Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning 2020

2 1 nominations with sites in two or more countries, and working towards a more balanced geographical representation of properties on the World Heritage List.” As World Heritage sites are considered as the common heritage of the world, giving visitors unforgettable experiences is an important part of their value. Ottone believes the cruise industry has a significant role to play in helping to bring their stories to more people. “World Heritage properties are the top tourist destinations in the world, but storytelling is key to bring these sites alive. Through tour operators and guided shore excursion operators, the cruise industry helps Unesco continue to inspire visitors,” says Ottone. “One of Unesco’s key tourism initiatives is our partnership with Seabourn, which supports the implementation of the Unesco World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme and Unesco’s efforts to expand, promote and preserve World Heritage properties for future generations of travellers. For Seabourn’s guests, this alliance means that their travels are enhanced by deeper insight and behind-the-scenes information about World Heritage sites and projects. Expert speakers with special knowledge about World Heritage sites give presentations on Seabourn’s ships, meanwhile the fares for excursions to World Heritage properties include a donation to Unesco.” However, there is the potential for overtourism to negatively impact these sites, which are often fragile and vulnerable to damage. “Before the Covid-19 crisis, the popularity of World Heritage sites as tourist destinations was growing at a significant rate,” says Ottone. “However, this exponential growth came at an increasingly high price for both local communities and their cultural and natural heritage, which were straining World Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra, India are some of the most visited tourist attractions in the world “World Heritage properties are the top tourist destinations in the world, but storytelling is key to bringing these sites alive”