Visitor Management at UNWHS
A Case study of Taj Mahal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12727/ajts.24.5Keywords:
UN World Heritage Sites, Cultural Heritage Tourism, Visitor Management, Stakeholders, Preservation & ConservationAbstract
Studies have shown a significant increase in the number of visitors to the site after being featured on the UNWHS list which leads to visitation pressure and impacts thereof on the site. Visitor management at the UNWHS is the need of the hour. The paper aims to critically analyse the existing visitor management plan at the selected UNWHS - Taj Mahal, the second-best UNWHS in the world with more than 8 million visitors every year (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, tribuneindia.com, indiatoday. in, hindustantimes.com, 2017), and to suggest numerous proactive and reactive measures to bring about an effective Visitor Management strategy for the Site. The descriptive and exploratory research methodology has been used along with a mixed approach of both Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. Literature review of Visitor Management practices followed at UNWHS globally and an in-depth study of opinion of different groups – Site Managers, Travel agents, Guides, Visitors visiting the site helped conclude, that to defy the harmful impact of the visitation and to give an enhanced experience, an effective marketing plan with strict conservation and preservation practices have to be implemented in collaboration with locals, stakeholders and the government agencies
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