Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR NATURE-BASED TOURISM SECOND EDITION LED BY SUPPORTED BY i Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism SUPPORTED BY LED BY ©2022 The World Bank Group 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org All rights reserved. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. 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Editor: Simi Mishra Design: Roots Advertising Services Photo Credit: Shutterstock, iStock, Pixabay ii Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism iv Table of Contents Acknowledgments 4 Dedication 4 Abbreviations and Acronyms 5 1 Overview 6 2 Background 9 2.1 Purpose of the Review 10 2.2 Scope 10 2.3 Target Audience 14 2.4 Approach 14 3 Why is Nature-Based Tourism Important? 15 3.1 World Bank Group Initiatives on Nature-Based Tourism 16 3.2 International Agreements 17 4 Tools and Resources 20 4.1 Key Concepts of Nature-Based Tourism 21 Nature-Based Tourism and Ecotourism 21 Protected Areas 22 Wildlife Tourism 24 Hunting 24 Regional and National Guidance 24 Specific Ecosystems and Habitats 25 4.2 Enabling Policy Environment and Planning 26 Policy Frameworks 27 International Planning Guidance 28 Regional and National Planning 29 4.3 Concessions and Partnership Models 31 International Guidance 31 Regional and National Guidance 34 4.4 Destination Management 36 Guidance for Different Types of Natural Assets 38 4.5 Infrastructure and Facilities 43 Accommodation 43 Visitor Infrastructure and Facilities 43 4.6 Visitor Management 45 Visitor Management Tools 45 1 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 4.7 Nature-Based Enterprise Development 49 Financing Nature-Based Tourism Products 50 Guidance for Varied Tourism Products 54 Regional and National Guidance 57 4.8 Impacts of Nature-Based Tourism 59 Environmental Impacts 59 Economic and Financial Impacts 62 Social and Cultural Impacts 72 4.9 Risk Management and Climate Change 74 4.10 Monitoring and Evaluation 76 5 COVID-19 Pandemic 80 5.1 Policy Papers 81 5.2 Impacts of the Pandemic on Nature-Based Tourism 81 5.3 Nature-Based Tourism Recovery and Resilience 83 6 Training Materials 86 7 Networks and Institutions 89 8 Conclusion 97 8.1 Gaps in Resources and Priorities 98 8.2 Providing a Home for Resources 101 9 Endnotes 102 Tables Table 1: Nature-based tourism terms and definitions 10 Table 2: Where to find resources responding to your needs 12 Table 3: Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to tourism 18 Table 4: IUCN Protected Area Categories and their management approach to tourism 23 Table 5: Examples of sustainable consumption and production policy instruments in use in tourism destinations at different stages of the tourism product life cycle 28 Table 6: Ten principles of tourism and visitor management in protected areas 46 Table 7: Indicative visitor uses in protected areas 47 Table 8: Sources of finance for nature-based tourism, and examples 50 Table 9: List of key gaps in resources cutting across priority areas of intervention 99 Figures Figure 1: Nature-based tourism topics 11 Figure 2: Types of nature-based tourism tools and resources 11 2 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 3: WWF’s Conservation Travel Readiness Scorecard 29 Figure 4: Flow diagram for deciding whether to insource or outsource 32 Figure 5: Active transportation in United States National Parks 45 Figure 6: The conservation marketing equation 49 Figure 7: Cost components of safari and mountain climbing packages in Tanzania 70 Figure 8: Tourism related-threats in protected areas 75 Figure 9: Global Database Protected Areas Visitors (GD-PAVIS) 78 Figure 10: Modeled monthly income loss from no tourism 83 Figure 11: Contents of tourism and conservation – sustainable models and strategies 88 Figure 12: DestiNet’s Tourism2030 Green Travel Maps App 92 Boxes Box 1: Best practice guidance for snorkeling 26 Box 2: Case study: Transboundary ecotourism in the Kangchenjunga Landscape: Opportunities for sustainable development through regional cooperation (2019) 30 Box 3: Case study: Assessment of natural resources for nature-based tourism: The case of the Central Coast Region of Western Australia (2001) 31 Box 4: Case studies on joint ventures and partnerships in conservation areas 33 Box 5: Case study: Best practices on tourism concessions in protected areas from Latin America: Chile (2010) 35 Box 6: Case study: Conservation and development in Mozambique: Lessons from the Transfrontier Conservation Areas Program and new perspectives for the Mozbio Program (2015) 36 Box 7: Typology of vulnerable destinations 37 Box 8: Case study: Improving trails and visitor experiences in Peaks National Park, St. Helena (2020) 44 Box 9: Increasing equity of Damaraland Camp for the Torra Conservancy, Namibia 53 Box 10: Case study on assessing tourism potential: Assessment of nature-based tourism in South Kelantan, Malaysia (2001) 57 Box 11: Examples of good practices in nature-based tourism operations 58 Box 12: Visitor engagement in species identification and research 62 Box 13: Key findings from Economic Impact of Global Wildlife Tourism (2019) 63 Box 14: Studies on tourists’ willingness to pay for nature-based tourism 65 Box 15: Visitor spending effects from national parks in the United States in 2021 66 Box 16: The value of birding tourism in different countries and maximizing tourism potential 71 Box 17: Case studies of community-based ecotourism 74 Box 18: Case study: Assessment of natural resources for nature-based tourism: the case of the Central Coast Region of Western Australia (2001) 76 Box 19: Citizen science for monitoring of NBT 77 Box 20: Case study: Assessment of nature-based tourism business and tourist demand in Vlora Bay and Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, Albania (2016) 78 Box 21: Use of certification to ensure best practice NBT in protected areas in Australia 79 3 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Acknowledgments This report is written by Anna Spenceley, with substantial input from Urvashi Narain. We thank Claudia Sobrevila, Lisa Farroway, Hasita Bhammar, Wendy Li, Elisson Wright, Chris Seek, Vanessa Satur, and Andrew Rylance for their guidance. This publication was peer-reviewed by Maurice Andres Rawlins, Andre Aquino, Hermione Neville, Tijen Arin, and Benoit Blarel. We thank the following individuals and organizations who participated in the stakeholder consultations for this report: Tharwat Abouraya, Marissa Altmann, Claudia del Valle Andreis, Daysy Angeles, Nikhil Advani, Ana Baez, Debora Barioni, Jerry Bauer, Tim Bamford, James R. Barborak, Natalie Beckett, Oda S. Beltran, Phil Biden, Thomas Breuer, Alejandra Carminati, Leslie Carlisle, Susan Cardenas, Enrique Cabanilla, Lisa Cheesman, Brian Child, Cher Chua-Lassalvy, Sarwat Chowdhury, Arnau Texidor Costa, Calvin Cottar, Tania Curry, Ivana Damnjanovic, Carla Danelutti, Valentina Dinica, Richard W. Diggle, Dexter Bernhard Dombro, Andy Drumm, Randy Durband, Ehab Eid, Nihal Ellegala, Imad Farhat, Shane Feyers, Virginia Fernandez-Trapa, David Fennell, Juan Ricardo Gómez, Roxana Goldstein, Yogani Govender, Ronda Green, Stephan Grapentin, Sofía Gutiérrez, Pradeep Mahapatra, Oliver Hillel, Dale Honeck, Carl Huchzermeyer, Glen Hvenegaard, John J. Jackson III, Mike Jebson, David Kaczan, Shaanti Kapila, Liisa Kajala, Raymond Katebaka, Chloe King, Helen Klimmek, Jon Kohl, Verónica Kunze, Donald Leadbetter, Natasha Leader, Amy Chua Fang Lim, Chi Lo, Lisa Majewski, Julian Matthews, Kerry Maree, Rachel McCaffery, Saquib Mehmood, Mirzonazar Mirzoev, Rob Morley, Christian Müller, Eduardo Najera-Hillman, Hermógenes Henrique Oliveira Nascimento, Giuseppe Nerilli, David Newsome, Germain Ngandjui, Milena Nikolova, Steve Noakes, Flavio Ojidos, Willeen Olivier, Bogdan Papuc, Jean-Yves Paille, Dan Paleczny, Christine Pang, Claire Parfitt, Carlos Pelli, Skipper Pete, Helena Rey de Assis, Salto Morato Natural Reserve, Jessica Rizzolo, Vivienne, Solis Rivera, Angus M Robinson, Chris Roche, Katherine Ross, Mark Ryan, Carlos Luis Sandi, Fabrizio Santini, James Sano, Jeremy Sampson, Mahmoud Sarhan, Trevor Sandwith, Veronica Santamaria, Jeffrey Sayer, Oldrich van Schalkwyk, Philipp Schägner, Natalie Sellier, Richard Shepard, Gordon Sillence, Jeremy Smith, Sue Snyman, Richard Sowry, James Seward, Thiago do Val Simardi Beraldo Souza, Juraj Svajda, Jamie Sweeting, Zenon Tederko, Cathy Cullinane Thomas, Ronnie K. Thiyam, Holly Tuppen, Daniel Turner, Mel Turner, Louise Twining-Ward, Carlos Vasquez, Graham Webb, Maria Cristina Weyland Vieira, Francis Vorhies, Mark Willuhn, Linda Wong, Megan Epler Wood, and Elisson Wright. Dedication This report is dedicated to Dr. Claudia Sobrevila, Senior Environmental Specialist and Global Wildlife Program Manager at the World Bank, who sadly passed away in 2019 during the production of the first edition. Dr. Sobrevila provided insightful guidance and helped conceptualize this report. 4 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Abbreviations and Acronyms ACCT Africa Conservation and Communities Trust Fund CEETO Central Europe Eco-Tourism: Tools for Nature Protection CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CI Conservation International CoP Community of Practice EEN European Ecotourism Network EU European Union GD-PAVIS Global database protected areas visitors GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GEN Global Ecotourism Network GIS Geographical Information System GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Council GWP Global Wildlife Program IFC International Finance Corporation IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature LEWIE Local Economy-Wide Impact Evaluation MPA Marine Protected Area M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEET Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism NACSO Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations NBT Nature-based tourism NGO Nongovernmental organization NPS National Park Service (United States) PA Protected Area PATA Pacific Asia Tourism Association PPP Public-Private Partnership SADC Southern African Development Community SDG United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SERPAT Spectra for the Ecological Regulation of Protected Areas and Tourism SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analyses TAPAS Group IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group TIES The International Ecotourism Society TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization USAID United States Agency for International Development VERP Visitor experience and resource protection framework VMAST UNESCO’s Visitor Management Assessment and Strategy Tool VSE Visitor Spending Effects Model WCPA World Commission on Protected Areas WCS Wildlife Conservation Society WHS UNESCO World Heritage Site WTP Willingness to pay WTTC World Travel & Tourism Council WWF World Wildlife Fund All currency in this publication is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. 5 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 1 Overview 6 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Note on the release of the second edition of Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism: Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have reverberated across the tourism sector since the publication of this report in July 2020. Those working in nature-based tourism, from tour operators to community organizations to protected area authorities, have faced particular challenges – and opportunities – as tourism revenues plummeted and slowly rebound. This second edition aims to collect and share the many resources that have emerged over the last two years to support nature-based tourism destinations and stakeholders to recover and reset in the face of the pandemic. A new chapter has been added on COVID-19 resources. In addition, other major new and updated nature-based tourism resources have been added to the report and its associated database. N ature-based tourism (NBT) plays an important role This report is a comprehensive review of the tools, in sustainable development. It can support poverty resources, institutions, and platforms available to help alleviation, economic growth, and biodiversity nature-based tourism, development, and conservation conservation and contribute to key global agreements and practitioners prepare and implement projects that frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable integrate NBT and can strengthen the link between Development. NBT’s singular potential to create jobs and conservation and development. Trusted resources growth, while protecting wildlife and ecosystems, makes covering the core components of NBT were identified it an enticing prospect for developing countries seeking to through a desk and literature review and consultations align those interests. with over 120 tourism experts. The resulting compilation provides guidance for practitioners at every stage of a Yet, the relationship between NBT and poverty reduction is project – from preparation and design to implementation not straightforward. The implementation of nature-based and evaluation. Resources are organized into the following tourism and safeguarding of underlying natural assets themes, with many covering multiple topics: depends on a diverse set of conditions. NBT practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders are continuously developing 1. Key Concepts of Nature-Based Tourism: Key and refining tools, guidelines, and practices and learning concepts and best practices for different regions, from previous efforts in order to realize its optimal benefits. ecosystems, and types of NBT, including ecotourism and wildlife tourism. The World Bank invests in nature as an asset that creates 2. Enabling Policy Environment and Planning: Legal jobs to support economic development and promote and institutional frameworks and arrangements and environmental conservation. In response to the growing planning toolkits for NBT. demand from countries in recent years, the World Bank 3. Concessions and Partnership Models: Guidelines has invested in a $1.2 billion portfolio of projects with NBT and tools for enabling partnerships, including those components. Furthermore, over half of the 37 national with the private sector, to deliver tourism in protected projects approved under the Global Environment Facility areas (PAs). (GEF)-funded, World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program 4. Destination Management: Guidelines, best (GWP),1 include work on NBT, showing the significance of practices, and case studies to support NBT planning this opportunity to countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin for destinations. America and the Caribbean. 7 Overview 5. Infrastructure and Facilities: Resources to guide The compilation demonstrates that substantial work the development of infrastructure that supports has been done, reflecting the importance of NBT for conservation objectives. conservation and development across the world. But 6. Visitor Management: Principles and frameworks despite the diversity and depth of the resources identified, for managing visitor use to avoid or reduce adverse many of the resources currently available are not widely impacts from tourism. known or used, and gaps remain as a consequence. The report is therefore complemented by a resource database, 7. Nature-Based Enterprise Development: Information a one-stop platform for NBT tools and resources that is for individuals and enterprises that want to plan, comprehensive and searchable by keywords. Practitioners design, and operate sustainable NBT, including can easily find and access materials by topic or type. The guidance on product development, financing market database will be hosted by the Global Wildlife Program segmentation, marketing, and communications. and readers are invited to help maintain it by contributing 8. Impacts of Nature-Based Tourism: Analyses of the links to new resources. impacts of NBT on natural habitats, biodiversity, local economies and livelihoods, skills, culture and society, The review also found that while certain priority themes and tourists. are emerging for NBT practitioners, they remain under- 9. Risk Management and Climate Change: researched and are therefore not sufficiently covered by Strategies for analyzing and reducing risk, including resources listed in this compilation. These knowledge climate change. gaps relate to undertourism and overtourism (particularly 10. Monitoring and Evaluation: Guidance and tools for relating to the dramatic decline during the COVID-19 monitoring and evaluating NBT, including standards, pandemic, followed by a resurgence of NBT subsequently), indicators, statistics, and certification systems. climate change resilience and adaptation in NBT, hunting 11. COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy papers, impacts of the standards, gender equity, and the use of digital technology pandemic, and guidance for operating NBT during to improve resilience. The cross-cutting issues of gender and post-pandemic recovery. and digital technology have considerable potential to support wider benefit distribution and enterprise 12. Training Materials: Training courses, manuals, and competitiveness in NBT and should be studied further. materials including webinars on key NBT topics. Focusing efforts and resources on filling these knowledge 13. Networks and Institutions: Networks, institutions, gaps can enhance the potential for NBT projects to and information platforms that provide support for maximize their contributions to poverty reduction and NBT internationally. biodiversity conservation. 8 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 2 Background 9 Background Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 2.1 Purpose of the Review 2.2 Scope In 2019, the World Bank commissioned a comprehensive NBT describes all forms of tourism that use natural review of the tools and knowledge resources that could resources in an undeveloped form. NBT is motivated be used by practitioners in the field of NBT to prepare by the enjoyment of wildlife or undeveloped natural and implement projects that promote sustainable NBT areas and may incorporate natural attractions including practices and policies. scenery, topography, waterways, vegetation, wildlife, and cultural heritage, and activities such as hunting or The first edition of Tools and Resources for Nature- white water rafting.2 A number of different terms are Based Tourism was published in 2020. This second used to describe forms of NBT, including ecotourism, edition has been prepared with a new chapter on the COVID-19 pandemic that aims to profile new resources wildlife tourism, geotourism, and adventure tourism developed to help the NBT sector recover after being (see Table 1). Successful NBT requires the ability to hit hard by travel restrictions. The pandemic led to develop and market tourism products based on the severe and systemic repercussions for conservation and assets offered by the protected area (PA), and the ability local livelihoods. These are elaborated and options for to maintain the quality of these assets for ongoing improving resilience are shared. future use. The tourism potential of any PA depends on a variety of factors, including location, accessibility, market demand, proximity to other popular tourism destinations, marketing, presence of local tourism businesses, and infrastructure (e.g., accommodation, catering, tourist guiding, etc.).3 Table 1: Nature-based tourism terms and definitions Term Definition Forms of tourism that use natural resources in a wild or undeveloped form. Nature-based Nature-based tourism tourism is travel for the purpose of enjoying undeveloped natural areas or wildlife.4 Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, socially and economically Ecotourism sustains the well-being of the local people, and creates knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education.5 A form of nature-based tourism that includes the consumptive and non-consumptive use Wildlife tourism of wild animals in natural areas.6 Wildlife tourism is centered around the observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural habitats,7 as with safari tourism. Tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place: its Geotourism environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.8 Often based in natural environments, adventure tourism activities include mountaineering, Adventure tourism trekking, bungee jumping, mountain biking, cycling, canoeing, scuba diving, rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, paragliding, hiking, canyoneering, sandboarding, caving, and rock climbing.9 The World Bank Group further emphasizes that NBT impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, should contribute to poverty reduction and promote the environment, and host communities.”11 The types environmental sustainability.10 The United Nations World of NBT topics explored relate to the range of issues Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines sustainable that practitioners need to draw on during the design or tourism as: “Tourism that takes full account of its implementation of projects and programs (see Figure 1 current and future economic, social, and environmental and Figure 2). 10 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 1: Nature-based tourism topics Enabling policy Governance and Concessioning Destination Infrastructure Visitor environment institutional and management and facilities management arrangements partnership models Nature-based Impacts of Risk COVID-19 Monitoring and enterprise nature-based management pandemic evaluation development tourism and climate change Figure 2: Types of nature-based tourism tools and resources Information resources: Certification systems for Toolkits and how-to • Books and e-books protected areas and tourism tools, including: • Technical reports service providers, including: • Financial assessment and • Case studies • Standards and criteria evaluation tools • Best practice guidance, • Indices and ratings • Research tools guidelines, and codes of conduct • Indicators • International agreements Online platforms: Training and capacity NBT-related institutions building resources, including: • Online booking systems with and networks: sustainability ratings • Nonprofit organizations • Online courses • Databases and resource • Research institutions • Training materials and platforms manuals • Networks and alliances • Websites hosting relevant • Webinars resources 11 Background Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Where possible, the materials sought were authored All resources identified that fit the scope are presented by NBT professionals, published by well-established within this report for further reading. Note that they institutions, were easily accessible (e.g., Open Source), have not been prioritized but are categorized under and available for free or at low cost (e.g., less than a series of sub-headings to assist readers in finding $100). Materials in their development stages were specific information. Practitioners can also access the also identified and added to the e-book database. source materials through an e-book. The primary language sought was English, but those identified in other languages were also collected. To help readers find resources that respond to practical questions they have, the following table can be used as a guide: Table 2: Where to find resources responding to your needs What do you want to know? Go to this section of the report What is NBT, and why is it important? Section 3 What are the international agreements and decisions relating to sustainable NBT? Section 3.2 Where do I start to get an understanding of sustainable NBT, ecotourism, wildlife Sections in 4.1 on nature-based tourism tourism, and hunting? and ecotourism, wildlife tourism, and hunting What type of tourism can be practiced in different types of PAs? Section in 4.1 on protected areas Where can I find regional guidance on NBT? Section in 4.1 on regional and national guidance Where can I find guidance on NBT in specific habitats? Section in 4.1 on specific ecosystems and habitats What do I need in a national policy framework to support sustainable NBT? Section in 4.2 on policy frameworks How do I plan NBT in a destination? Section in 4.2 on international planning Where do I find regional NBT planning information? Section in 4.2 on regional and national planning How do I design a tourism concessions or partnership framework for NBT? Section 4.3 Are there any case study examples on joint ventures and partnerships? Box 5 Is there regional or national guidance for tourism concessions? Section in 4.3 on regional and national guidance Are there destination-level tools for NBT planning? Section 4.4 How do I determine whether NBT is viable in a destination? Section 4.4 I need to develop sustainable accommodation infrastructure for NBT – how Section in 4.5 on accommodation should I do this? The NBT destination needs a visitor center, trails, and transport – how should this Section in 4.5 on visitor infrastructure be done? 12 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism What do you want to know? Go to this section of the report How do I ensure visitor management avoids overcrowding in natural areas and Section 4.6 provides good experiences? The private sector wants to develop commercially viable and sustainable NBT Section 4.7 businesses – how should this be done? What financing is available for NBT enterprises, and how do I access it? Section in 4.7 on financing NBT What guidance is available for community-based tourism (CBT), adventure Section in 4.7 on guidance for varied tourism, geotourism, marine tourism, mountain tourism, or desert tourism? tourism products Is there NBT enterprise development guidance for different parts of the world? Section in 4.7 on regional and national guidance What impacts does NBT have on the environment, wildlife, and animal welfare? Section in 4.8 on environmental impacts Is there guidance for operating NBT for different types of wildlife (e.g., primates, Section 4.8 birds, marine wildlife)? What are the economic and financial impacts of NBT? Section in 4.8 on economic and financial impacts How does NBT affect conservation financing? Section 4.8 What are the local financial and economic impacts on communities living in NBT Section 4.8 economies and in developing countries? What tools can be used to measure and monitor financial and economic impacts Section 4.8 of NBT? What are the potential social and cultural impacts of NBT? Section in 4.8 on social and cultural impacts What tools can be used to measure and monitor impacts on local communities Section in 4.8 on tools for local caused by NBT? community impact assessments What are the risks associated with NBT and climate change? Section 4.9 What M&E tools are available for NBT and tourism in protected areas? Section 4.10 What types of independent certification can be used to prove that NBT is Section 4.10 sustainable? What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on NBT, conservation, and Section 5 livelihoods, and how should NBT be adapted? What training courses and resources can be used to build stakeholder capacity in Section 6 sustainable NBT? Where can additional help be found? What institutions and networks are leaders Section 7 in NBT? What are the gaps in information to be aware of? Section 8 13 Background Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 2.3 Target Audience 2.4 Approach The intended audiences for this report and collated This analysis was prepared through a combination of resources are: an internet-based literature review12 and stakeholder consultation. The consultation included online questionnaires in 2019 and 2022 that collectively received • Practitioners working on NBT project design, 146 responses from practitioners in the field. In all, over implementation, and evaluation. 