VISITOR MANAGEMENT AS A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE TOURISM: LESSONS FROM FASIL GHEBBI

International tourism has seen significant growth, with arrivals increasing by over 6% in the first half of 2018 and further expectations for growth in 2017 (UNWTO, 2018). In Africa, approximately 62 million tourists visited in 2016, and the continent experienced an 8% growth rate in international tourism by 2017 (Africa Development Bank, 2018). This rapid increase in global tourism has placed considerable strain on heritage sites, with many of these locations being managed unsustainably (Agnew & Demas, 2013). The adverse impacts of mass tourism on heritage preservation have raised concerns, bringing the issue of sustainability into sharp focus. The implementation of effective visitor management tools is crucial to enhancing sustainable tourism practices and mitigating the negative effects on cultural and natural heritage sites (Neto, 2003). This paper explores the challenges and strategies involved in managing heritage tourism sustainably, with a focus on the role of visitor management in ensuring long-term sustainability in tourism destinations.