Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Training Programme

In the past decade, the Asia-Pacific region has seen a tremendous increase in tourist inflow, especially to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with an increasing number of people travelling specifically to gain a better understanding of the culture or heritage of a destination. This has led to greater demand from visitors not just for more in-depth knowledge of the sites but for meaningful interaction with the cultural heritage and surrounding communities.

However, increased tourism has also had negative effects upon sites and local stakeholders. In this regard, heritage guides can play an important role by educating visitors about the authentic values of heritage sites and codes of responsible conduct.

In response to these concerns, the UNESCO-ICCROM Asian Academy for Heritage Management (AAHM) launched the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Programme in 2005. The programme was developed under the South Asian Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Tourism Development Plan (TDP) sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This internationally-recognized training and certification programme, first launched in the SASEC and Greater Mekong region, is now being successfully implemented across many countries in Asia.

The programme seeks to raise the capacity of guides; improve heritage interpretation; foster safeguarding of heritage sites, particularly World Heritage sites; and increase socio-economic benefits for local communities throughout the sub-continent.

Launch of the India Programme
UNESCO New Delhi launched the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Programme in December 2007 with sponsorship from the Ministry of Tourism (India) and under a joint secretariat with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage(INTACH).

Objectives
The overall objective of the programme in India is to refresh the skills of those guiding visitors at heritage sites, with special and extended emphasis on specific themes. The programme aims to complement the existing certification courses of the Government of India and offers advanced training. The programme will:

provide accredited guides with the opportunity to strengthen their skills in interpreting heritage sites, with an emphasis on World Heritage Sites;

enhance the thematic knowledge for specific circuits;

enhance the educational experience of visitors (both local and international), leading to longer stays and repeat visits;

contribute to the sustainable safeguarding of UNESCO World Heritage sites by educating visitors about conservation issues and advocating codes of responsible conduct; and

benefit local communities by promoting their role as hosts and active participants in the cultural tourism industry.

Delhi Workshop on Buddhism, December 2007

Varanasi Workshop on Buddhism, December 2008

Leh Workshop on Buddhism, March 2009

Patna Workshop on Buddhism, March 2009

Hampi Workshop on Vijayanagara Art, Architecture and History, June 2009

Watch this space for upcoming workshops in other cities in India.

For more details about the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Programme managed by the UNESCO Bangkok Office click here

To download the brochure Click here

• Source:UNESCO New Delhi
• 18-05-2009