470 resources were identified during this process. • Governments, PA authorities, private sector stakeholders, tourism destination management organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and other partners. • Stakeholders that participated in the consultation process and who provided materials to populate the report database. 14 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 3 Why is Nature-Based Tourism Important? 15 Toolsis Why Nature-Based and Tourism Resources for Important? Nature-Based Tourism P rior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the through jobs and growth, while protecting wildlife tourism sector was expected to grow by 3.9 percent and conserving ecosystems. The relationship between per year globally over the next 10 years, according nature-based tourism and poverty reduction is not to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In straightforward. This is because:16 2018, travel and tourism contributed $8.8 trillion, or • Local communities near PAs sometimes carry a large 10.4 percent, to global GDP, and the industry supported share of their costs in the form of restricted access to one in 10 jobs (319 million) globally13. NBT is the one land and natural resources and crop damage due to of the fastest growing tourism sectors and plays an raiding wildlife. important role in sustainable development. It can support • There is often a mismatch between the high-skill, poverty alleviation, economic growth, and biodiversity labor-related demands of the tourism industry conservation. NBT can be a significant source of income required to realize tourism potential of natural assets for local communities and rural households, who often and the skill levels within local communities. live in marginalized areas with few pathways out of • In rural areas, there may be few businesses that can poverty. Proponents argue that where local communities adequately provide the necessary products and benefit from NBT, they may be more likely to conserve services to support the tourism sector (e.g., food, wildlife and nature (such as the example of poachers drink, transport, craft and décor), and so these are who become employed as tour guides).14 However, local either sourced from urban centers or imported. communities near PAs sometimes bear a large share of the costs of protected area management in the form • Local people are not always the owners of tourism of restricted access to land and natural resources and businesses, and so business profits are retained by human-wildlife conflict. 15 non-national owners or by national investors, who are already affluent and highly skilled. The onset of COVID-19 and travel restrictions have dampened NBT, with wide repercussions on livelihoods The World Bank helps countries harness the potential of and conservation efforts. For example, protected area NBT through three principles of engagement: protecting management authorities (whether governmental, private, the natural assets on which tourism depends; growing or community managed) lost critical sources of funding and diversifying the business; and sharing the benefits for their work when tourism revenues dried up. Affected with local communities. The World Bank’s NBT portfolio NBT tourism businesses cut staff, reduced wages, or closed includes projects that support biodiversity conservation, operations indefinitely. These impacts have made clear strengthen PA management, and tackle wildlife poaching, that post-COVID recovery for many local communities will while incorporating carefully designed private sector be tied to successful, diversified, and resilient recovery of concessions and local benefit-sharing arrangements. NBT – and reconfirmed that in a post-COVID scenario NBT Argentina, Cambodia, Mozambique, and Tanzania are remains an important contributor to green, resilient, and some countries where the World Bank, through its inclusive development. projects, is investing in NBT through policy enhancements, infrastructure development, tourism planning, and supporting communities in benefiting from tourism. 3.1 World Bank Initiatives Additionally, the Global Wildlife Program promotes NBT on Nature-Based Tourism through a component on wildlife-based economies, with multiple national projects supporting NBT development to Since 2015, the World Bank has ramped up efforts and help local communities benefit from healthy ecosystems re-engaged in tourism through new initiatives, due to and wildlife populations. a growing demand from countries to alleviate poverty 16 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism revenues to be economically viable and attractive “There are a lot of entry points and many small tourism to the private sector. To avoid concentrating both components in projects, but most importantly . . . there positive and negative impacts from NBT in a few are opportunities and the potential to do a lot more in areas, it is also important to strategically expand NBT nature-based tourism,” said Urvashi Narain, World to other select protected areas. Bank ENB Global Practice Lead Economist. • Share the benefits: Local communities must benefit directly from the tourism activity, be it through jobs “We need to find creative solutions to protect wildlife and and other economic opportunities, revenue-sharing build economic opportunities for local communities,” arrangements, or the targeted provision of public said Claudia Sobrevila, Global Wildlife Program goods (e.g., schools, roads, clinics). Manager. “This is why the Bank is in it. At the end of the day, it is about poverty alleviation.” 3.2 International Agreements “Nature-based tourism can be an effective tool to promote rural development,” said Mark Lundell, Tourism, and NBT in particular, can contribute directly World Bank Country Director for Mozambique, the to the objectives of global international agreements, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.17 including from the United Nations, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UNWTO. A portfolio review in 2022 identified at least 52 World Bank projects, totaling over $1.2 billion, with a nature-based In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda tourism component or activity. The World Bank Group for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable supports interventions that strengthen the linkages Development Goals (SDGs). The agenda established a between nature-based tourism and poverty reduction. global framework to end extreme poverty, fight inequality The three main components are:18 and injustice, and remedy climate change. Building on the Millennium Development Goals, 17 SDGS and 169 associated targets were agreed upon. Tourism is • Protect the assets: The natural assets underlying the included within the targets for Goal 8 on decent work and nature-based tourism sector need to be well managed economic growth; Goal 12 on responsible consumption to ensure they are maintained. Revenues will be short- and production; and Goal 14 on life below water. However, lived if the tourism venture exceeds the capacity of tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or the natural ecosystems, resulting in natural resource indirectly, to all of the goals (see Table 3).19 degradation. • Grow the business: The natural site must attract a sufficient number of visitors and generate sufficient 17 Toolsis Why Nature-Based and Tourism Resources for Important? Nature-Based Tourism Table 3: Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to tourism20 Goal Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) How tourism has an impact 1. No Poverty End poverty in all forms everywhere. Tourism fosters economic growth and development and provides income through employment, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering disadvantaged groups. 2. Zero Hunger End hunger, achieve food security Tourism can spur agricultural productivity by promoting the and improved nutrition, and promote production, use, and sale of local produce and its full integration sustainable agriculture. into the tourism value chain. 3. Good Health and Ensure healthy lives and promote well- Tourism’s contribution to economic growth can have a knock-on Well-Being being for all ages. effect on health and well-being. Tourism philanthropy can also play a role here; as can the benefits of tourism to the health of the tourist. 4. Quality Education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality Tourism can provide incentives to invest in education and education and promote lifelong learning vocational training, since the sector requires specific skills. opportunities for all. 5. Gender Equity Achieve gender equality and empower all Tourism can empower women in many ways, especially through women and girls. jobs and other income-generating opportunities. 6. Clean Water & Ensure availability and sustainable Tourism can play a role in achieving water access and security, as Sanitation management of water and sanitation for well as hygiene and sanitation for all. all. 7. Affordable and Ensure access to affordable, reliable, Tourism can accelerate the shift towards renewable energy, Clean Energy sustainable, and modern energy for all. as well as providing information on renewable energies to communities. 8. Decent Work and Promote sustained, inclusive, and Tourism is one of the driving forces of global economic growth Economic Growth sustainable economic growth, full and and provides access to decent work opportunities. productive employment, and decent work for all. 9. Industry, Build resilient infrastructure, promote Tourism development relies on good public and private Innovation and inclusive and sustainable industrialization, infrastructure and an innovative environment. Tourism can Infrastructure and foster innovation. incentivize government to upgrade infrastructure. 10. Reduced Reduce inequality within and among Tourism can be a powerful tool for community development and Inequalities countries. reduction in inequalities if it engages local populations. It is an effective means for developing countries to participate in the global economy. 11. Sustainable Make cities and human settlements Tourism has potential to advance urban infrastructure and Cities and inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. universal accessibility, promote regeneration of areas in decay, Communities and help preserve cultural and natural heritage. 18 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Goal Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) How tourism has an impact 12. Responsible Ensure sustainable consumption and Tourism can develop resource efficient initiatives that result in Consumption and production patterns. enhanced economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Production 13. Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate By lowering energy consumption and shifting energy usage change and its impacts. to renewable energy sources, tourism can help reduce climate impacts. 14. Life below Water Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, Coastal and marine tourism relies on intact and healthy marine seas, and marine resources for sustainable ecosystems, which presupposes their conservation. development. 15. Life on Land Protect, restore, and promote sustainable Tourism can play a role in conserving biodiversity through use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably reducing waste and consumption, conserving native fauna and manage forests, combat desertification, flora, and related awareness-raising activities. halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. 16. Peace, Justice Promote peaceful and inclusive societies Tourism can foster multicultural and inter-faith tolerance and and Strong for sustainable development, provide understanding, through the interaction of visitors and hosts, and Institutions access to justice for all, and build effective, the interpretation of cultural heritage. accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. 17. Partnerships for Strengthen the means of implementation Due to its cross-sectoral nature, tourism can strengthen public- the Goals and revitalize the global partnership for private partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders. sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution financially and technically to the establishment, operations, on the Promotion of sustainable tourism (2014), recognizing and maintenance of protected areas through appropriate the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty tools” such as concessions and public-private partnerships eradication, community development, and the protection (PPPs). The report to the 2018 CBD Conference of the Parties of biodiversity. The resolution calls on the UN to promote on implementation of this and other tourism decisions, sustainable tourism and ecotourism as a tool for achieving Mainstreaming biodiversity into tourism development global development goals. (2018), demonstrates considerable efforts to realize the agreement internationally. In relation to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), NBT contributes to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011– The NBT sector also contributes to the Muscat Declaration 2020 (2010), and the plan’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets that on Tourism and Culture (2017) from UNWTO and UNESCO, relate to conservation (Targets 11 and 12), community which includes commitments to create “a clear vision development (Target 18), and public awareness (Target 1).21 and defined frameworks at local, national, regional, and At the 12th Conference of the Parties to the CBD, Decision international levels that foster the coordination and XII/11 on Biodiversity and Tourism Development (2014) cooperation between tourism and culture stakeholders from was adopted, inviting parties to provide very specific the public and private sector as well as local communities” support to NBT, and ‘‘build the capacity of national and and to integrate “natural and cultural heritage policies and subnational park and protected area agencies, . . . to engage management in sustainable tourism development.” in partnerships with the tourism industry to contribute 19 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 4 Tools and Resources 20 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism M any tools and resources on tourism in protected Ecotourism, poverty reduction and environmental and natural areas have been developed protection (2013) is a further compendium of reports and by academics, development agencies, and presentation papers from a United Nations meeting on NGOs that can be used to guide project design and the topic. Themes covered included financing ecotourism implementation. This section provides an overview of investments and their markets, planning, marketing, tools that can be broadly used for planning NBT initiatives; and destination management, assessing socioeconomic it then highlights tools on specific topics. impacts and poverty reduction, enhancing environmental protection, and partnerships for international cooperation. More than 80 tourism cases (2021) have been compiled by 4.1 Key Concepts of CABI online, including 34 relating to nature-based, wildlife, Nature-Based Tourism and adventure tourism. Topics covered include securing community access to private lands for mountain biking in There are several resources that introduce key concepts Canada (2015), ecotourism in Crete at the Milia Mountain that underpin different types of sustainable NBT and retreat (2021), tourism and local community engagement highlight best practices for any planning and design in Costa Rica (2022), adventure tourism in the four different process. Some of these have global relevance, while others worlds of Ecuador (2019), tourism, wildlife conservation, focus on specific countries or regions. and animal welfare (2021), long distance trails networks in Brazil (2020), managing cruising and tourism in the Nature-Based Tourism and Arctic (2020), ecotourism on the Navuva River, Fiji (2016), cage diving and shark welfare (2018), and 10 others drawn Ecotourism from private sector tourism in conservation areas in Africa A briefing document on NBT issues and an overview (2019). of relevant World Bank Group projects can be found in Ramping up nature-based tourism to protect biodiversity Several textbooks provide a good underlying and boost livelihoods (2017). From the CBD and the UN understanding of NBT and, in particular, ecotourism best Environment Programme (UNEP) comes A good practice practices. Ecotourism (2020), in its fifth edition, focuses on guide: Tourism for nature and development (2009), which an array of economic, social, and ecological inconsistencies aims to provide stakeholders with the tools to make that continue to plague ecotourism in theory and practice, the tourism sector more biodiversity-friendly and more and examines the sector in reference to other related socially equitable. It introduces public decision makers forms of tourism, impacts, conservation, sustainability, to the available toolbox of techniques, technologies, and education and interpretation, policy, and governance. procedures that optimize the social and environmental Also, Ecotourism: Transitioning to the 22nd century contributions of tourism and minimize its negative (2018) is another broad-based textbook on the topic that impact. The guide covers policy and strategy tools, legal addresses sustainability, the enabling environment, natural and normative tools, monitoring and evaluation, market- resource management, professionalization of the sector, based instruments, capacity building, and marketing and interpretation, communities, marketing, and education. promotion. The book Nature tourism (2017) describes the benefits and pitfalls in recent developments of NBT, tracing the history The Compendium of best practices in sustainable tourism in development, highlighting the ecological impacts, and (2014) also shares best practice case studies in sustainable showcasing current practices. The publication includes ecotourism, gathered from 17 countries, that have discussions on specific tourist markets from holistic potential for replication elsewhere. These best practices viewpoints, embracing lessons learned from various include destination management organizations, tour destination countries and continents. The international operators, accommodation, NGOs, and airlines. A report handbook on ecotourism (2013) provides an overview of from an Expert group meeting on sustainable tourism: ecotourism issues, concepts, and challenges, behavior and 21 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism visitor experiences, and practices, such as chapters relating Protected Areas to the planning and certification of ecotourism. Ecotourism: Principles and practices (2008) is a broad-based textbook The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) that provides a basis for studies on NBT, with topics such Best Practice Guidelines Series publication on Tourism and as policy and planning, business, products, marketing, visitation in protected areas: Guidelines for sustainability guiding and interpretation, and impacts on conservation, (2018) recognizes that managing PA tourism is a complex communities, and the economy. Ecotourism: Principles, technical task requiring high levels of skill and knowledge. practices and policies for sustainability (2002) explains These comprehensive guidelines provide information on components required for successful ecotourism, illustrated the impacts of PA tourism on the environment, society, and with a series of practical case studies. Natural resources, economy. They highlight key 10 principles for planning tourism and community livelihoods in Southern Africa and management, address capacity building, and provide (2020) is a book that examines the connections between guidance on the generation and management of tourism natural resources, tourism, and community livelihood revenues. Table 4 summarizes the approaches to tourism practices in Southern Africa, highlighting the successes and visitor use by IUCN’s PA categories. The guidelines and constraints experienced over the last 50 years expand and update a previous IUCN Best Practice Guideline through a series of contributed papers. More broadly, on Sustainable tourism in protected areas: Guidelines for the Handbook for sustainable tourism practitioners: The planning and management (2002). The guidelines are essential toolbox (2021) provides step-by-step guidance also the basis for an IUCN Massive Online Open Course on for sustainable NBT, while accounting for modest Valorisation of protected area resources, which contains timeframes and resources. The handbook includes three modules dedicated to the best practice guidelines. chapters on feasibility studies, concessions, architecture, The associated Online resources directory provides access wildlife viewing protocols, visitor use management to the materials used within the guidelines and additional frameworks, and approaches to environmental, social, and readings and invites users to share new resources on economic assessment of NBT. this topic. 22 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Table 4: IUCN Protected Area Categories and their management approach to tourism22 IUCN Category* Primary goal and protected Approach to tourism and visitor use value(s) Ia) Strict Nature Reserve Biodiversity or geoheritage • Public access only possible through organized protection (ecological and scientific, citizen science, or volunteer service scientific values) programs Ib) Wilderness Area Protection of the natural • Low-density, self-reliant visitor use is often a character and condition of management objective unmodified or slightly modified • Restricted public access in terms of amount of use, areas (wilderness and ecological group size, activity, etc. values) • Tourism activity limited and highly regulated (e.g., through special use permits) II) National Park Protection of an ecosystem • Visitor use and experience is often a management and its large-scale ecological objective processes (ecological, • A range of recreation opportunities typically recreation, and community provided through zoning, facility development, and values) visitor services (countries have marked differences in their attitudes to tourism accommodation within PAs) III) Natural Monument Conservation of specific natural • Visitor use and experience is often a management features (ecological, recreation, objective and community values) • Recreation opportunities are typically provided to facilitate feature protection and public understanding IV) Habitat/ Species Management Conservation through • Recreation visitation and commercial tourism are Area management intervention usually management objectives (ecological, community, and • A range of recreation opportunities is provided with recreation values) associated facilities and services • Commercial tourism common for wildlife viewing V) Protected Landscape/ Landscape/seascape • Tourism is usually a management objective Seascape conservation (community, • A range of recreation opportunities is provided with ecological, and recreation associated facilities and services values) • Commercial tourism common VI) Managed Resource Sustainable use of natural • Recreation visitation and commercial tourism can ecosystems (community, be key objectives recreation, and ecological • A range of recreation opportunities is provided with values) associated facilities and services • Commercial tourism common Books focusing particularly on PAs include Tourism tourism operations. Based on a journal special edition and national parks (2015), which examines how and of the same name, Protected areas, sustainable tourism why national parks have spread and evolved, how they and neo-liberal governance policies (2018) is an have been fashioned and used, and the integral role of international collection of papers that explores politics, tourism within them. Case study chapters bring insights performance metrics, and the values that PAs have from across the world, including from the United States, for economies, peoples, and environments. The book Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Tourism and protected areas (2007) provides a record Sweden, Indonesia, China, and southern Africa. Tourism of the tourism issues discussed at the 2003 World Parks in national parks and protected areas (2004) describes Congress and prospective important issues for the tourism planning and management in national parks following decade. and PAs and provides guidelines for best practice in 23 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Wildlife Tourism there is a substantial lack of evidence regarding how hunting contributes to just and sustainable conservation The World Bank’s Supporting sustainable livelihoods efforts. Best practices in sustainable hunting: A guide to through wildlife tourism (2018) explores innovative best practices from around the world (2008) provides a tourism partnership and investment opportunities to collation of research and papers on trophy hunting from help countries unlock smart investment and grow tourism researchers and NGOs drawn from across Asia, Africa, sustainably. It provides an overview of sustainable wildlife and Latin America. The other side of the ecotourism coin: tourism experiences, the types of social, economic, and Consumptive tourism in Southern Africa (2006) discusses environmental impacts, community participation and aspects of perception, consumption, and conservation of partnership models, and considerations for the enabling wildlife in relation to the north-south divide relating to environment and management. sport and trophy hunting in Namibia and Botswana. The book Wilderness of wildlife tourism (2017) is a collected volume of papers that addresses wildlife Regional and National Guidance tourism’s implications for management, local communities, Guidelines and books developed for specific regions and marketing, technology, education, corporations, and countries include the following resources: policymaking. Wildlife tourism: Impacts, management, and planning (2004) is a volume of papers on wildlife • Europe: Practical, profitable, protected: A starter guide tourism issues, including zoos, wildlife watching, hunting, to developing sustainable tourism in protected areas and fishing. The book considers social, economic, and (2012) is a manual on how to develop and manage environmental impacts of wildlife tourism, as well as tourism in PAs, written for European PA managers. It managing the business side of the sector. includes guidance on tourism strategies and visitor management, working together with communities Hunting and organizations, providing NBT experiences and support infrastructure, communicating through As a form of wildlife tourism, trophy hunting is often a interpretation and branding, and generating income contentious issue, with people supporting or opposing from user fees and donations. Also for Europe is the it on a variety of biological, economic, ideological, or Guide to sustainable tourism in protected areas cultural bases. The book Tourism and the consumption (2012), which aims to help guide visitor monitoring of wildlife (2014) addresses a range of complex issues and management, involving stakeholders in PPPs, facing the consumptive wildlife tourism sector across a sustainable transport, certification, and marketing number of destinations in Europe, North America, Africa, approaches. Mediterranean experience of ecotourism: India, Arabia, and Oceania. Issues debated include that Meeting the ideal. A survey of ecotourism best of trophy hunting of threatened species and hunting for practices (2014) describes 60 case studies from conservation, along with the impact of hunting tourism on across the world that exemplify best practices, and indigenous communities and on wider societies. The IUCN discusses their contributions to conservation, local Species Survival Commission guiding