SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AS A DRIVING FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES : Case Study: Lumbini - The Birthplace of Gautama Buddha

The purpose of this thesis was to find out the role of sustainability for the development of cultural heritage sites. It was mainly targeted to know the importance of cultural heritage in tourism industry and its impact and ways to develop sustainable tourism in those sites. The case study of Lumbini (the birthplace of Gautama Buddha) was taken as the research project to analyze and interpret the significance and process of sustainability. The thesis suggested that tourism in cultural heritage sites should ensure three pillars of sustainability: environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability for the long-term success and development of cultural and heritage tourism. The world heritage sites were taken as important part of cultural heritage to define the importance of cultural heritage in tourism industry. The thesis explained the need of active involvement of local people, tourism operators, government and non-governmental organizations for the preservation and promotion of cultural values, heritages and traditions. On the case study of Lumbini the research revealed that Lumbini is one of the significant places for humankind. It was found that Lumbini needs an urgent sustainable tourism management plan to monitor and implement the development activities. The study also revealed that the participation of the local people and concerned organizations in safeguarding the cultural assets of Lumbini was insufficient. The study suggested that sustainable business practices should be adopted and implemented in this particular site for its feasible development