Principle 3

Conservation and Tourism Planning for Heritage Places should ensure that the Visitor Experience will be Worthwhile, Satisfying and Enjoyable.

3.1   Conservation and tourism programmes should present high quality information to optimize the visitor’s understanding of the significant heritage characteristics and of the need for their protection, enabling the visitor to enjoy the place in an appropriate manner.

3.2     Visitors should be able to experience the heritage place at their own pace, if they so choose. Specific circulation routes may be necessary to minimize impacts on the integrity and physical fabric of a place, its natural and cultural characteristics.

3.3     Respect for the sanctity of spiritual places, practices and traditions are an important consideration for site managers, visitors, policy makers, planners and tourism operators. Visitors should be encouraged to behave as welcomed guests, respecting the values and lifestyles of the host community, rejecting possible theft or illicit trade in cultural property and conducting them in a responsible manner which generates a renewed welcome, should they return.

3.4     Planning for tourism activities should provide appropriate facilities for the comfort, safety and well being of the visitor that chance the enjoyment of the visit but do not adversely impact on the significant features or ecological characteristics.