principles on trophy communities, and cultural heritage. For Finland, hunting as a tool for creating conservation incentives Metsähallitus has produced Principles of sustainable (2012) provides guiding principles on the use of trophy tourism for protected areas (2016). These are intended hunting as a tool for conserving species and their habitats, to guide the sustainable tourism operations in and for the equitable sharing of the benefits. Two case all national parks, nature sites, and historical sites studies on hunting in Pakistan and Namibia are included managed by Parks & Wildlife, Finland. Each principle within the report. Consequences of recreational hunting is accompanied by detailed objectives that help in for biodiversity conservation and livelihoods (2021) implementing the principles in practice. was a review of more than 1,000 papers and establishes 24 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism • Asia and Pacific: The UNWTO’s Compendium of United States (2000) is a book that illustrates country- best practices and recommendations for ecotourism specific approaches to ecotourism planning, product in Asia and the Pacific (2012) provides specific case development, and tourism associations. studies demonstrating ecotourism in practice in • Latin America: Available in Spanish and developed the region, and illustrates how tourism operators for Mexico, Guía para las Mejores Prácticas de are aiming to meet the principles of sustainable ecotourismo en áreas protegidas (2003) covers the tourism. Nature-based tourism and conservation: concepts, methodologies, and verification criteria for New economic insights and case studies (2012) is a the planning, design, and management of ecotourism book with Australian case studies on tourism and PAs projects. and wildlife tourism (e.g., turtles, whales, penguins, tree kangaroos, glow worms). The book Review of • Developing countries: Ecotourism in the less nature-based tourism (2003) covers issues in Australia developed world (1998) is a book that shares including leases and licenses, accreditation, park country case studies from Costa Rica, Kenya, Nepal, pricing, risk management, breaches, and interactions and Thailand and from the Caribbean and South with wildlife. Pacific regions. • Africa: Private sector tourism in conservation areas in Africa (2019) uses 32 comprehensive case studies Specific Ecosystems and Habitats from 11 countries to provide guidelines for optimal benefits and sustainable NBT. The book includes Some books and resources focus on best practice NBT in descriptions of the various models for the private specific ecosystems and habitats. These include: sector to engage in tourism in conservation areas in Africa, and guidance on identifying the most suitable • Marine areas: Best practices for marine wildlife private sector tourism options to promote long- watching during ecotourism activities (undated) is term sustainability. Responsible tourism: Critical designed to help coastal tourism operators implement issues for conservation and development (2008) responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. contains case studies and analyses from across Global best practices for responsible whale and Africa, including papers on policies and institutional dolphin watching (2017) aims to assist wild whale- activities, market demand, the economics of wildlife and dolphin-watching tour operators and destination tourism, and tourism in transfrontier conservation managers wishing to achieve best practice standards. areas. Tourism product development interventions It also outlines scientific evidence about the impacts and best practices in sub-Saharan Africa: Part 1: and benefits of whale and dolphin watching. Marine Synthesis and Part 2: Case studies (2010) describes ecotourism (2007) is a book that examines the wide innovative and successful interventions that are range of marine ecotourism resources and considers making the most effective progress in terms of the vital role of marine ecotourism in raising sustainable tourism. The case studies include the awareness of the significance of the seas and oceans wildlife conservancy program in Namibia, hiking to sustainable coastal livelihoods. The book considers tourism on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and the the role of stakeholders and discusses regulation and safari operators &Beyond and Wilderness Safaris. collaboration within the sector. Marine wildlife and The report presents the methods, models, and tourism management (2007) is a book that aims to mechanisms used to leverage tourism for poverty demonstrate that, through scientific approaches to alleviation, employment generation, and enterprise understanding and managing tourist interactions development in conjunction with the conservation with marine wildlife, sustainable marine tourism can of the environment and cultural heritage. be achieved. It considers the demand for marine wildlife tourism, the impacts of interactions with • North America: Ecotourism case studies in the marine wildlife, the ethical and legislative context, and 25 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism tourism management. The Encyclopedia of tourism and recreation in marine environments (2008) brings 4.2 Enabling Policy together the terms, concepts, and theories related to Environment and Planning recreational and tourism activities in marine settings as a reference guide. Coral reefs: Tourism, conservation Governments, and their enabling policy and planning and management (2018) takes a multidisciplinary frameworks, provide the context for NBT to take approach, including coral reef science, management, place. These frameworks are critically important in establishing the conditions for tourism, including zoning, conservation, and tourism perspectives. It provides a infrastructure, and the involvement of local communities. global perspective of coral reef tourism issues covering Laws and regulations can be used to regulate the sector, many of the world’s most significant reef destinations. provide direction on benefit sharing, and safeguard Specific issues addressed include climate change, natural resources, and to fund biodiversity conservation pollution threats, fishing, island tourism, scuba and the management of PAs.23 Planning for NBT needs diving, marine wildlife, governance, sustainability, to address elements of rural development and local conservation, and community resilience. economic development within destinations. When done well, it can provide a road map for local employment • Forest areas: Rainforest tourism, conservation and creation, opportunities for local producers and service management (2017) includes four sections, namely, providers, and for the local ownership and management of rainforest ecology and management, people, tourism enterprises. Such planning needs to be embedded within opportunities for tourism development, and threats any broader process of planning of a destination where to rainforests. Forest tourism and recreation (1999) this exists.24 presents case studies from national parks, peri-urban forestry, and wilderness management, as well as UNWTO Recommendations on tourism and rural practitioner-oriented contributions. These illustrate development (2020) aims to support governments key issues and challenges and potential strategies and at various levels, as well as the private sector and the solutions. international community, to develop tourism in rural territories in a way that contributes to inclusive, sustainable, Box 1: Best practice guidance for snorkeling and resilient development. Such development will ensure the fair distribution of tourism’s benefits, enhance job creation, protect natural resources and cultural heritage, promote social inclusion, and empower local communities and traditionally disadvantaged groups. The strategic value of tourism for parks and PA management responses to planning cycles and growing demands was the subject of the World Protected Areas Leaders’ Forum in Australia in 2019. In Getting priorities right for tourism and protected areas (2019), almost all agencies present • Good environmental practice: Snorkeling: A reported managing increased visitation at popular practical advisory note provides guidance for sites and during peak periods, with many reporting managing snorkeling activities around coral overcrowding (or overtourism) as a significant challenge. reefs for tourists and operators. The agencies believed that this appeared to be, in part, • The Comision Nacionale Para el Conocimiento related to the rise of social media. Due to the pressures y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) produces of large numbers of visitors to natural areas and visitor guidance on good snorkeling practices within sites, many agencies are now looking to better balance its PAs, such as guides for Huatulco and Cabo their primary role of conservation with the demands and Pulmo National Parks in Mexico (2016). 26 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism challenges of tourism and increased visitation. They have recommends that tourism planning in these sites needs to a need for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to be extended, ideally under a unified framework that allows establish more coherent and coordinated approaches. some consistency across areas in terms of indicators and methods. A report on the Impact of tourism on wildlife Policy Frameworks conservation (2013) aims to support Supreme Audit Institutions, which can influence governments to make There are several examples of analyses of policy and management decisions for protecting and conserving planning contexts for NBT that can be found. Protected wildlife environments. The report provides information on area regulation and tourism (2022) is a book that wildlife tourism, regulations and international agreements, provides a review of global conservation and sustainable good practices, and audits related to tourism and wildlife. development conventions, treaties, and policies and considers their implications for impacts on management Resources relating to the policy environment for NBT and regulation. The volume includes descriptions of include the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) the regulatory and concession regimes for tourism Tourism concessions in protected natural areas: Guidelines globally, with detailed case study examples from New for managers (2014), which provides useful guidance Zealand, Tasmania, and Hawaii. The book proposes a on the enabling environment, including templates for new conceptual framework, called the Spectra for the policies, laws, and regulations. Books that include chapters Ecological Regulation of Protected Areas and Tourism relating to policy for NBT include Ecotourism: Principles (SERPAT). The framework aims to integrate the ecological and practices (2008), The Routledge handbook of and tourism aspects of protected area regulation, assisting tourism and the environment (2017), and Nature tourism, decision makers to develop contextually effective laws and conservation, and development in KwaZulu-Natal, South management plans that avoid over-regulating or under- Africa (2003). For an overview of policy tools, the Baseline regulating tourism, given the areas’ ecological profiles. report on the integration of sustainable consumption and production patterns into tourism policies (2019) describes Tourism planning in natural World Heritage Sites (2017) the types of policy instruments that can be applied during is a research report that analyzes the level of tourism different phases of tourism development, and which are planning at 229 natural and mixed World Heritage Sites. It applicable to NBT (see Table 5). 27 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Table 5: Examples of sustainable consumption and production policy instruments in use in tourism destinations at different stages of the tourism product life cycle25 Types of policy Phases of tourism life cycle instrument Manufacturing Provision of Extraction of Use and and production sustainable products, natural resources consumption processes services, and works Regulatory and legal • Regulation of access • Regulations • Regulations • Regulations on instruments and activities in on water and regarding visitor management vulnerable areas, energy efficient construction and capacity cultural and natural technologies, materials and heritage sites reuse and recycling environmental of water, use of standards of renewable energy products Economic and fiscal • Fees for national • Grants, soft loans, • Funding schemes for • Tourism tax instruments parks and natural or tax credits for sustainable business earmarked for reserves, and PAs for investments in development environmental nature conservation eco-technologies action (e.g., beach as well as for other (water, energy, etc.) cleaning, waste attractions and the reduction of infrastructure, emissions awareness raising) Communication and • PPPs for sustainable • Corporate social • Certification • Available voluntary instruments tourism and responsibility in the schemes and information on networks involving tourism sector guidelines for sustainability local communities responsible issues and codes of operations conduct Considering more challenging conditions for NBT, approaches to zoning for visitation by tourists and Conservation, land conflicts, and sustainable tourism in researchers. It focuses on the application of strategic Southern Africa (2022) is a collection of papers that address conservation actions with the use of conditions, equity, access, restitution, and redistribution. Tackling these indicators, standards, and corresponding preventative politically sensitive and emotive issues, the contributing and corrective management actions. The article authors examine the extent to which land reform processes proposes technology and methodology that are more in different African countries have impacted community- appropriate for the technical capacity of developing based tourism. Case studies from Botswana, Namibia, countries, with illustration in Costa Rica’s Monteverde South Africa, and Zimbabwe are shared to elaborate these Cloud Forest Reserve. issues, including conflicts relating to post-restitution land rights agreement at Phinda Private Game Reserve in South • The international handbook on ecotourism (2013) Africa and the dominance of foreign-owned multinational includes the chapter Ecotourism: planning for rural companies in tourism concessions of Botswana, development in developing nations,26 which outlines sustainable tourism planning processes for NBT. On International Planning Guidance destination-level planning, it provides guidance on participatory planning approaches, establishing the A number of resources provide guidance on planning for right conditions for ecotourism, and using criteria NBT that can be used in a range of countries. For example: for sustainability. For enterprise planning, the paper describes options for local economic benefits through • Condition-based protected area zoning tie to partnerships, employment and training, procurement, conservation planning and targets (2021) updates and corporate social responsibility. 28 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism • Sustainable coastal tourism – an integrated planning outlines the business planning process for ecotourism and management approach (2009) explains how the in order to promote viable business partnerships with tourism sector can coordinate effectively in the overall communities or private tourism operators. It includes development of coastal zones and contribute to the sections on zoning PAs for visitor use, site planning, long-term sustainability of these areas. The report is sustainable infrastructure design, revenue-generating practical and easy to use and provides an introduction mechanisms, and visitor impact monitoring. It also to the key tools to be used at different stages of the includes strategies including business considerations, planning process. the role of conservation managers, developing • Ecotourism program planning (2002) is a book that partnerships with tour operators, feasibility analysis, describes the relationship between tour operators and business planning. and tourists and how service providers can effectively • The Conservation Travel Readiness Scorecard plan and implement their ideas. The book includes (undated) is a spreadsheet-based model from World guidance on integrated ecotourism program planning Wildlife Fund (WWF) that can help in the analysis including design, implementation, and evaluation. of supporting policies for NBT. The scorecard helps • Ecotourism development: A manual for conservation countries rate their existing capacity to harness planners and managers; Volume II: The business of tourism as an incentive for community-based ecotourism development and management (2004) conservation (see illustration in Figure 3). Figure 3: WWF’s Conservation Travel Readiness Scorecard Conservation Tourism Conservation Value & Policy Readiness 1 Readiness 2 Travel Potential 3 WWF Country Readiness 4 TOURISM Stewardship Rights Business Climate READINESS Programmatic Fit Natural Attractions Natural Resource Destination Marketing Capacity Market Demand Management Government Commitment Commitment Safety & Security Priority Region or Species Infrastructure Partners WWF Goal Alignment Tourism Training Resources Regional and National Planning Examining 13 good practice cases and snapshots, the resource examines only non-consumptive forms of wildlife tourism (no hunting, fishing, or collection) and Certain regional and international tools have also been concentrates on viewing wildlife, both terrestrial and developed. Regional tools include the following: marine, in the wild. • Asia and the Pacific: Sustainable development of • Europe: Transboundary ecotourism guidelines for wildlife tourism in Asia and the Pacific (2020) aims to the Sava River Basin (2013) addresses transboundary highlight the positive impacts that are a result of the tourism master planning and the management implementation of sustainable policies and practices of wetlands, sustainable economic development, within the wildlife tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific. stakeholder involvement and participation, and 29 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism conserving and enhancing biodiversity. The For materials from specific countries, the following tools guidelines incorporate three considerations for and examples can be useful: ecotourism development: 1) a shared goal for protecting the environment and encouraging • Jordan: The Experiential tourism toolkit (undated) is sustainable development; 2) a desire to create a intended to be functional and usable for any tourism- green economy offering green jobs to generate related party interested in identifying and marketing economic growth; and 3) transboundary local and remote experiences. It provides a series cooperation. A series of transboundary tourism of practical tools on identifying local tourism hosts, case studies are shared. conducting training, initial visit assessments, testing experiences, and lessons learned. Box 2: Case study example: Transboundary • Namibia: The National policy on tourism and wildlife ecotourism in the Kangchenjunga Landscape: concessions on state land (2007) provides a practical Opportunities for sustainable development example of a national policy for outsourcing tourism through regional cooperation 2019 to non-state actors in the country (e.g., conservancies and the private sector). • South Africa: The South African tourism planning toolkit for local government (2010) supports tourism planning at a local level. The toolkit outlines a framework for conducting basic tourism planning at the local government level with a series of practical tools to evaluate market demand, economic impact, and community involvement in order to guide decision making. • Tanzania: Tanzania’s tourism futures: Harnessing natural assets (2015) is a World Bank analysis of a national tourism sector. It presents challenges and opportunities for linking tourism and rural economies and the economic consequences of concentrated tourism. Recommendations to governments are provided to maintain and enhance high-value, low- density tourism, including diversification of the tourism product. Case study examples of tourism in the Serengeti ecosystem and Ruaha National Park are This paper describes work done by the International used as illustrations. This provides a good example of Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) a diagnostic study of NBT, making the case for future to assist mountain people in evaluating the potential for interventions. transboundary ecotourism between Bhutan, India, and Nepal. The report reviews options to promote inclusive growth, strengthen connectivity, and establish PPPs in the region. 30 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism market, capability, or expertise. Methods of outsourcing Box 3: Case study example: Assessment of natural can include concessions, PPPs, leases, licenses, and permits. resources for nature-based tourism: the case of Deciding whether to insource or outsource depends upon the Central Coast Region of Western Australia27 current government policy and the capabilities of the PA (2001) authority in regard to business operations (see Figure 4).29 International Guidance Forging links between protected areas and the tourism sector: How tourism can benefit conservation (2005) is a manual meant to provide practical guidance to managers of World Heritage Sites and other PAs on better ways of understanding the tourism industry. It shares effective step-by-step methods that can be used by PA managers to develop links with tourism to promote conservation and site protection. The manual also describes what can be realistically expected from the tourism industry in terms of Resources for development of a nature-based support for conservation. tourism industry were identified and assessed in the Central Coast region of Western Australia. An The World Bank Group’s An introduction to tourism assessment framework was developed that used concessioning: 14 Characteristics of successful programs checklists, matrices, and indicators to establish levels (2016) can be used during the conceptualization of an of attraction, accessibility, presence of infrastructure, outsourcing program to provide the right conditions for and environmental degradation. Data was gathered, effectiveness. It describes the importance of key elements using a checklist approach, to quantify characteristics including conservation of the natural resource base and of sites. The assessment revealed that the attraction sustainability, community participation and stakeholder diversity in the region was high, but there was poor engagement, the enabling policy environment and accessibility, low levels of tourism infrastructure, and concession models, procurement procedures, market moderate levels of environmental degradation. viability, and management of risk. Other World Bank tools that have been developed include the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Anchor Investment Generation 4.3 Concessions and Manual.30 The manual was developed following investment facilitation work by IFC in Mozambique and Partnership Models Sierra Leone. Furthermore, there is a spreadsheet-based model that has been developed for authorities and Nature-based tourism often takes place in PAs. The investors to predict commercial viability and the Internal authorities need to consider the level of NBT services that Rate of Return of investments over concession periods. are provided, the method of delivery of the service, the During the development of the CBD concession guidelines, financing for each service, and whether they are insourced training was provided to PA managers on how to use this or outsourced. With insourcing, PA authority staff both tool, and it became clear that it would be valuable to deliver and finance the service, functioning like a business others, if made more widely available.31 Subsequently, the to provide visitor services. For outsourcing, the PA contracts World Bank produced a report on Stimulating sustainable a third party to deliver a service. Transferring rights to use development through tourism concessions (2019), which land to other organizations can relieve public agencies presents a series of case studies from Africa, Asia, and from resource constraints of budget, knowledge of the the Americas and describes enabling conditions needed 31 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 4: Deciding whether to insource or outsource 28 Insource: Yes PA authority develops tourism Question 1: Does the PA authority infrastructure itself have money and personnel to develop tourism infrastructure? Outsource: Concession: No PA authority looks for a partner Seek a partner to invest, for development develop, and operate facility Insource: Yes PA authority manages the Question 2: Does the PA have tourism services iteself existing infrastructure and the mandate/skills/personnel to manage Lease: and maintain it? Outsource: Contract to outside No PA authority looks for a operator for use of facilities/ management partner land for a specified period Insource: Yes PA authority offers trips and Question 3: Does the PA want to offer tours itself public services, and have mandate/ License: skills/personnel to do so? Outsource: Contract to outside operator No PA authority looks for partners for use of facilities/land for a to offer trips and tours specified period Permit: Access provided for a short time to access the area for tourism to benefit the environment and communities manuals, and training resources. These guidelines are that live around protected areas. The report also shares currently available in English, French, Portuguese and 12 action steps to develop nature-based tourism that Spanish. Based on this process, A decision framework on supports local communities, and also lessons learned from the choice of management models for park and protected across the examples explored. area tourism services (2019) provides information that can assist protected area managers in the decision structure The CBD’s Guidelines for tourism partnerships and for the choice of and implementation of the various concessions for protected areas (2017) were developed management approaches for the provision of tourism through a consultative process with PA managers and services in protected areas. tourism stakeholders. Guidance provided on partnership types, sources of financing, legal frameworks, and UNDP’s Tourism concessions in protected natural areas: sustainability is followed by a step-by-step guide Guidelines for managers (2014) provides useful materials through scoping, design and feasibility, procurement for the design and operation of concession programs. These and contracting, and contract management. A series of include templates (e.g., for policies, laws, and regulations); links to other resources is also shared, including country- checklists (e.g., for human resource requirements), and specific tools used in Africa, such as concession policies, case study examples from across the world (e.g., revenues 32 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism generated and fees charged). The guidelines make of such partnerships. It raises awareness on the role of linkages with safeguarding conservation interests and these partnerships in reducing the massive protected forging business linkages with local communities through area funding gap, catalyzing rural development, and concessions. supporting job creation. With a heavy emphasis on nature- based tourism, concessions, and PPPs, the toolkit includes Considering concessions at a protected-area level, the a resource guide, nine case studies (such as the Makuleke Collaborative management partnership toolkit (2021) contractual Park in South Africa), and story maps. launched by the Global Wildlife Program is a resource guide to support the identification and establishment Box 4: Case studies on joint ventures and partnerships in conservation areas Tourism and protected areas: Partnerships in principle and practice (2001) shares a selection of successful partnerships between commercial tourism and PA managers, with both public and private sector involvement. It identifies the advantages of expanding such partnerships and the factors that contribute to their success. Private sector tourism in conservation areas in Africa (2019) includes a series of case studies including on Anvil Bay and Ndzou camp in Mozambique, Damaraland Camp and Doro Nawas Camp in Namibia, and Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge and !Xaus Lodge in South Africa. Joint ventures between communities and tourism investors: experience in southern Africa (2001) reviews experience from eight joint-venture processes in Namibia within the wider regional context, to identify some key principles and challenges, such as their high transaction costs. Damaraland Camp in Namibia is a joint-venture partnership between the Torra Conservancy and the safari company Wilderness Safaris. The camp is the subject of a case study that explores the venture from an inclusive business approach: Creating luxury ecotourism with the local community (2014). Phinda Private Game Reserve represents a transitional partnership model in which the private sector partner continues to operate, manage, and market the reserve and its lodges, although a portion of the land and asset ownership has been transferred to the community. The arrangements are described in the paper Strong community partnership through long term leasing (2014). 