Erika Harms,
Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation

Erika Harms is the executive director of sustainable development at the United Nations Foundation, where she oversees World Heritage, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental conservation projects in developing countries. She joined the UN Foundation in 2001, previously serving as partnership development officer.

Before joining the UN Foundation, Ms. Harms was appointed Minister Counselor and Consul General by the Government of Costa Rica. In that capacity she also served as Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. Previous to her diplomatic career, she had been marketing manager for Central America and the Caribbean for Monsanto Corporation. Prior designations with the same company included country manager for Panama and coordinator of the Central American Sustainability Team. Serving as a consultant in environmental law and policies for the government of Costa Rica, the World Bank and local and international NGOs from 1989 to 1995 played an important role in her increasing interest in environmental issues.

A 1991 graduate of the University of Costa Rica's Law School, Ms. Harms holds a degree of Attorney at Law and Notary Public. In 1995 she obtained a masters on Natural Resource Management from INCAE, Central American Institute of Business Administration, in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Born in Costa Rica, Ms. Harms native languages are Spanish and German.

Roca Hachem,
Programme Specialist for Culture, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNSECO)

Ms Roca Hachem is the Programme Specialist for Culture in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office attached to the UN in New York. She arrived in September 2007, and her liaison position covers a wide scope of cultural issues including World Heritage, indigenous peoples, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, and the protection of cultural objects.

An American lawyer, Ms Roca Hachem has been with UNESCO, at their Paris Headquarters, since 1994. Prior to her arrival in New York, she worked in the Division of Cultural Heritage, focusing on illicit trafficking in and return and restitution of cultural objects. In her work relating to trafficking and restitution of cultural property, she has published several booklets for UNESCO as well as independent articles. Before joining UNESCO, Ms Roca-Hachem practiced in a private law firm in Washington, DC.

What is World Heritage?

World Heritage sites are places around the world that have been internationally recognized for their outstanding value as natural and cultural treasures. Sites currently on the World Heritage List include Independence Hall, Stonehenge, the Galapagos Islands, the parks, forests and wildlife reserves of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the historic Centre of Prague, the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China.

All sites are protected by the 1972 World Heritage Convention, signed to date by 185 countries and administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), making it one of the most universal international legal instruments for the protection of cultural and natural heritage. While fully respecting the national sovereignty, the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention recognize that the protection of our World Heritage is the duty of the international community as a whole. There are currently 878 World Heritage sites (679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties) in 145 countries.

What is the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism?

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism is an industry-leading initiative that works to support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around UNESCO World Heritage sites. The UN Foundation and Expedia, Inc. created the World Heritage Alliance in the fall of 2005 with the agreement of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism engages the travel industry to promote environmentally and economically sustainable business practices around World Heritage sites, educate travelers about the importance of responsible tourism around the sites, and support sustainable development of local communities around the sites. Our goal is to galvanize widespread support for World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around World Heritage sites. For a full list, visit www.worldheritagealliance.org/how_to_join.htm.

Why is it important to preserve and protect World Heritage sites?

World Heritage sites–whether natural, cultural, or both–are centers of pride and identity and sources of income that can sustain local communities. The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism seeks to establish and promote a tourism infrastructure that promotes the physical conservation of World Heritage sites and the sustainable economic development of surrounding communities.

What is sustainable tourism?

The World Heritage Alliance Principles, which are based off of National Geographic’s Geotourism Charter, define sustainable tourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Unlike eco-tourism, which in most cases is concerned only with environmental impacts, sustainable tourism encourages the development of practices that are environmentally, culturally, and economically sustainable.

Isn't there an inherent contradiction between the increased visibility the World Heritage designation brings to these sites, and efforts to preserve them?

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism believes that it is possible to both promote and preserve World Heritage through sustainable tourism. Unchecked, tourism can provide one of the greatest threats to the integrity of World Heritage sites. But by engaging a wide variety of tourism companies and organizations in sustainable tourism, the World Heritage Alliance can serve as a catalyst for the promotion and protection of World Heritage sites.

How is the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism engaging the travel industry?

The WHA engages travel industry members by securing their commitment to promote sustainable travel to World Heritage sites. Alliance partners also are required to participate in training programs on World Heritage and sustainable tourism, engage customers through outreach materials, partner with sustainable and local suppliers in and around World Heritage sites, engage company employees, create or sponsor a community-based development project, and advocate for policy in support of sustainable tourism to, and conservation of, World Heritage sites. In addition, all WHA partners must meet and abide by the World Heritage Alliance Principles, showing their commitment to social responsibility, community benefit, tourist satisfaction and minimizing their environmental impact on tourist destinations.

In addition, the WHA provides training for the wider travel industry around select World Heritage sites to encourage sustainable tourism development. To date, close to 600 people in seven countries have been trained.

How big is the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism?

To date, there are over 60 members and partners of the World Heritage Alliance. These include:
Two founding partners: Expedia, Inc. and the UN Foundation;

37 travel industry members: Bacalar Chico Expediations, Baja Expeditions, Black Orchid Resort, California State Automobile Association, Casona de la China Poblana Hotel Boutique, Ecoaventuras- La Duna Centro Ecológico, El Ángel Azul, El Sueño Hotel and Spa, Estrella de Belem Bed & Breakfast & Spa, Exotica Cottage Resort, Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Green Hotels of Costa Rica, Grupo Islita, Grupo Plan, Hawaii Forest & Trail, Hilo Coffee Mill, Hotel Boutique Antigua Alqueria de Carrión, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Jungle Trekking Adventures & Safaris, La Quinta Luna, Lodge at Chaa Creek, Mandarin Oriental Miami and Riviera Maya, Maroma Resort and Spa (Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises), Mayaland Resorts Group, Mesón de Capuchinas, Mesones Sacristia, NatureAir, Paraiso de la Bonita Resort and Thalasso, Radar Tours, Reefs to Rockies, Solimar Travel, Tres Ríos, Wild Orchid Tours, Wirta Hospitality Worldwide and Whipray Caye Lodge; and

30 associate partners: Abraham Path Initiative, Academex Digital Publishing, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, Banff Heritage Tourism Corporation, Belize Tourism Board, Belize Tourism Industry Association, Big Island Visitors Bureau, Ecology Project International, EC3 Global, Destination Ventures, Discover Dominica Tourism Authority, Everglades National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, International Community Foundation, International Tourism Partnership, San Juan National Historic Site, Mexico Boutique Hotels, Mexico Tourism Board, Ministry of Antiquities & Tourism of Jordan, Municipality of Atlixco, Municipality of Puebla, Municipality of San Juan, Petra National Trust, Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, Rainforest Alliance, Responsible Business Alliance, Secretary of Tourism for Mexico (SECTUR) , Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparajá, Solimar International and USAID-Siyaha.

Where is the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism implementing its programs?

The WHA works in 6 countries to aid in the conservation of 20 World Heritage sites. Global education and awareness building of World Heritage conservation and sustainable tourism are also taking place.
Mexico (8 WHS): Sian Ka’an, Chichen Itza, Puebla, Uxmal, Campeche, Islands of the Sea of Cortes, El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary, Sierra de San Francisco.
Costa Rica (3 WHS): Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Cocos Islands, La Amistad
Belize (1 WHS): Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Jordan (3 WHS): Petra; Quesir Amra; Um er-Rasas
Dominica (1 WHS): Morne Trois Pitons National Park
United States (3 WHS): La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Everglades National Park

What is unique about the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism?

The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism is one of many tools and initiatives that work to foster sustainable tourism. The World Heritage Alliance is unique in its mission to engage the travel industry in the protection of World Heritage sites and sustainable economic development of surrounding communities.