Cultural heritage, with its humanistic values, is seen as a tool for preserving historical memory and reinforcing cultural identity, while its socio-economic values have a significant impact on the tourism industry. However, the contemporary global context, characterized by rapid and often unsustainable development, has intensified challenges such as tourism massification, urbanization, and climate change. To address these challenges, the authors assume that contemporary society should find a balanced development model in which heritage management becomes an integrated part of sustainable tourism practices. Although the relationship between heritage, tourism, and sustainability has been extensively explored for more than four decades, existing research remains fragmented and lacks an integrated conceptual framework that systematically explains the interconnections between sustainable tourism and heritage management. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework and conduct a comprehensive literature review that synthesizes these processes, contributing to the existing body of knowledge and addressing identified research gaps. The conducted research indicates that contemporary approaches should enhance integrated heritage management plans, effective visitor management strategies, carrying capacity assessments, and continuous monitoring of tourism impacts. In this context, sustainable tourism and heritage management represent a coordinated process of planning and governance aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation of cultural and natural heritage resources while enabling responsible tourism development. By reviewing and synthesizing existing literature, this paper contributes to the theoretical advancement of sustainable tourism and heritage management studies through the development of an integrated conceptual framework that addresses existing research gaps and incorporates contemporary academic insights.

This paper addresses the challenges and perspectives of managing World Heritage Sites (WHS) in the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on balancing heritage management and sustainable tourism development. Mediterranean destinations increasingly face complex sustainability challenges, as tourism exerts growing pressure on unique natural and cultural resources. Recognizing the challenges faced by WHS presents an opportunity to reassess existing management models and reconsider prospects for sustainable development. The presented theoretical framework was tested on the examples of the Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč (Croatia) and the Early Christian Monuments in Ravenna (Italy). The qualitative methodology used included comparative content analyses of management plans and expert interviews, to evaluate the management models of the selected sites. Additionally, a pilot community survey was conducted, addressing a lack of local community inclusion in existing management models. By analysing selected WHS management elements, the results present the governance structures of the sites, stakeholder involvement, and conservation strategies, identifying key strengths and weaknesses in their management practices. The research findings suggest innovative practices and demonstrate how differing management approaches offer valuable lessons for improving the sustainable management of WHS across the Mediterranean.

The paper examines the current state and development prospects of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe within Istria County (Croatia). The authors began with the premise that Istria, being a cross-border, multicultural, and multilingual area distinguished by a unique cultural landscape, possesses significant potential for establishing European cultural routes. The research problem arises from the observation that the implementation of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Istria has remained in its initial stages of development, and that key stakeholders have not yet fully recognized the strategic potential of enhancing the region’s distinctive heritage through the establishment of transnational cultural routes. The research methodology employed a qualitative case study approach, incorporating both desk and field research, which involved interviews with representatives from key stakeholders. After conducting a literature review, this research presents a case study of Istria County. The analysis focuses on identifying existing challenges, developmental prospects, and recommended strategic measures concerning the implementation of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in the region. The findings indicate that European thematic cultural routes, recognized as the most accessible and cost-efficient forms of cultural tourism, can play a crucial role in reinforcing local identities and promoting sustainable economic development in the region. Istria County, as a cross-border area, has the potential to promote cultural routes as a model for the valorisation of shared European heritage and core European values.