33 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Regional and National Guidance stages, with case studies from Argentina and Chile. Concessioning tools developed for applications in specific • Europe: Sustainable tourism in protected areas: Guide regions or countries for use by PA authorities and the for tourist companies (2019) is targeted at companies private sector include the following: operating in PAs managed by Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland. It aims to ensure there are uniform • Southern Africa: Tourism concession guidelines for practices supporting sustainable tourism, mutually transfrontier conservation areas in the Southern African beneficial and consistent interactions, and high- Development Community (SADC) (2014) provides a quality marketing and communication. step-by-step process of development of concessions Tools for evaluating the financial viability of concessioning in PAs shared by two or more countries. Concession programs are particularly important for both the public guidelines, policies and procedures, and contract and private sector. The South African National Treasury’s manuals have been produced for PA authorities in Public-private partnership manual (2005) includes a Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, module on managing the tourism PPP agreement, with South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. Tourism tools for value assessment and economic valuation. This concessions in protected areas in Mozambique: has been applied to tourism concession processes in the Manual for operators and concessionaires (2012) country’s national parks and reserves. provides guidance on the different concession models and processes available in Mozambique to help them A number of case study examples of concessioning are work with PA authorities. embedded within the guidelines prepared by the World • North America: Commercial services guide: National Bank Group, CBD, and UNDP, while further examples can be Parks Service commercial services program (2018) is found for Latin America, (see Box 6 below) Mozambique, a detailed step-by-step guide through the design, and New Zealand. For example, the paper Rethinking procurement, contracting, operation, and monitoring tourism and its contribution to conservation in New of outsourced services in the United States. Zealand (2017) reviews the impacts of tourism concessions on the country’s natural capital. It reviews the challenge • South America: Best practices on tourism concessions of saving threatened species, PA budgets, regulatory in protected areas from Latin America (2010) presents options for sustainable tourism, and best practices, with a review of tourism concession components and recommendations for improvement. 34 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Box 5: Case study: Best practices on tourism concessions in protected areas from Latin America32 : Chile (2010) Chile launched a concession program in Patagonian parks in 2003 and the Atacama region in 2007. Seven parks were opened to concession operations in Patagonia in 2003/2004. Bidders were provided with a list of permitted ecotourism activities, including fishing, skiing, skating, hiking or trekking, photographic safaris, cycling, caving, scuba diving, canoeing, canyoning and river kayaking, hotels and lodges of all classes, and restaurants including small kiosks. The criteria for judging the suitability of the proposals were as follows: • Compatibility with the management plan • Capability to satisfy the demand for ecotourism activities with environmental education, while meeting the norms in the management plan • Presentation of a variety of distinct ecotourism options that meet different niche market needs and also serve those who have reduced mobility or are of an older age • Development of a project with the highest possible involvement of local communities, including indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, via direct employment and associated services via contract, including providers of local arts and crafts • The environmental viability of the project after the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement 35 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism 4.4 Destination Management (2022) aims to address the challenges and opportunities that destination managers face at all stages of tourism A tourism destination is a geographical area consisting of development. Written primarily to guide destinations that all the services and infrastructure necessary for the stay do not have broad tourism management experience, it is of a tourist or for a tourism segment, such as NBT. The intended to be practical; covering the theory of destination ability of a destination to manage tourism depends on the management, but above all empowering practitioners implementation of effective management strategies, the to select tools and implement approaches that suit their scale of demand for visits to the site, the staff and resources circumstances. A series of NBT case study examples are available for the management of tourism, and the legal included. Tourism destination management: Achieving and political environment covering nature protection in sustainable and competitive results (undated) is a resource the countries in which they are located. An example of that helps destinations put in place strategies and programs a destination approach in Mozambique under a series of that will best tell their unique story and become an inviting World Bank projects is described in Box 6. host for visitors, no matter what the purpose of their journey. The tool includes guidance on creating tourism Destination management handbook: A guide to the inventories, creating clusters, development of destination planning and implementation of destination management management organizations, visitor information, and Box 6: Case study: Conservation and development in Mozambique: Lessons from the transfrontier conservation areas program and new perspectives for the MozBio Program (2015) This case study provides an overview of process of sequential World Bank projects on conservation and tourism that have taken place over 15 years in 18 protected areas in Mozambique. The case study includes a description of the context, pillars of activities, impacts, and lessons learned. Economic Landscape Innovative Legal Engaging Growth and Rural Approach Partnerships Frameworks Communities Development The sustainable The achievement of Innovative partnerships Legal frameworks and The conservation management of long-term sustainable are promising well-funded local and of natural resources resources and biodiversity use of natural governance models national institutions and biodiversity are conservation have resources requires a for the sustainable and with clear mandates are closely linked to the significant potential to landscape approach long-term management needed to advance the well-being of local contribute to economic that promotes linkages of Conservation conservation agenda, communities and vice- growth and rural between different Areas (CAs). These ensure long-term versa. The sustainable development. Nature- types of land uses and include partnerships funding, and achieve management of based tourism, sustainable between land actors between national and national conservation CAs should focus on forest and fisheries, and creates institutional local governments, goals. providing economic wildlife management, arrangements to private sector, NGOs, alternatives, clarifying and payment for promote coordination. and communities communities’ land ecosystem services can around natural assets rights on areas adjacent generate income for tourism and wildlife to CAs, and offering rural communities and management entities. incentives for better contribute to the national management of economy. resources. 36 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism online presence. The guide provides a series of NBT concepts that aim to optimize tourism development in destinations as examples, in addition to other types of an effort to protect natural and socio-cultural resources destination. Destinations at risk: The invisible burden of and improve the welfare of local people, while enhancing tourism (2019) describes how destinations need to identify monetary gains and market access. It includes guidance and account for tourism’s hidden costs. It identifies the on involving local stakeholders, inventories of attractions, types of destinations that are most vulnerable (see Box 8). infrastructure and services, market demand analysis, Although not specific to NBT, it provides guidance on how supply and competitiveness, and establishing human to protect our ecosystems from the environmental impacts and institutional capacity. The toolkit also supports of tourism. Linking communities, tourism & conservation: environmental, socioeconomic and cultural evaluations, A tourism assessment process (2005) is a toolkit to and cost benefit analysis. The materials include a series of help field practitioners to perform a rapid assessment template questionnaires and guiding questions. and analysis of tourism potential in a destination. The guidelines and tools provided incorporate sustainability Box 7: Typology of vulnerable destinations35 A high risk of climate change impacts A fast-growing middle class which would disproportionately affect a visitor which is driving tourism growth at unsustainable economy – for instance, island states levels – for instance, in Southeast Asia High economic dependence on tourism Local government with low capacity to for instance, in the Caribbean manage tourism development in terms of budgets and human capital – a problem that has been found in both advanced and emerging economies 37 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Guidance for Different Types of Natural Assets Destination management resources that relate to types of natural assets specifically include: Protected Areas The paper Tourism and protected areas (2016) presents a synthesis of the body of work shared at the IUCN’s World Parks Congresses in 2003 and 2014, including some of the cutting-edge issues, best practices, and inspiring initiatives relating to sustainable tourism. Looking forward to the following decade, the paper reflects on specific challenges, gaps in knowledge, and areas for further research and outreach. World Heritage Sites: Tourism, local communities and conservation activities (2018) provides global case studies relating to economic, sociocultural, and environmental impacts of 1,000 cultural and natural heritage sites. The Geoheritage tool-kit (undated) is a method, or series of steps, that has been developed to enable geoheritage practitioners to systematically identify and categorize geological features significance at all scales and assess their level of significance for science and education. The Geopark tourism tookit for geopark managers (2018) is designed to help audit the tourist offering and to help compile information to support informed dialogue with other tourism providers and develop marketing information. 38 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Wetlands Destination wetlands: Supporting sustainable tourism (2012) provides guidance on the associated opportunities and challenges of managing tourism in and around wetlands, working with the tourism sector, and planning and policies for wetlands and tourism. The report also shares 14 case studies of wetland tourism from across the world. Mountains For alpine areas in Europe, the Background paper on sustainable mountain tourism (2014) covers relevant policies and responsibilities of institutions, the concept of sustainable tourism in mountains, results of a survey on the topic in 10 countries, and key issues to guide such discussion in the future. 39 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Coastal and Marine Areas Understanding tropical coastal and island tourism development (2014) provides both case studies and theoretical insights applicable to the tourism development challenges of tropical coastal and island destinations throughout the world. Topics include the shortcomings of NBT in Madagascar and successful multi-stakeholder partnerships on Indonesian resort islands. Nature-based marine tourism in the Coral Triangle: Exploring the potential for low-impact, high-value nature- based marine and coastal tourism (2015) explains the basis for an NBT project in this region. It describes global and regional trends in tourism and NBT and the participating countries (i.e., Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia) and lessons learned from other tourism destination models. The Mediterranean experience of ecotourism manual: A guide to discover the MEET approach (2016) is a guide to encourage and engage sustainable local business initiatives around the Mediterranean sea that contribute to PA conservation in the creation of an ecotourism product. The first part of the guide relates to developing the ecotourism product and the second part relates to incorporating elements of sustainability. 40 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Regional and National Guidance Resources from destinations in different parts of the world include the following: Africa The success of tourism in Rwanda: Gorillas and more (2011), published within the World Bank’s book Yes Africa can (2011), is a case study that illustrates how Rwanda has established and managed gorilla tourism in the Volcanoes National Park to provide benefits for communities and for conservation, within the broader context of the country as a whole. 41 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Australia The Best practice model for low-impact nature-based sustainable tourism facilities in remote areas (2005) aims to establish an independently verifiable “best practice” assessment system and sustainability criteria for low-impact, nature-based facilities. It provides a series of case studies on low-impact facilities throughout Australia with the intention of assessing the implementation of guiding principles and to apply the assessment criteria to such facilities. Antarctica and the Arctic Tourism in the polar regions: The sustainability challenge (2007) explains the trends and impacts, proposes an agenda for sustainable tourism development and outlines principles, guidelines, and selected good practices to conserve these unique wilderness areas through the regulation and management of tourism. Arctic tourism experiences (2017) focuses on tourist experiences (e.g., marine adventures, fishing, whale watching, trails, viewing the northern lights) and industry provision of those experiences. 42 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 4.5Infrastructure and engineers, it contains illustrative guidelines that help provide deeper insights into the planning, design, Facilities and construction processes. Ecolodge planning, design, and operation handbook (2008) provides Infrastructure to support NBT can be used to provide comprehensive guidance for the development accommodation (e.g., lodges, campsites, cabins), support of accommodation looking to embrace a more access (e.g., roads, hiking trails, boardwalks, bridges, socially and environmentally responsible tourism signage), enhance the experience (e.g., cliff and treetop business model in Egypt. It includes information walks, mooring points, viewpoints, visitor centers), about physical areas and standards, corporate policy, and provide support services (e.g., retail and catering local stakeholder participation, business planning, facilities).36 physical design, engineering, materials, construction techniques and procedures, conservation (of energy, water) and waste management, visitor experience, Accommodation conservation contributions, and monitoring and There is a great deal of practical guidance available for evaluation. planners and investors on sustainable NBT accommodation Country-specific resources include Guidelines for (or ecolodges). These include: developing ecolodges in Myanmar (2017), which describe • Biodiversity-friendly development: Ecolodges: the planning, design, environmental impact assessment, Exploring opportunities for sustainable business (2004) construction, and operation of an ecolodge in protected provides background on the ecolodge marketplace and natural areas. These guidelines address community (including what tourists are looking for), the business involvement and associated costs of developing in remote case and financial viability issues, and an overview of areas. Also, Designing and operating an ecolodge in the the potential positive and negative impacts on the Lao PDR (2005) is written for investors and managers, environment and local communities. The book also including site selection, use of local building materials, provides baseline indicators for biodiversity impact accommodation, restaurants, construction advice, interior and a series of case studies from Kenya, Costa Rica, Fiji, decoration, landscaping, safety and hygiene, staffing, and Peru. The International ecolodge guidelines (2002) marketing and promotion, examples of bad design, and contain guidance on site selection, planning and sample architectural drawings. design of ecolodges, including site evaluations and selection, physical analysis, master site planning, site design, and planting design. Building and operating Visitor Infrastructure and Facilities biodiversity-friendly hotels (2012) provides guidance Guidance is also available to help natural destinations to around five key principles for siting and design, and develop supporting visitor infrastructure and facilities. suggestions for how to integrate biodiversity into This includes: hotel and resort operations. The principles relate to an ecosystem approach to development planning, • Visitor centers and interpretation material: Park managing impacts of hotel developments, designing design guidelines and data (2012) aims to help British with nature, respecting and supporting local Columbia Parks staff to provide sustainable and communities, and collaborating with stakeholders. appropriate park recreation facilities, with designs The guide also provides a series of case studies from that have the least visible impact. They cover park across the world to illustrate the principless. entrances, roads, parking, day-use areas, camping areas, trails, signage, infrastructure, and landscaping. • Accommodation in deserts: Planning, design and The Association of Ecotourism in Romania shares construction guidelines for desert ecolodges (2011) examples of interpretation materials and visitor is a manual designed for Saudi Arabia. Intended centers for PAs. for investors, developers, design professionals, and 43 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism • Trail development: Recreational trail planning, climate, equipment, and costs. Similarly, for PAs in design and management guidelines (2020) is a toolkit British Columbia, Canada, there are Guidelines and for planning and delivering exceptional sustainable best practices for planning, design and development trail experiences – either through the creation of of summer off-highway vehicle tracks (2012). The new trails but also improving and enriching existing Accessibility guidebook for outdoor recreation and trails. The guidelines provide examples from Australia, trails (2006) shares detailed design and planning Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. The Guidelines guidelines to improve access to PA tourism offerings. for trail planning, design and management (2015) • Active transportation: The United States National have been developed for use in Australia. The Park Service active transportation guidebook (2018) guidelines can be applied in other destinations, and aims to help develop opportunities that enhance include tools for planning trail concepts, evaluating active transportation in parks. The guidebook’s topics feasibility, standards, branding, community include planning and developing infrastructure, such engagement, interpretation, orientation and safety, as pedestrian pathways and bike lanes, evaluating and conditions for success. Track construction and and improving safety for active transportation modes, maintenance guidelines (2008) discusses ways and offering activities and programs that allow park to manage the construction and maintenance of visitors to explore by foot, bicycle, or other non- tracks. Developed for application in New Zealand’s motorized means. PAs, it covers a number of principles but recognizes that implementation depends upon local materials, Box 8: Case study: Improving trails and visitor experiences in Peaks National Park, St Helena Island (2020) The Peaks National Park is home to the last remaining fragments of endemic cloud forest habitat on St Helena Island. It is a premier hiking destination for locals and tourists, but as tourism numbers increased so did the impacts on the national park. Foot traffic was eroding the trails, the trails were becoming unsafe, and it was beginning to affect the surrounding habitat. This case study explains how wooden boardwalks, staircases, handrails, and a hiking shelter were constructed to improve access, safety, and reduce visitor impacts. 44 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 5: Active transportation in US national parks37 the tourism industry, tourism revenue and charges, marketing, and visitor impact management tools (e.g., Limits of Acceptable Change, Visitor Impact Management, Recreation Opportunity Spectrum). It also challenges the concept of carrying capacity. Tourism and protected area management: Sustaining resources (2008) is a collection of technical reports from Australia on visitor management. The papers provide an understanding of changing trends and visitor preference, the role of communication in shaping and enhancing visitor satisfaction, and the potential of commercial partnerships in achieving park management goals and satisfying visitor experiences. Determinants of tourism attractiveness in the national parks of Brazil (2015) explores the relative importance of park characteristics on visitor numbers. Visitor Management Tools Visitor management tools that can be used by destination managers (including PA managers) to plan NBT sustainably include: • The Visitor use management framework (2016) is a planning tool that can be incorporated into PA authority planning and decision making processes. It describes the development of the approach, desired 4.6 Visitor Management visitor conditions to be achieved, management strategies to achieve them, and monitoring and Visitor management is the process of tracking visitor use at evaluation. This is complemented with the Visitor a destination. There are a number of tools and techniques capacity guidebook (2019), which helps PA managers for aligning the objectives of NBT destination values (such to collaboratively develop long-term strategies to as PAs) with planning and management responses to avoid manage the amounts and types of visitor use to or mitigate negative impacts from tourism. An overview of achieve desired conditions and improve access, 10 principles for tourism and visitor management in PAs connect visitors to key experiences, and protect and actions is outlined in Table 6. resources. The step-by-step process is elaborated in the Handbook for sustainable tourism practitioners: Visitor management (2015) is a chapter in the book The essential toolbox (2021)’s chapters on the Visitor Protected area governance and management (2015) use management framework. that provides a comprehensive introduction to visitor • For World Heritage Sites, UNESCO’s Visitor management, supplemented with case study examples. management assessment and strategy tool (VMAST) This resource addresses types of visitors in different (2022) helps to establish visitor management categories of PAs (see Table 7 below and refer to Table baselines and insights into how site management is 4 on IUCN Protected Area categories), management achieving against sustainability indicators (including considerations, sustainable tourism, types of tourism the SDGs and Global Sustainable Tourism Council operators, numbers and types of tourists, working with (GSTC) criteria) and heritage values. 