Explore 5 new additions that make perfect stops for educational and cultural group tours
Each year, UNESCO adds new sites to its prestigious World Heritage List—locations recognized for their cultural, natural, or historical significance. In 2024, 24 new sites were inscribed, offering exciting new opportunities for group travel programs to explore places of exceptional value and global importance.
Whether your group is focused on history, science, environmental studies, or the arts, visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a meaningful educational experience rooted in real-world context.
What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location deemed to have outstanding universal value to humanity. These places are preserved for their cultural traditions, historic importance, natural beauty, or scientific relevance. Sites may be ancient ruins, architectural marvels, pristine ecosystems, or landscapes with deep cultural ties to local communities. Visiting one offers groups a rare opportunity to engage with a destination in a deeper, more enriching way.
Full List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Added in 2024
- Beijing Central Axis, China
- Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu, Romania
- Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake, Russia
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia, Romania
- Hegmataneh, Iran
- Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa
- Melka Kunture and Balchit, Ethiopia
- Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty, India
- Phu Phrabat, Thailand
- Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
- Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan
- Saint Hilarion Monastery / Tell Umm Amer, Palestine
- Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany
- Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Malaysia
- Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, Saudi Arabia
- The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa
- The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, Kenya
- Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan
- Via Appia. Regina Viarum, Italy
- Badain Jaran Desert – Towers of Sand and Lakes, China
- Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
- The Flow Country, United Kingdom
- Vjetrenica Cave, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands, France
5 Featured Sites Ideal for Groups:
1. Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands, France (French Polynesia)
Located in a remote region of French Polynesia, the Marquesas Islands were added to the list for their combined natural beauty and cultural legacy. The archipelago is home to dramatic volcanic peaks, lush forests, and sacred archaeological sites dating back over 1,000 years. These include ceremonial platforms, carved stone figures, and petroglyphs that speak to the deep spiritual traditions of the Marquesan people.
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
Groups visiting the Marquesas can explore the connections between nature and indigenous heritage through guided tours with local experts. This is a powerful site for programs focused on cultural preservation, anthropology, or ecological biodiversity. The island landscapes and local traditions offer a completely different lens on French heritage.
2. Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa
This new designation brings together a collection of sites connected to Nelson Mandela’s life and South Africa’s fight against apartheid. Key locations include Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, and Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, the site of the country’s Constitutional Court. These spaces tell the story of a nation’s transition from institutional racism to democracy.
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
For student or leadership-focused tours, these sites offer unmatched insight into political history, civil rights, and the role of moral courage. Walking through the spaces where history unfolded helps deepen understanding of justice, reconciliation, and resilience. Programs may include museum visits, talks with community leaders, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.
3. Via Appia. Regina Viarum, Italy
Known as the “Queen of Roads,” the Via Appia was one of the most important roads in the Roman Empire, stretching from Rome to the southern Adriatic coast. The route passes through ancient aqueducts, Roman villas, catacombs, and historic landscapes that reflect more than two thousand years of continuous use and preservation.
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
The Via Appia is an immersive way to study Roman engineering, urban development, and travel infrastructure. Groups can walk sections of the route, visit archaeological parks, and connect Rome’s modern urban fabric with its ancient past. Ideal for programs in history, archaeology, or classical studies.
4. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses is a surreal landscape of white sand dunes and seasonal freshwater lagoons located along Brazil’s northern coast. During the rainy season, rainwater fills the valleys between dunes, creating a unique and otherworldly environment. The park also supports endangered species and plays an important role in regional climate regulation.
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
Perfect for eco-tourism and environmental science programs, this site allows groups to study conservation, hydrology, and sustainable tourism practices. Activities may include hiking, kayaking in the lagoons, and wildlife observation—all with expert naturalist guides.
5. The Flow Country, United Kingdom (Scotland)
Located in northern Scotland, the Flow Country is the world’s largest expanse of blanket bog. These wetlands are critical for carbon capture, making the site a globally significant location in the fight against climate change. The area is also home to rare bird species, peatlands, and a unique ecosystem that has remained largely untouched.
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
An excellent destination for science-focused tours, particularly around climate, geology, and biodiversity. Visitors can explore boardwalk trails, peatland research stations, and conservation initiatives. The Flow Country offers a chance for hands-on learning in one of Europe’s most important natural landscapes.
Plan a Meaningful Group Experience
The addition of these new UNESCO World Heritage Sites opens the door to fresh learning opportunities across the globe. From the ancient streets of Italy to the wetlands of Scotland, these destinations offer more than sightseeing—they provide education, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage.
If you’re planning your next group trip, Contemporary Tours can help customize an itinerary around one of these newly recognized sites, tailoring the experience to meet your group’s academic or cultural goals.
Contact us to start planning your next educational or performance tour.
