In a letter sent to the World Heritage Centre in Paris, the Department of Natural Resources and Tourism says the 50km (30-mile) section of road across the park will "continue to be managed mainly for tourism and administrative purposes, as it is now".

BBC: Serengeti road scrapped over wildlife concerns

But this affair, besides its spectacular scale, coincides with slumps in tourism and natural resources, the mainstays of the region's poorer countries.

ECONOMIST: The Stanford affair

Many in the state consider this good news, but there are perpetual cries that tourism is eroding local culture, infrastructure and natural resources.

ECONOMIST: Planning for change in America's most expensive state

Excellent tourism infrastructure and facilities, business travel appeal, sustainable development of natural resources and rich cultural resources were among the key factors in landing the highest positions in the rankings.

CNN: World's unfriendliest nations for tourists?