45 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Table 6: Ten principles of tourism and visitor management in protected areas38 Principles Actions Appropriate management depends on objectives • Ensure management plans include clear appropriate objectives, with and PA values conservation primary above all • Establish and agree to objectives through public participation Proactive planning for tourism and visitor • Provide opportunities for visitors to learn about PA values through management enhances effectiveness information and programming • Be cognizant of emerging visitor activity or use pattern that may have management implications Changing visitor use conditions are inevitable and • Use zoning explicitly to manage for diverse recreation opportunities may be desirable • Use knowledge of diversity to make decisions on desirability of tourism in specific locations Impacts on resource and social conditions are • Managers must ask: “How much impact is acceptable based on PA inevitable consequences of human use values and objectives?” Managers must act appropriately to manage the acceptable level of impact Management is directed at influencing human • Management actions determine what actions are most effective in behavior and minimizing tourism-induced change influencing amount, type, and location of changes Impacts can be influenced by many factors so • Education and information programs, as well as regulations aimed at limiting the amount of use is but one of many restricting visitor behavior, may be necessary management options Monitoring is essential to professional • Enhance public engagement and visitor education by encouraging their management involvement in monitoring The decision making process should separate • Decision processes should separate questions of “existing conditions” technical description from value judgements from “preferred conditions” Affected groups should be engaged since • Rights-holders and stakeholders of PAs should be involved in identifying consensus and partnership is needed for values of PAs and developing indicators implementation Communication is key to increased knowledge of • A communication strategy is needed to support a proactive or adaptive and support for sustainability management process 46 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Table 7: Indicative visitor uses in protected areas39 Type of visitor Type of visitor use IUCN Protected Area Categories I II III IV V VI Volunteers (officially Firefighters and search and rescue personnel       recognized and Historic site maintenance and restoration      supported) Walking track maintenance      Introduced plant removal       Fauna protection such as seasonal bird nesting site     protection surveillance Visitor service support such as volunteer campground     wardens or guides Researchers, such as those conducting a biodiversity       assessment Researchers (officially All aspects of natural heritage research including baseline       permitted) condition measurement, trends in condition and ecosystem processes, and social and cultural heritage research Commercial users Nature-based filmmakers    (officially permitted) Visitor access services including pack animals, bicycle taxi,    bus, aircraft, motor launch, snowmobile, and others Tourists and Education-focused visitors      recreationists (sustainable use) Car-based sightseers, cycling, photography, painting     Picnicking, walking, bushwalking, camping     Nature study and cultural awareness    Orienteering, cross-country running    Use of official horse riding, mountain biking, four-wheel    drive, and motorcycle routes Sustainable use (such as management-approved hunting in  private protected areas and fishing) Approved non-powered flight hang gliding, paragliding,    hot-air ballooning Water-based activities, fishing, swimming, sunbaking,    canoeing, boating, sailing, white-water rafting Snow and ice-based skiers, snowboarders, ice climbers    Mountaineering and caving     Spiritual and cultural Formal access and protected areas for spiritual, ceremonial,       users (officially and cultural reasons such as traditional access routes endorsed and supported) Commemorative users Access to protected areas for commemorative purposes     (officially endorsed and such as visitors returning to site of cultural significance supported) within a protected area 47 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism • The Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism (MEET) • A guideline on Maximizing the value of birds and Network has established the MEET manual (2019) as wildlife for tourism (2015) focuses on tourism a guide to plan and promote ecotourism activities businesses in the Rift Valley/Red Sea Flyway, an and measure impacts in Mediterranean Protected ecologically important bird migration area that Areas. It describes how to establish and maintain extends through the Middle East to Africa. After an a local ecotourism cluster, the basic components introduction on the relationship between tourism and and development of an ecotourism product, conservation, the resource discusses how to enhance monitoring, marketing, and general sustainability and the visitor experience and increase revenues by conservation considerations. offering new experiences and attracting new tourist segments. It also includes information on bird-friendly • The Central Europe Eco-Tourism (CEETO) Manual practices (including certification) and protecting the of sustainable tourism governance for protected destination from tourism impacts. area managers (2020) provides basic information to support protected area managers and practitioners • The Congestion management toolkit (2014) provides so they can realize development and management a list of congestion mitigation solutions and tools to of sustainable tourism, such as the development of address specific congestion problems and issues in visitor management plans, stakeholder engagement, PAs, focusing on national parks in the United States. communication and interpretation, socioeconomic It includes categories of tools and their evaluation, benefits, certification (at destination and product implementation considerations, and cost and financial level), visitor safety, and climate change. information, as well as examples of where the tools have been used and expected outcomes based on • Visitor management tools within the Handbook previous applications. for sustainable tourism practitioners: The essential toolbox (2021) include chapters on Developing • Accessibility and inclusive tourism development in targets for visitation in parks and Optimization of nature areas (2021) provides case studies and best tourism development in destinations: an approach practices from Belgium, Costa Rica, Croatia, Spain, and used to alleviate the impacts of overtourism in the the Republic of Korea to illustrate different ways of Mediterranean region. improving accessibility in nature. It includes guidance on how to identify accessible tourism products and • The Visitor experience and resource protection (VERP) services in natural areas, in order to enable tourists framework: A handbook for planners and managers who may be physically impaired, elderly, or families (1997) is designed to provide guidance for those with young children to travel to natural areas without undertaking VERP planning. harming natural environments. 48 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism NBT can provide ample opportunities for education initiated within destinations (e.g., design, timing, and interpretation and for engaging people to learn pricing, marketing, monitoring and evaluation) and about nature and develop positive attitudes towards outside destinations by international tour operators conservation. The Interpretation handbook and standard (e.g., contracting local partners, supply chains, (2005) is a procedural manual designed for New Zealand’s product lifecycle), and gives examples of good Department of Conservation staff, concessionaires, and practice in developing NBT products and associated volunteers. It provides best practice guidance about tour packages. communicating clearly, planning interpretation, and • Ecolodges: Exploring opportunities for sustainable guided and self-guided techniques. Wildlife interpretation business (2004) summarizes the findings of two guidelines (2015) developed in Scotland aim to help tour studies IFC commissioned. The first study examined guides, countryside rangers, wildlife conservation staff, the environmental footprint of ecolodges, while the and volunteers, with examples of good practices. There second study evaluated the current and projected are also interpretation guidelines for specific types of market demand for ecolodges and assessed their wildlife tourism, such as Best practice and interpretation financial viability. With these studies, IFC sought to in tourism/wildlife encounters: A wild dolphin swim tour determine whether the environmental impacts and example (2004). financial performance of ecolodges are sufficiently positive to justify IFC’s investing in them as part of its sustainable development mission. Nature-Based Enterprise 4.7 • Examining the critical success factors of small Development operators: Entry to the nature-based tourism sectors (2006) focuses on the challenges individual businesses A considerable number of resources are available to face and the type of support required from the early entrepreneurs and businesses that wish to develop stages to actual business establishment. commercial NBT enterprises. These include a broad range of tools specifically designed for developers and investors • The Conservation marketing equation (2015) is a step- to help establish or strengthen their NBT businesses, such by-step decision support tool with accompanying as the following: worksheets that can be used to assist conservation and development professionals in choosing business • The Practical guide for the development of opportunities (products or services), that conserve biodiversity-based tourism products (2010) provides biodiversity while reducing poverty for marginalized a collection of tools and methodologies paired with rural people, such as NBT (see Figure 6). step-by-step systems for local product developers and tour operators. The guide considers tourism products Figure 6: The conservation marketing equation40 1 2 3 4 Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Select and define your Define product Define regulations/ Define institution/ Conservation products and market(s) quality, quantity, certification enterprise and value Product in relation to context Market and price chain intermediaries factors (conservation, socio-economic, and Readiness cultural objectives, and value chains) 49 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Financing Nature-Based Tourism Products The table below provides an overview of potential sources of finance for NBT, including governments, banks, donors, and investors. Types of finance include non-repayable grants, loans, equity, and combinations of financial products (or blended finance). Table 8: Sources of finance for nature-based tourism, and examples41 Source Principles Actions Grant finance Crowdfunding Using an internet-based platform to pitch a Crowdfunding platforms that are used for tourism include business proposition to a great multiple of investors Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and Goteo. Crowdfunding was who contribute funds in their individual capacities, used for financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, but cumulatively as a crowd. Investments can be including with Gofundme (Chumbe Reef42), Crowdfunder debt, equity, or rewards based. May not be available (Mara Noboisho43), JustGiving (Mahenye, Zimbabwe44 in all markets due to regulatory hurdles, and often and Randelin, Tanzania45), and Quicket (!Xaus46 and small scale. Witsieshoek lodges)47. Donors and A person or institution who gives assets to another Global Environment Facility (GEF) has a series of philanthropists person or institution, either directly or through a grant instruments that can be used to finance tourism trust (local or foreign aid assistance). infrastructure and technical assistance contributing to conservation of globally significant biodiversity. The GEF Small Grants Program are made directly to community-based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs. The grants have been used to support community- based tourism and ecotourism, including for strategy development, feasibility studies, training, establishing business facilities, tourism infrastructure, and ecotourism routes. andBeyond and Singita are luxury lodge groups in southern Africa that use donations from wealthy clients to fund tourism facilities (including private lodges and villas) and conservation.48 The National Geographic Society and Ashoka Foundation have provided competitive grants for geotourism projects over three years.49 Debt finance (loans) Banks Offer debt finance and asset finance, generally at Millennium BIM Bank established a line of credit moderate interest rates over short- to medium- for investors interested in nature-based tourism in terms, and on the strength of a company’s balance Mozambique, particularly in and around conservation sheet and track record, and secured by collateral. areas.51 Development and commercial banks in the country of a tourism project are the most commonly used Wilderness Safaris raised a bilateral loan from Stanbic vehicles for debt financing small- and mid-sized Bank Botswana to purchase an ecotourism company in ventures.50 International development banks also Kenya.52 finance hotels and tourism companies. The IFC has invested billions of dollars in 260 projects in 89 countries, including supporting tourism concessions in protected areas in Mozambique and Rwanda. 50 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Source Principles Actions Donors A person or institution who gives assets to another The GEF has a non-grant instruments (NGI) that can be person or institution, either directly or through a used to finance tourism infrastructure with concessional trust (local or foreign aid assistance). interest rates, where globally significant biodiversity is conserved. Small business Organizations that offer secured loans to small The Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF) is an lenders businesses, over short- to medium-terms, at organization that partners with entrepreneurs in moderate to high interest rates. emerging and transition markets to grow their companies through customized financial solutions and expert business assistance. Impact Devoted to the conscious creation of social impact Eco.business fund invests its money either via investing through investment. In general, it is project- intermediaries committed to promoting green finance or or venture capital-focused. Impact investing directly in businesses that pursue sustainable production blends philanthropy and private equity to more and consumption. The fund provides debt financing and sustainably achieve philanthropic objectives channels most funds into local financial institutions to through the development of self-financing support priority sectors including tourism. initiatives and enterprises that generate triple bottom line returns. EcoEnterprises Fund is an impact fund with financing from development finance institutions and individual investors.53 ESG investing Based on environmental, social, and governance The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ESG) criteria. These criteria act as a set of standards (ANDE) has chapters in East, West, and South Africa. for a company’s operations, and socially conscious Its activities include supporting entrepreneurs to investors use them to screen potential investments. identify partnership opportunities.54 Other examples include Investco Sustainable UK Companies fund and Starwood Capital.55 Peer-to-peer These match small businesses directly with In Israel, P2P lending companies include B2B oriented lending (P2P) individuals or organizations who are willing to lend towards loans for the industrial sector, while Tarya, platforms (or money. Loans tend to be short-term, made up of Blender, and Eloan target the private sector. In the United crowd-finance) many small investments, and easy and quick to Kingdom, Zopa was one of the first platforms to emerge.56 access. P2P lending often targets borrowers with low- and mid-level credit ratings. Equity finance Initial public An IPO is when a company that has decided to “go Wilderness Safaris was first listed on the Botswana and offering (IPO) public”(to transition to a publicly traded company) Johannesburg stock exchanges in April 2010, with an offers up initial shares on a publicly traded market initial public offer and a post IPO equity round in 2018. such as a stock exchange. Its investors include private equity firms TPG and Satya Capital.58 Combinations of financial products Government Can offer grant finance to tourism enterprises, often Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa funds based on certain incentive schemes. They can also tourism start-ups, expansions, and refurbishments.59 provide loans and guarantees at scale, and to small businesses, and provide finance indirectly through The US Small Business Administration has lending state-owned financial institutions. programs for loans, investment capital, surety bonds, and grants to businesses including tourism. During the pandemic, Hong Kong’s country parks raised funds from donors and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to create a fund to bridge 18 to 24 months. This allowed conservancies and the private sector to pay at least 50% of their costs.60 Also, Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service created an economic rescue package with grants to 160 community conservancies.61 51 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Source Principles Actions Donors A person or institution who gives assets to another The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus person or institution, either directly or through a (ESFD+) provides a full spectrum of funding mechanisms trust (local or foreign aid assistance). (both sovereign and private investment), encompassing grants and technical assistance, financial instruments, blending, and budgetary guarantees.62 Guarantee finance is available to governments, public entities, and the private sector. Institutional A highly diversified mutual fund for high net-worth The Africa Conservation and Communities Trust (ACCT) funders investors (pension funds, governments, nonprofit Fund uses a blended capital structure (grants and equity) organizations, companies), with substantial to help safeguard tourism companies with the highest amounts of capital to invest. High minimum potential to support critical conservation landscapes and investment, with loans typically secured at low the communities that depend on them. 64 interest rates and longer terms. The investment could be in the form of equity, quasi-equity, or debt Conservation International Ventures, LLC is an impact- finance. 63 first investment fund for conservation businesses. It provides finances to small businesses that generate positive financial returns, operating in areas that are important for people and nature. The principal capital and returned interest are used for new investments in environmentally-focused enterprises. 65 Venture Start-up or growth equity (for shares) or secured The most active travel investors globally (2018–21) were capitalist loan capital (at higher than market interest rates) 500 Startups, Y Combinator, Techstars, Crowdcube, Taiwan provided by private investors or specialized Startup Stadium, InnoVen Capital, Plug and Play, Intelak financial institutions to businesses with high Hub, Thayer Ventures, and Accel.66 potential, but with the expectation of high financial returns over shorter terms. Niche financing with caveats on scale and complexity. Angel investor A high net worth individual or very small group The Investors Circle is a group of angel investors through (to spread risk or increase available funds) who the American Sustainable Business Network. They aim provides start-up or growth capital in promising to pull together money, expertise, and connections for ventures, either in exchange for convertible debt people creating a better economy in the United States, or equity, and helps indirectly with advice and including for tourism. contacts. Niche financing with caveats on scale and complexity. Family and Can provide either equity or debt (sometimes Microenterprises, like family-run bed and breakfasts, and friends unsecured), usually in small increments, and on community-based enterprises like homestays, require variable and flexible terms to either kickstart or small investment sums that can be financed by friends expand a business. This can prove very risky for and family. relationships. Two chapters in the Handbook for sustainable tourism in Africa. Getting financed: 9 tips for community joint practitioners: The essential toolbox (2021) can help nature- ventures in tourism (2014) is a practical guide that explains based tourism enterprises secure financing, on Feasibility how community joint ventures can move out of the donor- studies, business plans and predicting returns for new and grant-funded sphere and towards more competitive lodging facilities, and Funding proposals for new tourism capital markets, with guidance to reduce risk and improve ventures. their access to commercial finance. The guide highlights that community joint venture partnerships contain high Joint venture agreements between private operators and levels of risk, and that this risk usually is too high for banks community entities have been used as a tool to provide to assume. However, this risk can be reduced to more equity in tourism businesses to local people, particularly 52 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism acceptable levels through better market-orientation and return of investment of the nature and adventure tourism by providing a more competitive enabling environment. compared with mass tourism in the region and presents a series of case studies from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Australia, Investing in sustainable nature and adventure-based Indonesia, Spain, and the Cayman Islands. These analyses tourism in the Coral Triangle (2017) explores the benefits are also supplemented by an investment prospectus for of investing in low-impact, high-value sustainable ventures nature-based tourism in the Coral Triangle. by contrast to mass tourism. The paper analyses the Box 9: Increasing equity of Damaraland Camp for the Torra Conservancy, Namibia The joint-venture agreement for Damaraland Camp signed in 1996 between the Torra Conservancy and Wilderness Safaris established that from year 10 to 15 of the partnership, Wilderness Safaris gifted the conservancy 20% equity in Damaraland Camp per annum, until they owned 100%. The conservancy then chose to sell a portion back to Wilderness Safaris to form a joint-venture equity partnership. Wilderness Safaris was offered and purchased 60% of the Camp back from the Torra Conservancy. They are now operating as equity partners with the joint venture leasing the land from the conservancy for a fee based on a percentage of revenue. Both Wilderness Safaris and the conservancy invested capital for an upgrade of the camp. The reinvestment of “community capital” into the project is one of the first instances in Namibia that did not involve donor funding or loans. In 2010, Wilderness Safaris assisted the conservancy to raise a bank loan of $62,000 based on the collateral of their shareholding in Damaraland Camp. This money was used to build Damaraland Adventurer Camp, the first instance of a community raising their own funds for building purposes. 53 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Guidance for Varied Tourism Products Guidance developed for different types of NBT products include: Community-Based NBT Operations Guidelines for community-based ecotourism development (2001) includes consideration as to whether ecotourism is an appropriate option for a community, participatory ecotourism planning, developing viable ecotourism, and strengthening benefits to the community and the environment. Community nature-based tourism development (2011) provides a five-step process for development, including assessing raw materials, envisaging the finished product, planning, implementing, and evaluating success. Adventure Tourism Adventure tourism (2006) is an introductory text that looks at commercial adventure tourism products based on nature, including expeditions, rafting, kayaking, diving, surfing, skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, horse riding, hiking, mountain biking, and safaris and wildlife. The book Adventure tourism and outdoor activities management (2019) provides case studies from successful professionals in the adventure tourism industry and guidance on managing products and customers. The book also explores sustainable tourism, changing markets, technology, corporate social responsibility, and climate change. Adventure tourism: The new frontier (2003) uses case studies to examine the product, the adventure tourist profile, and issues such as supply, geography, and sustainability. International case studies include gorilla-viewing holidays, trekking on Mount Everest, diving holidays, and Outward Bound packages. 54 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Geotourism Volcano and geothermal tourism (2015) provides a global review and assessment of the sustainable use of active and dormant volcanic and geothermal environments for geotourism. There are over 1,300 active volcanoes worldwide, some of which are developed as tourist destinations, such as Mount Fuji in Japan, Teide in Spain, and Yellowstone in the United States. A National Geotourism Strategy (2021) has been devised that establishes seven strategic goals for geotourism in Australia. Marine and Water-Based Tourism A practical guide to good practice: Managing environmental impacts in the marine recreation sector (2003) is a handbook covering practical elements of marine tourism, such as anchoring, boat operation and maintenance, waste disposal, snorkeling and diving, seafood consumption and souvenirs, recreation fishing, and marine wildlife viewing. Guide to good practices for sustainable tourism in marine-coastal ecosystems (2011) presents detailed information about the marine coastal ecosystem and the environmental resources most used by tourism activity in the above-mentioned ecosystem. It analyzes the potential problems of tourism activity and recommends best management practices to improve company management. It addresses lodging construction, management of energy, water, waste and chemicals, transportation, biodiversity conservation, and suppliers. The book Marine tourism (1998) examines both successful and unsuccessful tourism in coastal and marine environments with a series of case studies. It includes an overview of the history, development, and growth of marine tourism and describes the characteristics of marine tourists and the vendors of these tourist activities, as well as management techniques to reduce negative impacts and maximize benefits. Water-based tourism, sport, leisure, and recreation experiences (2007) describes a diverse range of water-based activities, such as sailing, motorized water sports, fishing, diving and snorkeling, rafting and kayaking, and the sustainability of these ventures. 55 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Desert Tourism Tourism and deserts: A practical guide to managing the social and environmental impacts in the desert recreation sector (2006) seeks to promote desert tourism as a leading source of sustainable development. It aims to support the tourism industry in the development of deserts as tourist destinations, with respect for local populations and sustainable development criteria. Mountain Tourism Tourism and mountains: A practical guide to managing social and environmental impacts of mountain tours (2007) was created to help mountain-based tour operators and other mountain recreation professionals improve their environmental and social performance. The handbook provides an overview of mountain ecosystems and communities and a discussion of the nature and potential impacts of mountain tourism and tour activities. It also includes good practices for a range of key issues related to mountain tourism and a self-assessment checklist for operators. 