How will it affect travel to the US
US withdrawal will take place December 31, 2026. The US will remain a member of UNESCO up until that time. A site’s inclusion in UNESCO doesn’t require an active membership. According to a UNESCO representative, the 26 World Heritage sites currently in the US won’t lose their UNESCO designation.
The US withdrawal from UNESCO will result in a loss of American power over future UNESCO funded and supported projects. At this time, 17 sites within the US are included on the list.tentative list” for consideration as an inscription on World Heritage List. Serpent Mound, in Ohio, has raised concerns about the future of these sites after their withdrawal. local media reported The site may now be “delayed by years in World Heritage nomination.”
Leigh Barnes is the President of Americas Intrepid Travel, a small group adventure tour company, has expressed concern about the possible impacts. “Stepping away from UNESCO risks reducing critical international support, funding, and technical expertise for their preservation—in areas like ecosystem protection, education leadership, and cultural heritage stewardship,” he says.
Barnes was concerned that the National Park Service could be negatively affected by the decision. The National Park Service manages many of the US World Heritage Sites and Barnes has been dealing with what he describes as “severe” domestic threats from staffing cutbacks and funding cuts. Nearly 25% of permanent National Park Service staff In 2025, this has already happened.
Barrett said that “the National Park Service had a reputation for incredible expertise. Its historians and archeologists were known as experts in climate change, wildlife biology, and history.” “And they all contributed to conserving values of the parks, but especially those that were World Heritage park values,” says Barrett.
What about international UNESCO Sites?
Azoulay stated that UNESCO had anticipated the US withdrawal and that the agency has taken steps to diversify its funding sources ever since the US left in 2018. US contributions represent 8% of UNESCO’s total budget.
Azoulay said that UNESCO will continue to carry out its mission despite “inevitably reduced resources” and that the organization does not plan layoffs for now.
A spokesperson from UNESCO says Condé Nast Traveler The agency says that they do not expect changes in the visitor experience of World Heritage sites due to the US withdrawal and that US tourists will always be welcomed on UNESCO sites. “The relationship between UNESCO’s and the American public will continue,” says the spokesperson.
