Unesco World Heritage Centre News

Brazilian Tourist Board welcomes election of Rio as a World Heritage Site
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has become the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Urban Cultural Landscape category. So far sites listed in the category have included rural areas, traditional agricultural systems, historic gardens and places of religious significance.

Luxury Travel Group launches new UNESCO World Heritage Tour in Indochina
Vietnam’s first high end tour operator, Luxury Travel Vietnam, has just created a new tour with a focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indochina.

Kyoto chosen to close UNESCO 40th anniversary celebrations
Kyoto has been chosen as the venue to close the 40th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC). The announcement has been welcomed by the Kyoto Convention Bureau.

AnyTrip announces hotels with views of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
To encourage travellers to visit unusual places with historical significance that they otherwise may not be aware, AnyTrip.com, the budget travel specialists, today unveiled their collection of 15 cheap hotels with breath-taking views of UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites.

United States ceases UNESCO funding following Palestine vote
The United States has confirmed it will cease to fund the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation following a decision to allow Palestine full membership. US funds account for approximately a quarter of the total budget of the body, which plays a significant role in the promotion of tourism through its World Heritage Sites programme.

Four Seasons Maldives, a World Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO Declares Baa Atoll, Home to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, a World Biosphere Reserve. Resort’s conservation efforts contribute to important global designation.

Jazzman Herbie Hancock named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will designate American jazz musician Herbie Hancock as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 22 July.

World Heritage listing for Australia’s Ningaloo Coast
Western Australia’s stunning Ningaloo Coast has been added to the World Heritage List.

New World Heritage site in Central America
The number of World Heritage Sites in Central America has increased to 16, following the addition of the 18th century Cathedral in the city of Leon in Nicaragua to UNESCO’s World Heritage list, in recognition of its rich cultural, historic and artistic value.

UNESCO inscribes Korea’s 10th site on world heritage list
Korea’s list of UNESCO heritages continues to grow with the ‘Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong’ being the 10th site to be inscribed on the world cultural heritage list.
UNESCO World Heritage List 2010
With fewer than a thousand destinations afforded the prestigious honour, recognition by the UNESCO World Heritage List can catapult a national treasure to international fame. With just 21 additions to the list made this year, Breaking Travel News here takes a look at those which made the cut.
Campaign launched for World Heritage sites
Friends of World Heritage, Expedia and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre is launching the ‘I Am a Responsible Traveler’ campaign to encourage individuals to undertake a series of easy steps to reduce their traveling footprint and enhance their experiences when visiting World Heritage sites.