Why a Special Interest in World Heritage Sites?
World Heritage Sites are cultural and/or natural sites considered to be of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, which have been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.
World Heritage sites are places or buildings of special importance for everyone. They represent unique, or the most significant examples of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. In other words, they are universal treasures of special importance to future generations and our identity on this planet. World Heritage sites demand respect, special care and enlightened, inclusive management. They are places to cherish, that we can all learn from.
Because of their special status and character, many World Heritage sites attract growing numbers of tourists, which has become a mounting problem for many sites around the world. In August 2018, for example, the first ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) World Heritage Summit concluded these sites are in danger of being swamped by tourists. At the same time, the Summit concluded solutions for their successful management lie in creating a sense of ownership among local communities. Planet Happiness firmly recognises and aligns with this fundamental point and is focused upon engaging individuals and local communities in World Heritage sites.
At a time of growing international crisis, where issues related to climate change threaten our very survival, where trade wars threaten new rounds of economic collapse, where widening income divides threaten the cohesiveness of cities and nations, where growing numbers of people especially in materially rich nations suffer from depression and mental health issues, Planet Happiness believes now is the time to place individual and community happiness and well-being in the spotlight.
Innovations in travel are bringing more tourists to World Heritage sites. While internet technologies are disrupting accepted ways of doing business and fundamentally changing the dynamics and reach of social relationships, these same technologies offer new opportunities for individuals, communities and nation states to reconsider, measure and discuss their Happiness and Well-being.
By annually deploying the state of-the-art Happiness Index survey, Planet Happiness is enabling our readers and collaborators, together with destination residents and managers, to compare and contrast cultural differences in the way individuals and communities perceive and value their happiness and well-being. We believe the fruits of these discussions will allow stakeholder communities in and around tourism sites to better manage not just their tourism assets and systems, but also their happiness and quality-of-life.
In brief, Planet Happiness believes that over time, and together with Bhutan, World Heritage sites can become the planet's "Learning Centres for Happiness".
World Heritage sites are places or buildings of special importance for everyone. They represent unique, or the most significant examples of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. In other words, they are universal treasures of special importance to future generations and our identity on this planet. World Heritage sites demand respect, special care and enlightened, inclusive management. They are places to cherish, that we can all learn from.
Because of their special status and character, many World Heritage sites attract growing numbers of tourists, which has become a mounting problem for many sites around the world. In August 2018, for example, the first ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) World Heritage Summit concluded these sites are in danger of being swamped by tourists. At the same time, the Summit concluded solutions for their successful management lie in creating a sense of ownership among local communities. Planet Happiness firmly recognises and aligns with this fundamental point and is focused upon engaging individuals and local communities in World Heritage sites.
At a time of growing international crisis, where issues related to climate change threaten our very survival, where trade wars threaten new rounds of economic collapse, where widening income divides threaten the cohesiveness of cities and nations, where growing numbers of people especially in materially rich nations suffer from depression and mental health issues, Planet Happiness believes now is the time to place individual and community happiness and well-being in the spotlight.
Innovations in travel are bringing more tourists to World Heritage sites. While internet technologies are disrupting accepted ways of doing business and fundamentally changing the dynamics and reach of social relationships, these same technologies offer new opportunities for individuals, communities and nation states to reconsider, measure and discuss their Happiness and Well-being.
By annually deploying the state of-the-art Happiness Index survey, Planet Happiness is enabling our readers and collaborators, together with destination residents and managers, to compare and contrast cultural differences in the way individuals and communities perceive and value their happiness and well-being. We believe the fruits of these discussions will allow stakeholder communities in and around tourism sites to better manage not just their tourism assets and systems, but also their happiness and quality-of-life.
In brief, Planet Happiness believes that over time, and together with Bhutan, World Heritage sites can become the planet's "Learning Centres for Happiness".
