Pros and cons of being a World Heritage Site

Published July 28, 2022

By Jose Arturo Morales Tirado

San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Atotonilco were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites in July 2008. This was a matter of great pride for the people of San Miguel, because it represented a major recognition of its value around the world. Fourteen years have passed since this designation, and it is a good time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of being a Heritage City.

It is important to distinguish the UNESCO designation from some of the other designations bestowed on the city by tourism magazines like Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure. The UNESCO declarations focus specifically on the natural and cultural, tangible and intangible heritage of San Miguel de Allende and Atotonilco. They have been recognized because of their exceptional features, considered to be of outstanding universal value.

The praises bestowed on the city by the specialized tourism magazines are purely commercial. They focus on marketing, and the economic repercussions from tourism. Therefore, these two designations are entirely different in their objectives and goals. However, the fact that our city is deemed to be special by both UNESCO, and the diverse magazines, has a similar effect on tourism, whether for better or for worse.

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