ICTC participates at ICAHM meeting in Chile

ICOMOS Cultural Tourism (ICTC) participated in the Annual Meeting of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM) in Chile from May 8 to 16 2025, under the timely and pressing theme “Archaeological Sites and Cultural Landscapes in the Face of Global Challenges.” The event brought together experts in archaeology, conservation, heritage tourism, Indigenous heritage, and climate resilience from across the globe.

In addition to the technical visits, ICAHM 2025 featured a rich and diverse academic program, with sessions addressing some of the most pressing topics in archaeological heritage management today. Themes included climate change and site integrity, public archaeology and Indigenous knowledge, illicit trafficking and restitution, new technologies for interpretation, and landscape-based approaches to heritage. Keynote speeches by figures such as Adam Markham, Tess Davis, and Markus Reindel highlighted the urgency of adapting heritage practices to global environmental and ethical challenges. During the session on illicit trafficking and heritage protection, our ICTC colleague Margaret Gowen presented a paper titled “The Limitations of International Law Relating to the Restitution of Cultural Objects,” bringing an important perspective on the legal gaps and challenges still faced by heritage professionals.

ICTC Secretary-General Sofia Fonseca had the privilege of being invited to co-chair together with Cynthia Dunning-Thierstein the session on “Archaeological Heritage and Sustainable Tourism” at the ICAHM Annual Meeting 2025. The session brought together diverse and insightful contributions from Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with several remote presentations enriching the dialogue. The range of case studies showcased how cultural tourism, when rooted in local contexts, can promote sustainability, community empowerment, and resilience in the face of global challenges.

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