Exploring World Heritage & Sustainable Tourism through the Lens of Heinz Plenge

What can the beautiful images of Heinz Plenge, one of Peru’s most prominent photographers, teach us about world heritage and sustainable tourism? How are these two concepts related to each other and what role can digital technologies play in promoting sustainable tourism?

During the online event, these and many other questions will be discussed by Heinz Plenge and members of three UNESCO Chairs:

• Lorenzo Cantoni and Anna Picco-Schwendener (UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism and world heritage sites – Università della Svizzera italiana)
• Adine Gavazzi (UNESCO Chair in Anthropology of Health - Biosphere and Systems of Heal – Università di Genova)
• Sara Beatriz Guardia (Catédra UNESCO Patrimonio Cultural y Turismo Sostenible – Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Perù)

The protection of cultural, natural and mixed heritage has gained increased attention since the creation of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972, including the importance of preserving them for future generations. In this online conversation, we will discuss the importance of sustainable tourism and the challenges faced by world heritage sites today, through Heinz Plenge’s beautiful photographs.  

Photographer Heinz Plenge has traveled extensively through Peru and the world, capturing spectacular images of World Heritage. His photographs have been featured in publications such as National Geographic (English and Spanish Edition), Geo (Germany, France, Korea, and Spain), BBC Wildlife, Natural History, The New York Times Magazine, and many others.  In addition to being Peru’s most prominent nature and wildlife photographer, he has worked for many years on conservation and eco-tourism projects in his home country.

This conversation accompanies an upcoming online exhibition of Heinz Plenge’s photography on the topic of sustainable tourism and world heritage, designed and implemented by the students of USI's Master in Public Management and Policy (PMP) within the E-Government course. 

The event will be in English and Spanish and participation is free. To participate please register at the following link: https://www.unescochair.usi.ch/heinzplenge