Site manager profiles

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on World Heritage sites around the world. At one point in April 2020, sites were entirely or partially closed in 90 per cent of countries, with grave consequences for the communities living in and around them. Financial losses were heavy due to the standstill of tourism. Without entrance fees into sites, visitor centres and museums, and an absence of clients for accommodation, restaurants and local cultural industries, the World Heritage properties and the communities around them suffered a substantial reduction of income.