56 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism development guidelines (2020) for the private sector Box 10: Case study on assessing tourism potential: on the development of ecotourism facilities and Assessment of nature-based tourism in South experiences in Queensland’s national parks. The Kelantan, Malaysia (2011) guidelines include best practice criteria, guidance on conducting site suitability assessments, requirements for certification from an accredited certification scheme, and case studies of ecotourism operation in Australia, Costa Rica, and Namibia. • Ireland: The Teagasc rural tourism booklet (2016) is a guideline for farmers in Ireland, providing information on a range of commercial accommodation activity and attraction options. It gives guidance for business planning; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analyses; and marketing, with case studies. The Ecotourism handbook for Ireland Nature-based tourism components and features (undated) also provides information on the ecotourism vary considerably from one destination to another. market, business planning and funding, certification, In Malaysia, the location, quality, and quantity of and marketing. natural resources and their infrastructure had not • Indonesia: Sustainable tourism around marine been well documented. An assessment was made protected areas. A practical handbook for imple- of the potential of natural tourism destinations in mentation in Indonesia (2020) is a tool to empower South Kelantan, by selecting 15 destinations, such decision makers at all levels with practical actions to as waterfalls and caves, as case studies. Based on create immediate and lasting change to safeguard geographical information systems (GIS) application, Indonesia’s remaining pristine marine habitats. It 23 indicators for tourism destination assessment uses the existing rich body of knowledge to provide were investigated using observation and checklist a practical guide for the application of sustainable techniques. The destinations were further classified tourism to benefit the existing and emerging marine based on physical features, infrastructure, and protected areas (MPAs) in the country. accessibility. The assessment found that GIS • Latin America: Toolkit for sustainable tourism in Latin application is effective in providing higher quality of America (2005) describes processes that can help information for natural tourism destinations and can tourism entrepreneurs improve their sustainability by be an essential tool for decision making. developing new products and services, or improving existing ones. Through three modules, it provides a background for the identification of sustainability issues faced by enterprises and destinations and recommends actions to overcome them. It also Regional and National Guidance offers marketing recommendations to position those products in the market. Regional and country-specific guidance for NBT product development and marketing is also available, including for • Southern Africa: The Southern African Development the following places: Community (SADC) Guideline on cross-border tourism products in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) • Australia: The Queensland ecotourism development (2018) provides guidance for the development of toolkit (2016) helps developers navigate the planning cross-border tourism products. It includes practical and regulatory process, in Queensland, Australia, evidence-based guidance on a step-by-step process streamline assessment processes, and ensure that to develop cross-border tourism products with impacts on sensitive environments are mitigated. The associated templates, in addition to case studies of toolkit is complemented by Best practice ecotourism good practice. 57 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism • United States: Making nature your business (2002) with them, and can also be used as a train-the-trainer is a step-by-step guide designed for farmers and tool. Green marketing trends (2009) provides an ranchers in Texas, United States, to help them start overview of green market trends using the language, NBT enterprises. Nature tourism: A guidebook for research findings, and market segmentation of evaluating ecotourism opportunities (2009) helps U.S.-based markets to help explain wildlife-friendly landowners who are considering establishing a products and the role of certification in branding. As tourism or recreation enterprise. Topics include a complementary tool, New and evolving web-based options for tourism and recreation businesses, product marketing (2009) helps enterprises to find market development, financial plans, marketing plans, legal outlets for their wildlife-friendly products. Nature- and regulatory issues, and safety procedures. Planning based tourism marketing (undated) provides a step- and managing agritourism and nature tourism by-step guide for businesses to develop their product enterprises: A handbook (2006) is a how-to manual and service mix, people market identification, price, for farmers, ranchers, and the professionals who work partnerships, packaging, and promotion. Box 11: Examples of good practices in nature-based tourism operations Case studies in ecotourism (2003) is a book with 170 examples of ecotourism, ecolodges, private reserves, and public parks. The case studies range from the world’s best models to test cases, small and large, unique to representative and illustrate ecotourism’s achievements and constraints. Indigenous ecotourism (2006) is a book that examines the key principles of the segment from a diverse range of case studies drawn from different regions. It analyzes the key factors for sustainable development and the management of indigenous ecotourism. Private sector tourism in conservation areas in Africa (2019) uses 32 comprehensive case studies of accommodation facilities in 11 African countries to provide guidelines for optimal benefits and sustainable NBT. The book includes descriptions of the various models for the private sector to engage in tourism in conservation areas in Africa and guidance on identifying the most suitable private sector tourism options to promote long- term sustainability. Tourism for development (2018) is a compilation of 23 international good practice case studies that highlight tourism’s contribution to sustainable development. Among these are nature-based tourism cases, including Sabyino Community Livelihood Association in Rwanda, El Carlos Ecotourism and Archaeological Centre in Colombia, and Chumbe Island Coral Park in Tanzania. Tourism product development interventions and best practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Part 2: Case studies (2010) describes the wildlife conservancy program in Namibia, hiking tourism on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and safari operators &Beyond and Wilderness Safaris, among others. A synthesis report based on the case studies is also available. Ecotourism and conservation in the Americas (2008) shares 16 case studies and regional overviews from the United States and Latin America. Tourism, local livelihoods, and the private sector in South Africa: Case studies on the growing role of the private sector in natural resources management (2003) examines how changing institutional arrangements and policies affect poor people’s livelihoods and access to natural resources. Six different scenarios are analyzed to demonstrate how government, NGOs, the private sector, and rural communities have influenced rural livelihoods through tourism practices in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Wilderness Safaris: Ecotourism entrepreneurship (2018) is a case study from Harvard Business School that explores whether the African company can find a sustainable growth path that will allow it to profitably expand its business and meet its shareholders’ interests while achieving its objectives to protect and invest in the ecosystems and communities. 58 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 4.8 Impacts of Nature-Based by recognizing tourism as a valuable sector of the global economy, and for destinations that can catalyze Tourism development. Nature-based tourism, environment and land management (2003) looks at the economic, social, Nature-based tourism can have a variety of impacts, both and environmental consequences of nature-based positive and negative. The types of impacts are broad in tourism, and its effects on land managers. It discusses their range, and affect natural resources, local economies, the importance of links and partnerships, as well as the culture and society, as well as tourists themselves. This conflicts between commercial tourism interests and section reviews examples of tools, guidance materials, land management agencies. and illustrations of NBT impacts that can help practitioners As guidance for NBT businesses, Green your business: with the difficult task of establishing the balance between Toolkit for tourism operators (2008) is a Canadian positive and negative impacts. handbook that provides user-friendly, accessible, and practical tips for operators in PAs in becoming more Environmental Impacts environmentally sustainable. It gives tools for different business processes (e.g., product development, All forms of tourism have impacts on the natural marketing, purchasing etc.) and by need (e.g., energy, environment. The impacts of ecotourism tend to be waste, water, outdoor environment, carbon neutral, concentrated in areas of highest conservation value, socio-cultural). hence, the need to manage and minimize these. The Routledge handbook of tourism and the environment (2012) explores and critically evaluates the debates Nature-Based Tourism and Biodiversity and controversies inherent to tourism’s relationship Nature-based tourism can generate important positive with nature. Its sections include the philosophical impacts on natural habitats and wildlife, but if not properly basis of the environment, different types of ecosystems managed, it can damage the natural resources on which and the negative and positive impacts upon them, it is based. Not only can it undermine the quality and environmental policy and management mechanisms, integrity of biodiversity, it can also lead to a deterioration and contemporary and future issues. Environmental of the visitor experience itself. There are a number of impacts of ecotourism (2004) is a book that reviews the background papers that describe the key issues between environmental impacts and management of particular tourism and biodiversity. These include the following: NBT activities, such as hiking and camping, off-road • UNWTO’s Tourism and biodiversity: Achieving vehicles, and recreational boats, and impacts specific common goals towards sustainability (2010) illustrates to certain ecosystems (e.g., marine environments, the high value of biodiversity for tourism, outlines polar coasts, mountain environments). Conservation current policies, guidelines, and global initiatives in tourism (2010) is a book that focuses on case studies which the interrelationship between tourism and from tourism companies that have made positive biodiversity is addressed, as well as identifies risks contributions to the conservation of global biodiversity. and challenges for the tourism sector from the global These case studies range from private marine reserves loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The to bird watching lodges in different regions across the report includes 10 recommendations for actions on world. Tourism, recreation and sustainability (2008) biodiversity and tourism for governments (at national presents a discussion from leading contributors on the and destination level), the tourism private sector, impacts of tourism on local culture and the environment international organizations, and NGOs. in sections on frameworks and approaches, tourism and destinations, and culture. Tourism development • Towards nature positive travel & tourism: Traveling in and the environment: Beyond sustainability? (2009) harmony with nature (2022) is targeted towards the explores the tourism-development-environment nexus, travel and tourism industry. It explains the importance 59 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism of nature (related to emerging zoonotic diseases and • Biodiversity: My hotel in action (2008) is a guide to climate change), and how the tourism industry can the sustainable use of biological resources in hotel identify its impacts and then contribute towards its accommodation. It aims to support positive impacts protection and restoration. The report outlines a four- of biodiversity through hotel restaurants, guest rooms phase roadmap towards nature-positive travel and is and public spaces, souvenir shops, hotel gardens, and accompanied by a toolbox of nature-positive tourism in the broader destination area. The guide includes resources and case studies. information from TRAFFIC, an NGO working to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to • Wildlife-based ecotourism as sustainable conservation conservation, on sustainable use of specific biological strategy (2016) is a research report that includes an resources, such as fish and seafood, wood, and analysis of 208 wildlife-based ecotourism enterprises. aromatic plants. The study reviews ecological, socio-political, and economic management contexts of the enterprises, • Guidance for a quality nature tourism industry and describes extensive and varied impacts on (undated) provides practical advice to tourism wildlife. These include indirect impacts related to the businesses on how to reduce the environmental reduction of threats and direct impacts resulting from impact of a nature-based business, ensuring local the tourism activities themselves. communities are integrated into the business models and visitors respect the surrounding nature and • The paper Net effects of ecotourism on threatened cultural heritage. species survival (2016) explores the effects of tourism on threatened species, which may rely on NBT for conservation funding. It uses population viability Animal Welfare analyses to calculate the net effects of ecotourism on There has been increasing interest in animal welfare issues expected time to extinction in the presence of other in tourism, and particularly in relation to the treatment of anthropogenic threats such as poaching, primary wildlife interactions. Concerns relate mainly to situations industries, and habitat loss. where wildlife are in captivity, petted, or fed, or where visitors can interact directly with them, such as swimming • The relationship between amount of visitor use and with dolphins or riding elephants. There are concerns that environmental impacts (2019) is a paper that outlines social media, and the desire of travelers for photos with the theory behind establishing visitor capacity in animals, is fueling interactions with captive animals that PAs. This is complemented by Impacts to wildlife: live in poor conditions.67 Furthermore, research suggests Managing visitors and resources to protect wildlife that travelers are not good at establishing whether (2019), which provides an overview of literature on animals are being well treated or not.68 The book Tourism the impacts of recreation on wildlife and factors that and animal welfare (2018) explores the diversity of tourism influence wildlife responses (e.g., type of activity, experiences with animals (including shark and elephant visitor behavior, frequency and magnitude of impacts, tourism, sport hunting, zoos, and aquariums), and ethics, timing, and location). animal rights, and human obligations to animals. The Resources that can help to enhance the positive impacts Global welfare guidelines for animals in tourism (undated) of NBT on nature include the following: have six associated manuals, including on animals in • The guidelines on biodiversity and tourism captive environments (e.g., dolphins and elephants), development (2004) provide a tool to implement the wildlife viewing, and working animals. The guidelines Convention on Biological Diversity, an international strive to encourage good practices in animal protection treaty to promote the conservation of biodiversity, and welfare from travel businesses and suppliers of animal through tourism, focusing on policy and governance. experiences. These are freely available to Association of Managing tourism and biodiversity (2005) is a user’s British Travel Agents (ABTA) members and are available manual on the above guidelines. for purchase by non-members and partners. TripAdvisor 60 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism has an online portal on Improving animal welfare in from great ape tourism programs and their impacts, tourism, which provides articles on animal rights, tourism, and guidance for the planning, development, and conservation, and sustainability. For Airbnb hosts, there are implementation and monitoring of visits. There is also animal welfare guidelines for Airbnb Experiences (2019). species-specific information for gorillas, chimpanzees, To guide the tourism sector on purchasing decisions and orangutans. that support wildlife, the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance • Birds: Guidelines of best practice for bird friendly has published Protecting wildlife by buying informed: hotels in Egypt (undated) are an attempt to ensure A corporate toolkit (2017). The guide helps companies the overall benefit of the Egyptian tourism industry, to play a role by closing off supply chains, educating the local communities of the flyway, and migratory birds, public, and raising awareness of the need to shut down the including a reduction in the threats posed to birds as markets for illegal wildlife products. The book Wild animals they migrate through Egypt. It provides guidance on and leisure (2018) is a collection of papers that provides an bird-friendly administration (e.g., laws, marketing, staff in-depth analysis of the rights and welfare of humans and development), management and design, and services wild animals and seeks to improve the conditions under (e.g., tours and activities). From Australia, there are also which wild animals interact with and are engaged with by Best practice guidelines for commercial wild bird feeding humans. practices on private land (undated). These guidelines Guidance for Specific Habitats and Types include information about the legal framework, types of of Animal feed, risk management, and visitor interpretation. A series of guidelines have been developed for tourism • Marine tours: A practical guide to good practice for involving specific types of wildlife or habitats. These marine-based tours (2008) is designed to help marine include: tour operators improve their environmental and social performance, as a way to both contribute to marine • Primates: Best practice guidelines for great ape tourism conservation and the economic development of coastal (2010) provides information for existing and potential communities, and increase their attractiveness to great ape tourism sites that wish to enhance the increasingly discerning consumers. A series of tools and conservation of great apes. It includes lessons learned guides to support shark and ray tourism can be found 61 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism in A guide to best practice: Responsible shark and ray Economic and Financial Impacts tourism (undated), produced by WWF, Project AWARE, and the Manta Trust. The resources include tools to Nature-based tourism can generate a range of economic help select sites, evaluate performance, build social and financial impacts. At the national level, PA tourism licenses, understand market and legal requirements, revenue can contribute to foreign exchange earnings and and practice responsible provisioning. Guidance is the balance of payments, and these can be used to justify also provided for management authorities including expenditures on conservation or provide revenue directly examples of codes of conduct. Specific guidelines are to PA authorities for conservation. The financial benefits given for different types of rays and sharks, including generated from tourism services can also incentivize local basking sharks, reef and pelagic sharks, whale sharks, people to care for nature and encourage the private sector mobulid rays, and stingrays, and shark cage diving. to conserve biodiversity. These benefits may include ownership and equity in businesses, benefit sharing from • Coral reefs: A guide to coral reef restoration for tourism revenues, money earned from jobs or the sale of the tourism sector (2022) provides an overview of products and services to tourists or operators, or corporate the tourism sector’s engagement with coral reef social responsibility initiatives. conservation efforts in the Caribbean region, including results of public opinion research. It presents guiding A number of resources quantify and illustrate the range of principles and best practices for the tourism sector economic and financial impacts from NBT. These include to plan and implement coral reef protection and the following: restoration efforts effectively, and a checklist of best practices. • Biodiversity, nature-based tourism, and jobs (2012) • Rivers and waterbodies: Environmental sustainability provides a literature review on the magnitude and for river cruising (2013) is a best practice guideline range of economic benefits for conservation and local designed to support this sector around the world. It community incomes from NBT. offers principles for environmentally sustainable river • The economic impact of global wildlife tourism (2019), cruising and specific guidance relating to energy, by the WTTC, is an effort to quantify the economic water, wastewater, solid waste, communications, and value of wildlife tourism. It estimated that its direct environmental management systems, in addition to economic contribution to world GDP in 2018 was partnerships and cooperation. River tourism (2009) $120.1 billion, or five times the value of the illegal uses international cases studies to explore a range wildlife trade (see Box 13). of perspectives, including heritage, management, environmental concerns, and marketing. • Towards measuring the economic value of wildlife watching tourism in Africa (2015) looks at the wildlife- watching market segment in Africa. Based on a survey Box 12: Visitor engagement in species with government institutions and tour operators, the identification and research briefing paper considers a range of economic benefits, iNaturalist is a nature including employment and contributions to nature app that helps people conservation. to identify plants and • Walk on the wild side (2015) is a research article animals and connect to nature. People can use its that estimates the global magnitude of visits to PAs. crowdsourced species identification system and The analysis found that, in 2015, visits generated occurrence recording tool to record their own approximately $600 billion a year in direct in-country sightings, identify species, and collaborate with expenditure and $250 billion a year in consumer others to collect information. surplus. Notably, these values dwarf current (and 62 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism typically inadequate) PA conservation expenditures. analysis calculated that IFFs in the wildlife tourism Benefits from ecotourism to local communities have sector in southern Africa were over $22 billion from been found to include reductions in hunting and 2006 to 2015, deriving mainly from tax evasion and increases in wildlife sightings, for example in Lao PDR. trade mis-invoicing. • The book Economics for the wilds: Wildlife, diversity and development (1992) provides a theoretical and practical basis for understanding the value of wild resources as well as the strategies for conserving Box 13: Key findings from Economic impact of them. The book explores specific uses of wildlife and global wildlife tourism (2019) their habitats (both sustainable and unsustainable) and topics including community-based development, tourism, poaching, and the impact of conservation on wildlife use. • Nature tourism, conservation, and development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2010) provides an evaluation and policy advice relating to NBT in this destination. The contributors explore three key issues: (1) the creation of a true nature tourism economy that supports biodiversity conservation; (2) the role of the private sector in contributing to equitable development, job creation, and conservation finance; and (3) alternative pricing and other market mechanisms that can help make nature tourism more • Wildlife tourism directly contributed $120.1 viable and growth-oriented. billion in GDP to the global economy in 2018, • Assessing and valuing the recreational ecosystem or 4.4% of the estimated direct global travel and services of Germany’s national parks using travel cost tourism GDP of $2,751 billion. This represents models (2017) uses results from over 24,000 interviews. over five times the value of the illegal wildlife The research found that the lower-limit consumer trade. surplus of recreation in German national parks totals • Once additional multiplier effects across the €385.3 – 621.8 million (including only visitors whose global economy are allowed for, the total trip decisions were influenced by the parks’ protected economic contribution of wildlife tourism comes status), while an upper-limit value reached €1.690 to $343.6 billion. – 2.751 billion (including all visitors). Thus, national • Over one-third of all direct tourism GDP across parks generate enormous non-monetary values for Africa in 2018 attributed to wildlife (36.3%). German society. • 21.8 million jobs globally are supported by • From a different perspective, the report on Assessing wildlife tourism. the extent and impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the wildlife and tourism economic sectors in southern Africa (2017) describes illicit movements of money or products that are illegally acquired from one country The next two sections describe further examples to another. The money typically originates from three of resources that cover the contributions of NBT to sources in the private sector: commercial tax evasion, conservation finance, as well as the financial benefits to trade mis-invoicing, and abusive transfer pricing. The local communities and economies. 63 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Conservation Finance that if tourists who wish to contribute towards conservation were identified during marketing and Revenue raised from tourism, such as entrance fees and booking, then conservation tourism enterprises could other fees paid for the use of natural and PAs, can directly notify conservation trusts to seek donations. contribute to their management and conservation. However, in some areas, funds generated from tourism • Building a wildlife economy (2019) is a working go to central government treasuries, and conservation paper on the development of nature-based tourism budgets do not necessarily reflect the level of this income. in Africa’s state PAs. In part, the paper provides a For example, Estimating tourism’s conservation area synthesis of research on economic impacts of tourism financing in Mozambique (2016) demonstrated that 93 on the continent, and includes a series of case studies PAs in the country generated $24.4 million in 2013 from from Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Costa tourism-related activities, but only a small portion accrued Rica. to conservation area management. • The Economic analysis of rhino conservation in a land- use context within the SADC region (2005) reviewed Resources that provide information on the benefits of NBT the added value that rhinos add to wildlife operations for financing conservation include the following: on state and private land in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) through wildlife • National park entrance fees: A global benchmarking viewing and trophy hunting, and their impacts on focused on affordability (2019) reviews data from community-based tourism and rural livelihoods. 