Looking into the future through the past: A comprehensive review of managing tourism in world heritage sites (1989-2019)

World Heritage Sites (WHSs) have been increasingly the subject of tourism research over the past three decades. There have been numerous studies of tourism in particular WHSs, some research that compares multiple WHSs, and occasional reviews that focus on particular regions, topics, or issues. Yet no comprehensive review of academic research on tourism and WHSs has been conducted to synthesize the research effort. In response, this study adopts a meta-analysis approach, reviewing 374 research papers up till 2019, that examine tourism and WHSs. Preliminary findings highlight the focus of research on particular areas and types, such as Natural WHSs in Australia; primary quantitative data predominately collected through questionnaires; and themes relating to visitor, management, and stakeholder aspects. If we can access and understand the body of knowledge that has been generated by hundreds of studies of tourism and WHSs, we can be proactive to build on this knowledge and address the gaps that are important for the sustainable future of WHSs, and the tourism that occurs within these precious places.