ABOUT THE WORLD HERITAGE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism is a membership based initiative that works to support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around UNESCO World Heritage sites. The UN Foundation and Expedia, Inc. created the World Heritage Alliance in the fall of 2005 with the agreement of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism engages the travel industry to promote environmentally and economically sustainable business practices around World Heritage sites, educate travelers about the importance of responsible tourism around the sites, and support sustainable development of local communities around the sites.  Our goal is to galvanize widespread support for World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around World Heritage sites.

For a list of current WHA Members and Associate Partners click here.

World Heritage Alliance Member Commitments
World Heritage Alliance members are committed to:

• Adhering to the World Heritage Alliance principles to promote environmental, cultural and social responsibility;
• Educating travelers on responsible tourism in and around World Heritage sites; and
• Supporting local community tourism initiatives at World Heritage sites as an important means of site conservation and sustainable development.


World Heritage Alliance Membership Levels
The World Heritage Alliance offers two levels of partnerships depending on your company's type of business: WHA members and WHA associate partners.

WHA members consist of travel industry companies, such as hotels, tour operators, travel agents, airlines and cruises, among others. Learn more about member commitments. Discover how companies can join the Alliance's efforts.

WHA associate partners are NGOs, civil society groups, government bodies, media and other organizations not exclusively devoted to tourism. Learn more about partner commitments. Discover how organizations can join the Alliance's efforts.


For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.