62 countries and establishes that PAs in low-income countries are on average 30 times less affordable to • Tourism revenue as a conservation tool for threatened citizens than in high-income countries. This has equity birds in protected areas (2013) is a paper that implications, and may supress visitation rates, thereby quantifies the contribution of tourism revenue for reducing the degree to which citizens attach value to, bird species on the IUCN Red List, using a simple and are willing to support, national parks. accounting method. The paper highlights that critically endangered bird species rely on tourism • The Contribution of tourism revenue to financing more heavily than endangered species, and many protected area management in Southern Africa (2017) PAs could enhance their management budgets by is a paper that assesses the extent to which tourism promoting birdwatching tourism specifically. contributes towards biodiversity financing for PA management in the region. Using country reports • Mapping the global value and distribution of coral to the CBD, it highlights that, although tourism is reef tourism (2017) estimates that this ecosystem a significant revenue source for PA authorities in service has a global value of $36 billion per year, from southern Africa, how it is retained and reinvested back on-reef and associated off-reef activities. into conservation management remains ambiguous. • Finance tools for coral reef conservation: A guide • Private conservation funding from wildlife tourism (2018) highlights that public and private capital, both enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa: Conservation philanthropic and return-seeking, must be leveraged marketing beliefs and practices (2018) describes to develop diversified and sustainable self-generated how some commercial tourism companies provide revenue flows that can drive conservation impact. substantial funding for private reserves, communal Tourism fees, including entrance fees, permits, and conservancies, and public PAs, and for anti-poaching, concessions, are among the tools considered. breeding, and translocation programs. It suggests 64 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Box 14: Studies on tourist’s willingness to pay for nature-based tourism71 A number of papers explore visitors’ willingness to pay (WTP) for NBT and to visit natural attractions. These studies ask respondents to specify how much they are willing to pay to visit an area under different conditions. The WTP studies have often found that tourists are (1) willing to pay to visit PAs and (2) are willing to pay more than the established fee. For example: • Contingent valuation of ecotourism in Annapurna conservation area, Nepal: Implications for sustainable park finance and local development (2008) found that on average visitors were willing to pay $69, rather than the actual entrance fee of $27. • ricing policy for tourism in protected areas: Lessons from Komodo National Park, Indonesia (2001) found that P although only 6.9% of park fees were recovered, tourists were willing to pay more than 10 times the current entrance fee. • T ourists willingness to pay to visit Tanzania’s National Parks: A contingent valuation study (2015) found that non-residents would be willing to pay substantially higher fees in the Serengeti National Park and that this would not seriously reduce the level of visitation. It was predicted that phasing-in a $60 increase in the Serengeti conservation fee over several years could raise an additional $14.8 million by 2020 (equivalent to increasing the park’s revenue by 57%). • ser fees as sustainable financing mechanisms for marine PAs: An application to the Bonaire National Marine U Park (2010) found the average WTP for annual access ranged from $61 to $134, although the actual fee at that time was only $10. • illingness to pay entrance fees to natural attractions: An Icelandic case study (2008) explores the options for W entrance fees where they were not already in place. The study found that over 92% of the 252 respondents were willing to pay an entrance fee. • T ourists’ willingness to pay for wildlife viewing and conservation in Namibia (1999) uses a contingent valuation approach to explore WTP. The study found that each wildlife viewing tourist contributed an estimated 907 Namibian dollars to national income in the tourism sector at economic prices in 1995. The WTP analysis found that higher, daily park admission fees could result in the capture of some 18.2 million Namibian dollars new revenue per annum. Local Financial and Economic Impacts Examples of destinations and PA authorities that share information on their economic impacts include: Local people can benefit from economic linkages with NBT. This may include through employment, by selling • The Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland, which products and services that tourism companies and publishes data on NBT’s economic impacts. tourists need, or by owning tourism businesses. The State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa (2021) synthesizes • Scottish Natural Heritage published Assessing information that illuminates the value of wildlife the economic impacts of nature based tourism resource to national economies. The report provides in Scotland (2010), based on a review of existing comprehensive information on ecotourism, hunting, studies. The report found that the total visitor and fishing, as do specific country reports for Uganda, spending attributable to nature-based tourism per Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, and year (rounded and after displacement is deducted) Nigeria. These reports are also accompanied by a Wildlife is £1.4 billion with 39,000 associated full-time jobs economy resource database. in 2010. 65 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Box 15: Visitor spending effects from national parks in the United States in 202172 The United States National Park Service (NPS) uses the Visitor Spending Effects (VSE) model to calculate the economic impact of visitation. In 2021, 297 million park visitors spent an estimated $20.5 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands across the United States. These expenditures supported a total of 323,000 jobs, $14.6 billion in labor income, $24.3 billion in value added, and $42.5 billion in economic output in the national economy. Directly Affected Sectors Retail (7.1%) (8.5%) Groceries (6.4%) 8.7% Transportation Recreation Industries (2.4%) Camping 12.4% Gas $20.5 billion in visitor spending 34.3% Lodging 20.2% Restaurants Contribution to the National Economy $18.4 $18.2 $20.2 $21.2 $20.5 $15.7 $16.9 billion billion billion $14.6 billion billion $14.5 billion billion billion billion 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 66 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism illustrate the nature of local economic impacts from NBT. • Tourism British Columbia shared information on the These include the following publications: Economic value of the commercial nature-based tourism industry in British Columbia (2004). • Global: Living on the edge: Benefit-sharing from protected area tourism (2021) is a book that • Socio-economic effects of concession-based tourism presents a review of revenue-sharing approaches in in New Zealand’s national parks (2011) used a tourism Africa, created through institutional arrangements inventory and interviews to measure impacts from used by PAs and tourism enterprises. Case studies three national parks: Tongariro National Park (TNP), are included from Brazil, Israel, South Africa, and Abel Tasman National Park (ATNP), and Fiordland Zanzibar. The papers highlight the complexity of National Park (FNP). For every New Zealand dollar benefit sharing, the importance of identifying all of turnover generated by the concessions, the study relevant stakeholders, the challenges of ensuring found that a further 40 cents, 60 cents, and 30 cents equity and sustainability, and the critical importance circulated in the economy in TNP, ATNP, and FNP, of good governance. The World Bank’s Banking on respectively. protected areas: promoting sustainable protected • The U.S. National Park Service uses the Visitor area tourism to benefit local economies (2021) uses Spending Effects model to calculate Visitor spending a general equilibrium model for local economy-wide and economic effects (see Box 15). impact evaluation (LEWIE) to describe direct and indirect impacts of tourism by integrating models of actors (businesses and households) within local Impacts in Developing Countries economies around PAs in Zambia, Nepal, Brazil, and In developing countries and rural areas, local people may Fiji. The report quantifies the impacts of PA tourism not have the necessary level of skills or capital to open and on local economies to show that PAs promote operate NBT ventures. Therefore, it is important to pay conservation and development. Further elaboration attention to the design of benefit-sharing mechanisms so is provided in three published country case study that local communities can benefit and economic benefits reports for Brazil, Nepal, and Zambia: are maximized. There is a large body of case studies that 67 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Assessing the economic impact of protected – development, while cultivating local community areas on tourism economies in Brazil (2021) support for conservation in these rural areas. focuses on Abrolhos Marine National Park and the • Africa: Revenue sharing from tourism in terrestrial Whale Coast, and establishes that investment in African protected areas (2019) is a paper that the PAs pays off and is good for both biodiversity reviews the challenges of revenue sharing as well conservation and development of the local as four key components of successful revenue- economy. sharing systems, namely (1) clear identification of Assessing the economic impact of tourism in – economic benefits; (2) ensuring that benefits are protected areas on local economies in Nepal appropriate to the scale of threats to biodiversity; (2021) sets out to strengthen the economic (3) involvement of communities in decision case for the government of Nepal to promote making on the structure and process of the sustainable and inclusive tourism in its PAs by distribution system; and (4) sufficient regulatory estimating the direct and indirect benefits to and institutional support. The role of private sector local economies from protected area tourism. ecotourism in local socio-economic development in southern Africa (2016) describes the results of Assessing the economic impact of tourism in – 1,785 interviews with local community members protected areas on local economies in Zambia living around Wilderness Safaris operations in six (2021) demonstrates that through the economic countries, and the local economic impacts that have benefits it generates, PA tourism is one of the resulted. Applying inclusive business approaches to few avenues through which governments can nature-based tourism in Namibia and South Africa help support livelihoods and stimulate economic (2016) is a paper that quantifies the impacts of 68 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Damaraland Camp in Namibia and Phinda Private Using an input-output model it was estimated that Game Reserve in South Africa, through an inclusive approximately 18,000 whale watchers produce an business approach, focusing on the benefits to low- annual regional economic impact of $0.7 million income populations. Community involvement and and generate 334 seasonal and 180 year-round jobs. tourism revenue sharing as contributing factors to • Asia: Promoting the business of conservation tourism the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Jozani– in Southeast Asia (2022) describes conservation Chwaka Bay National Park and Biosphere Reserve, tourism opportunities in Southeast Asia, with Zanzibar (2018) demonstrates the complexity lessons learned from 12 tourism enterprises in Africa, of revenue-sharing arrangements necessary for Latin America, and Asia. The paper recommends success and explains how to harness sustainable businesses be designed and executed with a focus tourism so that it provides benefits beyond the upon nine core tenets: (i) define the conservation generation of revenues. Mountain gorilla ecotourism: storyline; (ii) plan for conservation gains; (iii) define Supporting macroeconomic growth and providing and deliver SMART conservation goals; (iv) invest in local livelihoods (2015) focuses on the Africa Great financial viability; (v) design for minimal footprint; Lakes region (Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic (vi) build community partnerships; (vii) maximize Republic of Congo) and reviews ecotourism-related supply chain linkages; (viii) educate for engagement livelihoods and revenue sharing. Focusing on one with conservation; and (ix) optimize conservation park where the gorillas live, Community-based branding, marketing, and sales channels. The tourism’s contribution towards conservation in paper references and lists key sustainability tools Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park (2022) is a case and standards to help businesses of all scales study describing the development of community design and manage conservation tourism. Nature- cooperatives operating cultural activities for park based marine tourism in the Coral Triangle (2015) visitors. In doing so, the initiative supports over 300 provide baseline data and analysis of tourism and vulnerable women by providing opportunity to sell nature-based tourism in six countries: Timor-Leste, woven baskets to tourists. Living outside the fence Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, (2013) describes a supply-chain analysis undertaken Indonesia, and Malaysia. The value of wildlife in the South African Sabi Sand Game Reserve to tourism around Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in establish the range of commercial opportunities Rajasthan, India, for wildlife conservation and local available to local entrepreneurs neighboring the communities (2018) established that tourism and PAs. Making success work for the poor: Package associated services in and around Sawai Madhopur tourism in Northern Tanzania (2009) presents the generated per annum a total of $33.4 million, while results of a value chain analysis on safari circuits revenue from small business enterprises in villages including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and the safari with tourism infrastructure was four times higher circuit from Arusha to the Serengeti National Park. than non-tourism villages. Wildlife conservation In particular, the paper explores the proportion of ecotourism in Name Et-Phou Louey National Park, tourism expenditure that reaches the poor, and Lao PDR (2021) describes how ecotours in the options to boost this value (see Figure 7). park have been designed to create direct links • Latin America: The nexus between governance between conservation and tourism. Collectively, and the economic impact of whale-watching (2018) local employment and financial incentives, provide reviews the case of the coastal lagoons in the El incentives for wildlife protection. Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico. 69 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 7: Cost components of safari and mountain climbing packages in Tanzania73 A typical mountain-climbing holiday ($1,376 in-country A typical safari holiday ($1,826 in-country spend) spend) 3% 4% 7% 1% 6% 9% 6% 37% 47% 13% 18% 14% 16% 19% Park fees Tour operator margins Wages & tips Accommodation Park fees Tour operator margins Accommodation Food & beverages Transport Transport Wages Cultural goods & services Cultural goods & services Food & beverages Economic Impact Assessment Tools for project managers and others to develop economic Nature-Based Tourism analyses through the collection, analysis, and reporting of tourism spending data at local and Tools that are in development to support the assessment of national levels. The tool is built on the foundations financial and economic impacts of tourism in PAs include: of the U.S. National Park Service’s Money Generation • Visitors count! Guidance for protected areas on Model and is currently being reviewed by the GEF’s calculating visitor numbers and their economic impact Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel. A case study (2021) was developed by members of the IUCN World applying the approach is described in Economic Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Tourism and impacts of tourism in protected areas of Brazil (2017) Protected Areas (TAPA) Specialist Group, with UNESCO and also in Economic effects assessment approaches: and the European Union This tool provides guidance Tourism economic model for protected areas (TEMPA) and examples of visitor counting, surveys, economic for developing countries (2021). analysis, and reporting approaches. Application of the Evaluating a special nature-based tourism event (2002) approach is described in the book chapter Economic evaluates the economic impact of an NBT event, “Great effects assessment approaches: US National Parks Salt Lake Bird Festival,” and provides the questionnaire approach (2021), and a massive open online course is template for use by others. Box 16 provides examples of forthcoming from the EU. the value of birding tourism in different countries and • The Tourism economic model in protected areas options to maximize value. (TEMPA) is an assessment tool that aims to guide 70 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Box 16: The value of birding tourism in different countries and maximizing tourism potential74 • In 1999, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute estimated that 41% of its $1 billion tourism revenues was from tourists who came primarily for the purpose of birdwatching. • In 1997, South Africa received between 11,400 and 21,200 birdwatchers per year who contributed $12 to $26 million to the South African economy. • A study of villages in Poland that have established stork nesting colonies indicated that tourists spent an average of $60 per visit (excluding travel costs) and $120 per visit (including travel costs) as a result of viewing the storks. • A study by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the U.K. estimated that each tourist spends £4.92 on a day trip and £55.96 on a visit to view birds. The figure below shows a range of options to maximize value from birding tourism: Enhance the enjoyment of existing Increase Increase customers revenue revenue by by offering attracting existing new types of tourists new tourism experiences Build Maximize partnerships potential of with credible the grounds to conservation attract birds organizations Engage Plan new and staff and refurbish existing communication infrastructure in a in valuing the bird-friendly way contribution Embrace of birds bird-friendly operating practices 71 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Social and Cultural Impacts • The relationship between amount of visitor use and social impacts (2019) is a paper that discusses the role Social and cultural impacts of tourism can include changes of social conditions on visitor experience, crowding, to the living standards and in the value and pride that and social norms. people have for natural assets. Tourism can encourage the conservation of culture, arts, and crafts, and promote • Indigenous ecotourism (2006) is a book that examines aesthetics, spirituality, health, and other values of well- the key principles from a diverse range of case studies being. Environmental education for visitors and local of community involvement and ownership drawn people can be used to foster better understanding of the from different regions of the world. cultural heritage value of natural resources.75 Background • Private sector tourism in conservation areas in Africa papers on social and cultural impacts of tourism include (2019) includes descriptions of the social and cultural the following: impacts of 32 NBT enterprises. • The IUCN’s Best Practice Guidelines on Tourism • Chapters within Responsible Tourism: Critical issues for and visitor management in protected areas (2018) conservation and development (2008) address local provides guidance on generating wider economic livelihoods and community-based NBT in southern benefits for communities from tourism, and reviews Africa. These include the “Impacts of wildlife tourism NBT’s social and cultural impacts. on rural livelihoods in southern Africa”76 and “Local 72 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism impacts of community-based tourism in southern • A book chapter on Planning for optimal local Africa.” 77 involvement in tourism and partnership development in the in the Handbook for sustainable tourism • Tourism, health, wellbeing and protected areas (2018) practitioners: The essential toolbox (2021) contains is a book that shares a series of case studies discussing guidance on conceptualizing, planning, and best practices for park and PA tourism development delivering optional local involvement in tourism and and their contributions to the health and well-being of partnership development. In the same volume, the visitors and local communities. chapter on Social and cultural impact assessment of • Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: tourism presents a shift in handling the complexities a systematic review (2019) of 51 articles observed of embracing an authentic understanding of both the positive associations between NBT and mental cultural and social dimensions of sustainable tourism. health, including improvements in affect, cognition, • The Rural tourism toolkit (undated) is designed to restoration, and well-being, and decreases in anxiety help local leadership in Colorado, United States, to and depression symptoms. take an objective look at their communities and determine future directions. It provides information Tools for Local Community Impact on the benefits of rural tourism, tools for community Assessments assessment and action planning, and best practices and case studies. Tools developed for leaders in tourism destinations to maximize benefits to local communities from NBT include • The Implementation plan for socioeconomic monitoring the following: program in the National Park System (2019) outlines a method for evaluating the socioeconomic impacts • Guidance for natural and cultural resource managers of U.S. parks on visitors and the public. It includes and community leaders (undated) aims to assess guidance on survey methods and provides a the impact of developing NBT on communities and standardized questionnaire. identifies how communities can be involved in the planning process, before assessing the current tourism • A practical guide to good practice for marine-based situation and potential. tours (2008) is designed to help marine tour operators improve their environmental and social performance • The Operational guidelines for community-based to both contribute to marine conservation and the tourism in South Africa (2016) provide step-by- economic development of coastal communities, step guidance for the development of community- and to increase their attractiveness to increasingly based tourism and the modification of private sector discerning consumers. structures to establish partnerships with community entities. The guidelines include a series of NBT case studies and useful guidance on troubleshooting potential challenges. 73 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Box 17: Case studies of community-based ecotourism • Reserva Bosque La Tigra: A replicable model for sustainable and community based ecotourism (2022) explains how the model contributes to the conservation of biodiversity by restoring the forest and improving ecological connectivity in Costa Rica. Consequently, healthy ecosystems allow the creation and design of ecotourism products and environmental education activities that are the basis of Bosque La Tigra’s business model. • Maggie breaks into Tanzania’s male-dominated world of wildlife tourism (2021) shares the story of Maggie Duncan Simbeye, who became the first Tanzanian woman to own and operate her own tour company in the country. • Empowering artisanal fishermen in manta ray ecotourism (2015) is a case study from Peru. To promote protection of mantas, local fishermen have been empowered through workshops, financial and technical support, and promotion of ecotourism services. The efforts have improved awareness and appreciation for manta conservation, while promoting alternative incomes for local communities. • Balancing environment conservation and economic gain through community based tourism (2018) describes the Sugba lagoon tourism project. This helped communities realize that environment conservation and income generation are directly related. The income earned from tourism is helping to augment the income of the families, while addressing the issue of declining fish stocks that threatened food security and livelihoods. • Una tourism cluster – raising awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources, by linking them to people’s livelihood (2019) describes the establishment and support to Una Tourism Cluster in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Clusters worked with 27 members to establish an eco-market; provide grants program to fund new tourism facilities; branding and standardization; and strengthening the capacity of TC Una members. 300 families directly benefit as cluster members or employees of hotels/restaurants, while more than 1,000 people indirectly benefit. 