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ABSTRACT
World Heritage sites must exhibit outstanding universal value, integrity, and authenticity. Based on this context, this study examined whether visitors to Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal (World Heritage Site inscribed under criteria vii in 1979) recognized it for its exceptional beauty and aesthetics. This study explored the basic concept of perceived park authenticity at this site, and associated factors that influenced the perception of World Heritage values. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 522 international visitors at the park. Exploratory factor analysis and ordinal logistic regression were used for analysis. Results indicated that visitors perceived the park to be authentic, preserved integrity, and constituted outstanding universal value. Additional regression results identified that overall trip satisfaction and educational level were statistically significant predictors of perceptions of authenticity, integrity and outstanding universal value of the park. Prior visits, substitutability of the park, age, and income were statistically significant predictors of perceptions of either authenticity, integrity or outstanding universal value of the park. Results suggest that emphasis on visitors‘ needs via interpretation and professional guides may solicit more favorable attitudes towards this site.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank visitors who participated in the survey for their generous help and time. The following scholars provided invaluable comments on the draft survey instrument: Sirgid Smith, Lukas Rinnhofer, Georgina Cullman, Malcolm McCallum, Kathy Frame, Aeshita Mukherjee, Alexandra Bosbeer, Yaniv Poria, and Yash Veer Bhatnagar.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nabin Baral
Nabin Baral is a research associate in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. He is interested in human dimensions of natural resource management, resilience of social–ecological systems, community-based conservation, sustainable tourism and protected areas management. His research focuses on deciphering the intricate linkages between nature and society. He has published more than 20 papers in international journals.
Helen Hazen
Helen Hazen is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Denver. Her research interests revolve around the diversity of ways that humans interact with their environment and have focused to date on human health and conservation of the natural environment.
Brijesh Thapa
Brijesh Thapa is a professor in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management at the University of Florida. He is also an affiliate faculty in multiple academic units. His research theme is within the nexus of tourism, conservation and sustainability. In this context, he has explored specific issues and associated linkages from a developed and developing country's standpoint largely among key stakeholder groups.