CBD GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES ON BIODIVERSITY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

GUIDELINES ON BIODIVERSITY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
International guidelines for activities related to sustainable tourism development in vulnerable terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity and protected areas, including fragile riparian and mountain ecosystems

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development

Published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal 2004. Copyright 2004, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity ISBN: 92-807-2468-1 …ver más…

His definition was officially adopted by IUCN in 1996. Though many definitions and models of ecotourism and sustainable tourism abound, all should meet the following criteria: provide for conservation of biological and cultural diversity, include meaningful community participation and be economically sustainable.

Foreword

Foreword
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries. It is also a source of increasing stress on fragile ecosystems. Its social, economic and environmental impacts are immense and complex, not least because tourism concentrates on vulnerable natural and cultural sites. Short-term gains may take precedence over long-term environmental considerations, such as the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. However, natural ecosystems and biological resources that may be threatened by tourism development provide the very goods and services that underpin the tourism industry. The challenge is therefore to ensure that tourism is developed in harmony with environmental considerations. Sustainable tourism can generate employment and income, thus providing a strong incentive for conservation. It can also raise public awareness of the many goods and services provided by biological diversity, and of the needs to respect traditional knowledge and practices. Sustainable tourism has the potential to reconcile economic and environmental concerns and