Site of Palmyra, Syria.
Top 10 sites with the highest amount of endangering factors – 80% of the top 10 sites are affected by issues related to ‘War/Conflict’, along with ‘Urbanisation’ and ‘Tourism’.
Did you know there are 54 World Heritage Sites around the world that are listed as 'in danger' by UNESCO?
From old cities buckling under the impact of tourism to historic monuments ravaged by climate change, it's no wonder that a number of heritage sites around the world are endangered. Tour provider On The Go Tours created a graphic that looks at these World Heritage Sites and analysed which factors are impacting them and putting them under threat.
Here's what they found:
- Top 10 sites with the highest amount of endangering factors – 80% of the top 10 sites are affected by issues related to 'War/Conflict', along with 'Urbanisation' and 'Tourism'.
- The country with the most endangered World Heritage Sites – Syria has six locations on the endangered list and includes the Ancient City of Aleppo and the Archaeological Site of Sabratha. All of the six sites are affected by issues relating to 'War/Conflict' and 'Urbanisation'.
- Urbanisation is the most dangerous factor – In total, there are 287 individual threats to the sites, 86 of these threats fall under the 'Urbanisation' category and includes livestock farming, housing and transport infrastructure. 'Politics' follows closely behind with 66 threats.
- Tourism is the least threatening factor – Just 13 of the 287 individual threats fall under the 'Tourism' category and includes threats such as impacts of visitors, accommodation for visitors and society's value of heritage.
- The sites most affected by:
– War – Old City of Sana'a. Yemen, Asia.
– Environmental factors – East Rennell. The Solomon Islands, Oceania.
– Politics – The Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz. Uzbekistan, Asia.
– Urbanisation – Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. Honduras, North America
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
