Indicadores de monitoreo de impacto del turismo en parques nacionales designados sitios de patrimonio mundial

The current tourist trend is marked by the search for unique travel experiences, which influences a greater influx to sites of world heritage. This represents an opportunity for socio-economic development for local communities living within or near these sites, however any tourism initiative must surely be founded on the sustainable use of the site. Sustainable use of the site is bound to turn a competitive strategy, tourist destinations because they operate in a competitive environment and protected natural areas that support visitation, are not separate from this dynamic. In order to keep the tourist use within a safe margin that does not jeopardize the integrity of the site, managers put in place monitoring programs. This article analyzes the monitoring indicators applied in four national parks around the world that have the distinction of being world heritage site. The purpose of analysis was used to confirm that the indicators do not correspond to the three dimensions of sustainability and therefore would not be able to contribute to the competitiveness of tourist destinations enough.