As part of the continuing cooperation between UNESCO and IFT in various aspects related to heritage management, Dr. Sharif Shams Imon and Dr. Ong Chin Ee of IFT's Heritage Studies Centre visited the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mount Sanqingshan National Park from 15 to 20 August 2011 to provide technical advisory services on issues relating to visitor management and development of a tourism management plan for the site. Mount Sanqingshan National Park is located in the west of the Huaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province and was inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008 for its outstanding natural beauty. During the visit, the team met with local authorities, familiarised themselves with the organisational arrangements relating to the preparation of the tourism plan, identified key tourism issues associated with the site and identified, discussed and shared ideas with local authorities and management staff on the essential requirements of an effective tourism plan. In addition, a training session attended by more than 40 officials and staff members of the site management office, was conducted in order to provide the related parties more knowledge on protection and management of heritage sites. Appointed the Knowledge Management Hub of the Asian Academy of Heritage Management (AAHM) by UNESCO and ICCROM in 2009, IFT has maintained close collaborative relations with UNESCO. In 2010, IFT was invited to provide customised training to curriculum developers, managers and trainers of Mount Lushan World Heritage Office. This year it was invited again by UNESCO to provide consultancy service and training to the management staff of Mount Sanqingshan World Heritage Office and local authorities with aims at strengthening their management skills and enhancing their awareness on site protection.
