The Application Of World Heritage Authenticity Conservation In Sustainable Tourism Development

Since United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization adopted the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage in 1972,the authenticity status of the heritage properties,as being fundamental criterion for inclusion on the World Heritage List,has been regarded as the major testimony that ensure the originality and credibility of heritage property’s cultural background,as well as basis and core of heritage protection.On the other hand,in tourism field,many scholars applied the authenticity concept from different perspectives,such as objectivism,constructivism,existentialism and post-modernism,so as to define tourist’s search for experiencing his authentic tradition,history and cultural background by regarding authenticity as a major motivation for tourism activities.Along with the development of cultural tourism,the Cultural World Heritage Sites have become important tourist destinations.The authenticity status of the heritage properties,especially if well preserved,has a great attraction for tourists,thus turned into an important sustainable value for heritage tourism development.By taking Dazu Rock Carvings World Heritage Site as research area,taking Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hand and Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana statues of Mt.Baoding Cliff as example,this research analyzed the authenticity status of this heritage sited and its attractiveness in light of sustainable tourism development of Dazu Rock Carvings.In the first place,considering that authenticity concept is a notion hard to define,a comprehensive literature review was conducted in the context of conceptualization process of authenticity concept in heritage conservation and tourism studies,so as to establish a solid basis for the case study.In the context of heritage conservation,by taking the Venice Charter,the Nara Document on Authenticity,the Operational Guidelines for Implementation of the World Heritage Convention and relevant research as fundamental references,this research revealed the role of authenticity concept during the process of inclusion on the World Heritage List as well as its importance in protection projects.Based on theoretical approaches stated by some of the prominent scholars such as Boorstin,MacCannel,Cohen and Wang,conducted a thorough investigation into development of authenticity concept in tourism research field,and explained the notion of this concept from different perspectives.Furthermore,considering authenticity concept as sustainable value of tourism development,its role in sustainable development of heritage tourism was revealed.Moreover,the inclusion course of Chinese World Heritage Sites was investigated.This research analyzed the authenticity status of Dazu Rock Carvings World Heritage Site in the context of form and design;location and setting;material and substance;tradition,technique and management system.In addition to that,natural damages that heritage properties face with were investigated,and basic function of authenticity in conservation projects of Dazu Rock Carvings was explained by evaluating protection theories and practices of this heritage site.On the base of Operational Guidelines for Implementation of the World Heritage Convention,this research conducted a profound investigation into authenticity status of Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hand and Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana statues by conducting in-situ survey and holding interview with administrators of Dazu Rock Carvings in Mt.Baoding Cliff.Especially in the contexts of form and design,and tradition,technique and management system,authenticity of tangible and intangible aspects of these statues was examined.This research displayed the efficient implementation of conservation projects to preserve authenticity status by investigating the damage,which caused by natural phenomenon,that these statues suffer from.In the context of sustainable development of heritage tourism in Dazu Rock Carvings,proceeding from the success that gained in protection and restoration projects of these statues,this study objectively analyzed the authenticity status of Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hand and Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana statues in the aspects of "rational use",attraction power and interpretation and presentation.According to the result of the research that mentioned above,this study states:1)Authenticity status is a key value of cultural heritage property that must be protected,as well as a fundamental factor of sustainable development of heritage tourism which maintain the balance between protection and utilizing.2)Dazu Rock Carvings World Heritage Site meets the authenticity criteria in the aspects of form and design;location and setting;material and substance;tradition,technique and management system.Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hand and Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana statues perfectly maintain their authenticity status;conservation projects of Dazu Rock Carvings ensure long-lasting preservation of authenticity status of these statues by strictly abiding by authenticity principle,applying affective protection measures and avoiding altering original status of the statues during restoration process.3)As being representative properties of Dazu Rock Carvings,Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hand and Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana statues play an important role in sustainable tourism development of this heritage site with their great attraction power.