4.9 Risk Management and Nature-based tourism in peripheral areas: Development or disaster? (2005) examines problems of NBT development Climate Change in peripheral areas, including sub-polar areas, alpine areas and forests, mountains, islands, and coastal environments. Risk management involves the forecasting and analysis of The book considers the opportunities that nature-based potential financial and non-financial risks and identifying tourism provides as the basis for peripheral region procedures to mitigate or eliminate their impact. Risks development. Similarly, Ecotourism’s promise and peril: can arise at the local, national, or international levels A biological evaluation (2017) considers the impacts and be either internal or external to an NBT initiative.78 that visitation can have on wildlife, including behavioral, Nature-based tourism, in addition to mountain, island, and physiological, ecological, and evolutionary impacts. The coastal tourism, is especially vulnerable to shifting climatic book also synthesizes the current state of knowledge conditions, which are likely to change the suitability of regarding best practices for reducing human impacts on destinations to certain tourist activities.79 wildlife. Tourism in changing natural environments (2019) 74 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism explores how the impacts of climate change, natural and Climate change and its impacts on tourism (1999) reviews man-made disasters, economic instability, and other macro- the impacts of climate change for a series of international environmental factors can have profound implications holiday destinations visited by United Kingdom tourists. It for local and global economies, fragile ecosystems, and examines the extent to which climate change may affect human cultures and livelihoods. From Africa, Wildlife- the environment al systems of the Maldives, European based tourism and climate: Potential opportunities and Alps, Eastern Mediterranean, Southern Spain, Scotland, challenges for Botswana (undated) highlights the decline European Lakes, South and East Africa, Australia, Florida, of wildlife due to human activities in southern Africa. It and Brazil. Climate action through regeneration: Unlocking describes how fragmentation of wildlife habitats, combined the power of communities and nature through tourism with increased climate variability due to climate change, (2022) is a white paper that outlines practical examples, poses a risk to the sustainability of a wildlife-based tourism available support, and clear action steps so that travel product in Botswana. The publication calls for the need to businesses can take action today to begin utilizing the consider adaptation measures in this sector, and to seek power of nature-based solutions to draw down emissions alternative tourism attractions and products. A report on and help destinations adapt to climate change. Figure 8: Tourism related-threats in protected areas80 Tourist Behavior Tourism Infrastructure and Policies • Quiet natural experience: Noise pollution (e.g., • Freshwater systems: Excessive wastewater and for high quality visitor experience ATTRACTIONS IMPORTANT from motor vehicles) water pollution • Wilderness experience: Trailside littering • Clean beaches: Solid waste disposal and sewage • Plant communities/habitat: Soil erosion from • Coral reefs: Anchoring practices of boats trampling • Viewscapes: Air pollution (e.g., from motorized • Coral reefs: Inappropriate diving and vehicles) snorkeling • Wilderness experience: Inappropriately sited • Wildlife viewing: Inappropriate wildlife viewing buildings, roads, and other infrastructure practices (e.g., visitors are too close, too many, • Stargazing: Inappropriate lighting too loud) • Bird habitat: Excessive fuel wood consumption • Freshwater biodiversity: Overuse of freshwater resources CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE • Vegetation: Trampling in sensitive ecosystems • Coral reefs: Inappropriate diving and snorkeling • Coral reefs: Excessive wastewater and water pollution • Bird nesting: Inappropriate wildlife viewing practices (e.g., visitors are too close, too many, • Migratory birds: Destruction of important habitat too loud) (e.g., mangroves) for tourism infrastructure • Target species: Inappropriate feeding of wildlife, • Sensitive areas: Inappropriately sited buildings, creating problem individuals roads, and other infrastructure • Natural systems: Introducing invasive alien • Sea turtles and migratory birds: Inappropriate species through horses, hiking shoes, boats lighting • Native fish: Fish stocking practices 75 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism 4.10 Monitoring and • Indicators of sustainable development for tourism destinations: A guidebook (2004) provides detailed Evaluation technical guidance on the value of indicators in measuring tourism’s impacts. The guidebook includes Effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of NBT allows indicators that can be used in NBT, including tourism managers of NBT destinations and enterprises to measure as a contributor to nature conservation. progress against selected variables to identify areas of success and failure. This information can be used to • Ecotourism tracking tool in monitoring and evaluation adapt management approaches to improve the level of of ecotourism sites or projects in the Philippines (2017) performance overall. is a tool for operational tourism enterprises. It aims to standardize sets of criteria and parameters in M&E of ecotourism sites and projects to ensure environmental Box 18: Case Study: Assessment of natural friendliness. The tool includes ratings checklists and resources for nature-based tourism: the case of questionnaire tools to help with the evaluation of the Central Coast Region of Western Australia policies, operational management, socio-cultural and (2001) biological features, ecotourism products and services, economic benefits, financing/enterprise building, and facilities. • A question of balance: Green is the new black (2009) is a self-audit workbook developed by the Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia to provide tourism operators with helpful environmental information, best practices, and a method for conducting self-audits. While not specific to NBT, it addresses environmental management issues and tools for energy and water conservation, waste management, and enhancing socioeconomic benefits. This journal paper provides a case study and the • A toolkit for monitoring and managing community- development and application of an evaluation based tourism (2007) is designed to provide readers framework to NBT activities at a destination level. The with the know-how to set up and run a monitoring framework evaluates operations based on attractions, program for a community-based tourism project. It access, supporting infrastructure, and level of gives step-by-step guidelines, supported by a wide environmental degradation. Finally, it highlights range of case studies, to enable readers to conduct some of the difficulties associated with establishing their own monitoring project. objective resource evaluation techniques for nature- based tourism. • Importance-performance analysis (IPA) to inform visitor management at marine wildlife tourism Monitoring Tools for Nature-Based Tourism destinations (2020) explains how to investigate and enhance visitor satisfaction in the short-term and for Many useful tools are available to help design and longer-term sustainability of the industry through implement M&E for NBT. The DestiMED project has visitor-informed tourism management. Its application compiled a Report on available monitoring tools (2018) is illustrated for Nature-based tourism development as a global review of current and past tourism monitoring in coastal wetlands of Sri Lanka (2021) in the Ramsar and certification programs for tourism in PAs. Some of the listed Maduganga Mangrove Estuary. tools include the following: 76 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism • Chapters in the Handbook for sustainable tourism Monitoring Tools for Protected Areas practitioners: The essential toolbox (2021) provide step-by-step guidance on monitoring approaches, For tourism in PAs, the following specific monitoring including biodiversity and stressors rapid assessment tools are available: and Designing and delivering wildlife viewing protocols that enhance sustainability. • Threshold of sustainability for tourism within protected areas: A quick guide for protected • Research and monitoring provide valuable area practitioners (2011) introduces a tourism information that can be used to make evidence- management framework called the “threshold of based decisions to improve tourism facilities and sustainability.” It is designed to enable managers visitor management. For example, The Effects of to take rapid action to mitigate the most critical Recreational Camping on the Environmental Valu threats, while beginning to lay a solid financial es of National Parks in Sri Lanka (2021) found that foundation for tourism within PAs. It includes a significant levels of environmental degradation were series of steps, including assessment of threats, evident at campsites due to biophysical impacts of identification of actions, assessing tourism finances human use and recreation, and the level of impact and the broader enabling environment, developing was unrelated to level or frequency of use. Similarly, a communications strategy, and implementing and Understanding the impact of recreational disturbance monitoring actions. caused by motor vehicles on waterbirds: a case study from the Bundala Wetland, Sri Lanka (2022) found that • Visitor counts! Guidance for protected areas on resting and foraging birds responded to recreation assessing visitation and its economic impact vehicles up to 100 meters from them, and therefore (2021) aims to establish standardized guidelines recommended a minimum setback buffer of 100 for measuring the economic impacts of tourism in meters between wetland birds and recreational PAs. It contains guidance on undertaking visitor vehicles. counting, expenditure surveys, economic analyses, and reporting the findings for the public and policy makers.82 Box 19: Citizen science for monitoring of NBT81 • Developed in South African PAs, the Sustainable nature-based tourism assessment toolkit (2003) PA managers can use citizen science, a form of provides a mechanism for tangibly and transparently protected area-based volunteerism that supports measuring management, environmental, social, and research efforts, to develop effective interventions economic characteristics of NBT in a reliable and for resource management issues. Citizen scientists comparable way. can be tourists who have traveled to a PA specifically for this purpose or local outdoor recreationists who • The Global database protected areas visitors enjoy leisure opportunities in PAs while contributing (GD-PAVIS) (see Figure 9) aims to be a new tool to their energy and skills to science. In Australia, the improve the reporting on sustainable tourism in Victoria Marine National Park and Sanctuary started protected and conserved areas. Information compiled the Sea Search citizen science project to gather in the database will help report on several global information about the health of the network of indicators (e.g., tourism use, tourism value, and Victoria’s marine parks and sanctuaries. Similarly, tourism-related economic impacts of PAs), generate the University of York in the United Kingdom used knowledge on tourism and PAs, support decision volunteers to document sightings of over 250 species making of governments in relation to sustainable of invertebrates. tourism strategies in PAs, and strengthen capacity of park managers to develop appropriate systems to store and manage information on sustainable tourism. 77 Tools Resources andResources Tools and for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 9: Global Database Protected Areas Visitors (GD-PAVIS)83 Visitor Reporting 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction Site Information Visitation Data Data Collection Methd Complete Certification and Standards is a book that considers the topic of quality control and accreditation in ecotourism, with a broad range Certification aims to foster responsible environmental, of examples and case studies. The book describes the social, and cultural behavior and provide a good quality mechanisms that can be implemented to ensure quality product to consumers. Certification provides a mechanism in all aspects of the industry, namely, PAs, businesses, through which enterprises can be recognized as having products, and tour guides. Similarly, Ecotourism and met voluntary standards of performance that meet certification: Setting standards in practice (2002) explores or exceed baseline standards or legislation, following the concepts underlying certification and highlights case independent third-party verification.84 studies of certification schemes around the world. Tourism in protected areas: Developing meaningful standards A simple user’s guide to certification for sustainable (2016) discusses partnerships between conservation and tourism and ecotourism (2010) is designed for those who tourism and how these partnerships could unfold through wish to understand how certifying sustainable tourism the work of the IUCN Green List and the Global Sustainable and ecotourism works or how to begin the process. Tourism Council. Quality assurance and certification in ecotourism (2007) Box 20: Case Study: Assessment of nature-based tourism business and tourist demand in Vlora Bay and Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, Albania (2016) This study identifies and evaluates nature-based sustainable tourism- related certification schemes available in or appropriate for Albania. The study evaluated tourist demand and tourist satisfaction in Vlora Bay, the level of information available on Karaburun-Sazan marine protected area (MPA), and approaches to nature-based initiatives. It provides lessons learned for other MPA evaluations and copies of applied questionnaires. 78 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism There are hundreds of standards and certification programs globally, but there are particularly reputable examples for Box 21: Use of certification to ensure best practice NBT. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has NBT in protected areas in Australia85 recognized and accredited certification programs for NBT, including those aligned with the following: • GSTC standards for hotels and tour operators: Such as the European Ecotourism Labeling Standard, Ecotourism Australia’s ecotourism standards, the Ecotourism Ireland Certification Program, Ecotourism Kenya’s Eco-rating Certification Scheme, Global Ecosphere Retreats from The Long Run, the Korean Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations and Tours, the Japan Ecolodge Association, and TOFTigers Initiative’s Pug Mark Eco Certification. The Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations is currently under review for recognition. Travelife for Tour Operators also audits elephant camps to ensure that they treat elephants well. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has implemented a High Standard Tour Operator program for a • GSTC standards for destinations: Such as the Green number of years, so that the majority of visitors Destinations Standard (including ecotourism and to the reef are led by certified operators. The park PA destinations), Korean Ecotourism Standard for rewards and encourages tour operators to become Destinations, and the Mountain IDEAL Destinations certified by Earthcheck and Ecotourism Australia Standard. through longer licenses, exclusive access to sensitive Additionally, the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network sites, and promotional opportunities. These no-cost sets standards for gorilla-friendly and sea turtle-friendly approaches demonstrate to operators that being tourism. Their gorilla-friendly standard is currently being sustainable, and independently certified as being so, used by the International Gorilla Conservation Program to makes business sense. establish new training materials for guides, trackers, and porters in Rwanda. 79 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 5 COVID-19 Pandemic 80 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism I n March 2020, the World Health Organization officially protected and conserved areas around the world are declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)  outbreak  a being impacted by COVID-19, including in relation to global  pandemic.86 The pandemic led to an abrupt tourism. The paper proposed a call for action towards halt in all tourism globally, caused by a combination of a more sustainable pathway, including re-building international travel restrictions, domestic lockdowns, stronger and more effectively. and closures of protected areas that aimed to slow the • COVID-19 and conservation: Crisis response strategies spread of the virus. The pandemic drove a systemic shock that benefit people and nature (2021) is a briefing with widespread implications for the survival of wildlife paper that suggests strategies to alleviate the tourism, conservation financing, and poverty.87 pandemic’s adverse effects on conservation in the The NBT sector was hit hard by travel restrictions, with Global South. Proposed policy responses included severe and systemic repercussions for conservation giving local people a greater say in the use of their and local livelihoods. Travel restrictions led to declines territories by tourists while reducing the dependence in revenues normally used for conservation finance, for of conservation funding on tourism markets, and salaries of tourism employees, and also for entrepreneurs reassessing interactions of visitors with wildlife to and small businesses that provide products and services reduce the risk of zoonotic disease emergence and within the tourism value chain.88 A plethora of research transmission. articles and opinion pieces emerged during this period. To • Resolution 130 on Strengthening sustainable tourism’s catalogue this growth, a compendium of over 1,500 online role in biodiversity conservation and community resources was compiled into COVID-19 and sustainable resilience (2021) is a motion that was adopted at the tourism: Information resources and links (2020), with NBT 2020 World Conservation Congress. The motion calls materials on resilience and recovery, market research and on the IUCN and its members to commit dedicated intelligence, impacts on tourism and destinations, and attention to nature-based tourism, including ensuring virtual tours. An overview of the impacts and implications of that NBT incorporated conservation and biological the pandemic was compiled in The future of nature-based monitoring and diversified sustainable livelihoods, tourism: Impacts of COVID-19 and paths to sustainability and established more sustainable financing (2021). This analysis offers examples of pathways towards campaigns to support key biodiversity assets during sustainable recovery, including using virtual tours and tourism industry recessions. new tourism products for domestic visitors. Further synthesis was provided during the online symposium on Crisis response & recovery: Nature-based tourism, biodiversity, and livelihoods (2021). This event brought 5.2 Impacts of the pandemic together global experts to address challenges relating to on nature-based tourism NBT, biodiversity, and livelihoods, and provide examples of solution-oriented outcomes. The event recordings and During the first two years of the pandemic, a series of a suite of resource links are available online. studies were undertaken to understand the magnitude and character of impacts on NBT, and associated implications for the environment, economies, and society. Resources 5.1 Policy papers that provide syntheses of these studies include: International agencies have compiled policy analyses to • Tourism in protected areas amid the COVID-19 support strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic  (2021), which aims to share experiences and its impacts on NBT. They include the following and examples from around the world on the impacts noteworthy materials: of the COVID-19 pandemic on protected area tourism; and considers how to build resilience within • Editorial essay: COVID-19 and protected and protected area tourism as a regenerative conservation conserved areas (2020) provides a snapshot of how 81 COVID-19 PANDEMIC Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism tool. The paper draws on resources including The impact of COVID-19 on domestic and international collapse of tourism and its impacts on wildlife tourism tourism activity in geoparks in Indonesia. Also, destinations (2020). Reimagining resilience: COVID-19 and marine tourism in Indonesia (2021) applied a Sustainable Livelihoods • The future of nature-based tourism: Impacts of Framework (SLF) to examine the social structures, COVID-19 and paths to sustainability (2021) describes agency, and livelihood capital of the surrounding both positive and negative impacts observed globally socio-ecological systems in Wakatobi National Park. on protected areas and conservation (including wildlife crime and land use change), tourism businesses, and • Namibia:  COVID-19, conservation, and tourism in local livelihoods, with numerous examples and further Namibia’s conservancies: Socioeconomic and land- links. Travel demand for NBT and adventure tourism use impacts is a chapter within Conservation, land experiences rapidly grew once travel restrictions were conflicts, and sustainable tourism in Southern Africa lifted – including among domestic visitors. (2022). It describes the socioeconomic impact of the drop in tourism caused by the pandemic, particularly For regional analyses, COVID-19 and protected area for tourism employees, craft producers, and those tourism: A spotlight on impacts and options in Africa (2021) benefiting from game meat distribution from trophy and Latin America (2021) are based on a global survey hunting. of tourism operators. The regional reports describe the impact of COVID-19 on wildlife tourism in protected areas, Several analyses have focused particular attention on the considering implications for protected areas, the tourism financial and economic impacts caused by the removal sector, and local communities. Country case studies have of NBT from national and protected area economies. also included the following: The Banking on protected areas: promoting sustainable • Antarctica: Is COVID-19 helping or hindering effective protected area tourism to benefit local economies (2021) management of Antarctic tourism? (2022) presents uses a general equilibrium model for local economy-wide a summary of Antarctic tourism activity during the impact evaluation (LEWIE) to describe direct and indirect COVID-19 pandemic and a SWOT analysis of the impacts of tourism by integrating models of actors future challenges and opportunities COVID-19 poses (businesses and households) within local economies for those operating in such a remote wilderness area. around protected areas in Zambia, Nepal, Brazil, and Fiji. Complementary country reports are also available on • Crete: Sustainable tourism development – The mountaineering village initiative (2021) is the story Assessing the economic impact of tourism in protected of Milia Mountain Retreat that reflects changes in areas on local economies in Zambia (2021) and Nepal tourism demand worldwide accelerated by the (2021). Data is presented on the monthly loss of income COVID-19 pandemic. Located in Western Crete, it has from no tourism (as was the case during the height of seen a significant increase in domestic tourists and the pandemic) demonstrating that poor households a strong growth of demand from travelers seeking suffered the greatest losses (see Figure 10). The analyses authentic experiences in the Mediterranean. recommend promoting sustainable tourism in protected areas within COVID-19 economic recovery plans and • Indonesia: The post COVID-19 tourism dilemma for providing investment that supports jobs and support geoparks in Indonesia (2021) provides a brief account and rapid assessment, utilizing qualitative data, of the economic development, while also protecting biodiversity. 82 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 10: Modeled monthly income loss from no tourism89 25 19.9 20 Income loss, millions USD 15 10 5 3.8 3.8 1.3 0.7 0 Zambia Zambia Nepal Brazil Fiji Lower Zambezi South Luangwa Chitwan Abrolhos Marine Mamanuca National Park Park Islands Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals Source: World Bank data Note: The data used in the LEWIE analysis was collected in 2019, prior to the pandemic. The modeling of a “no tourism” scenario (to mimic the COVID-19 pandemic) uses that data. With ongoing data collection, the African Nature-Based Tourism Collaborative Platform gathers information 5.3 Nature-Based Tourism on how communities and small and medium-sized Recovery and ResIlience enterprises (SMEs) are involved in nature-based tourism, their financial and staffing situation prior to COVID-19, Prior to the pandemic, sustainable tourism guidance and how the pandemic has affected these and their emphasized the need for diversification of products and resulting needs. Data is available for 11 southern African source markets to reduce the impact of shocks (e.g., from countries and country case study reports have been natural disasters, political turbulence, financial recessions produced for Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, etc.). In the wake of COVID-19, practitioners established South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. further guidance to support the adaptation of NBT The platform aims to help connect funders to the destinations and operators, to help them adapt, survive, communities and small and medium enterprises most in and improve their resilience. For example: need of funding support. 83 COVID-19 PANDEMIC Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism • Tourism and visitation to protected areas amid • Blue tourism in islands and small tourism-dependent COVID-19: Guidance for protected area authorities coastal states: Tools and recovery strategies (2022) is and managers (2021) provides pragmatic suggestions a synthesis of literature on the impact of COVID-19 for protected area managers and authorities on on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by region. operating tourism safely amid the COVID-19 crisis. The note includes a practical summary of COVID-19 Guidance is accompanied by supplementary links to recovery pathways that will help SIDS develop sources and further information. more competitive and sustainable tourism sectors. Illustrated with real-world examples, the guidance • The future of nature-based tourism: Impacts of note incorporates best practices and lessons learned COVID-19 and paths to sustainability (2021) describes on reopening to tourism over three phases: short-, forms of innovation and resilience-building by NBT medium-, and longer-term sustainability, before operations, including using the use of virtual tours and presenting some strategic pathways for “Building establishing tourism products for domestic visitors. Bank Bluer,” and introducing the Blue Tourism Case studies shared include agritourism operations Resource Portal — a database and e-library of that shifted focus towards agricultural sales to boost information about blue tourism. incomes and artisans who began making fabric masks to reduce transmission of the virus. • Mitigating zoonotic disease transmission with a One Health approach to gorilla conservation and gorilla • Tourism destination management in a post-pandemic tourism (2022) is a case study that explains how context: Global issues and destination management the Conservation Through Public Health program solutions (2021) is a book that describes issues and helps to reduce dependence of local people on challenges faced by tourism destinations, exposing natural resources to meet basic needs of food and emerging trends and proposing novel management fuelwood. This reduces threats to mountain gorillas solutions in order to develop coping capacities and and other wildlife and their habitats by addressing build resilience against the effects of potential poverty and hunger, which drive poaching and future pandemics. illegal activity. • Ten principles for sustainable destinations: charting • COVID-19 health and safety guidelines (2021) a new path forward for travel and tourism (2022) were produced for the adventure travel industry, describes how the uncertainties of the pandemic in addition to specific nature-based experiences allowed destinations time to do the inclusive including trekking, cycling, rafting, camping, conceptual work, allocate resources, and adjust cultural tours, small lodges, small vessels cruising, business models before travelers return in full. The skiing and snowboarding, and wildlife experiences, 10 principles are set out to guide decision makers in in addition to an overarching guideline for the their pursuit to “build back better,” including in NBT industry. settings. • Virtual protected area experiences in Africa: Status • Tacking the issues of overcrowding post-pandemic, and potential for post-COVID-19 resilience (2022) the book Overtourism: Lessons for a better future reviews virtual tours and experiences as a proxy for (2021) incorporates case study chapters on protected travel while physical travel is challenged. The paper areas and World Heritage Sites in Brazil, Canada, considers the current status of virtual tours for China, Ecuador, Laos, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania, and the African PAs, and their potential as a mechanism to United States. It aims to help destination re-think how sustain interest and promotional presence online and to replace unmanaged crowds with sustainable travel generate revenue for conservation and livelihoods that enriches destinations and local communities. while travel restrictions remain in place. 84 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism • Mountain tourism – towards a more sustainable path An example of new styles of destination planning in (2021) highlights the important role that tourism can light of the COVID-19 pandemic comes from Australia in play in valuing the natural and spiritual heritage of the Glen Innes Highlands destination management plan mountains and the cultural diversity and traditional (2021), which describes the destination, its strengths practices of mountain peoples.  Consumer appetites and challenges, and presents a development and brand for destinations that are outdoors and less crowded framework, strategies and actions, and a monitoring have increased in the wake of the pandemic, and framework for NBT. The plan responds to the increased these changes usher in new opportunities for demand for visitation to natural areas by people who mountain destinations to rebuild a greener and more want to challenge themselves; be outdoors and active; sustainable form of tourism and rethink their products reconnect as families; and interact socially with locals and and services. other travelers. • Opportunities for transforming coastal and marine New financial vehicles have also emerged to support NBT tourism: Towards sustainability, regeneration and destinations, enterprises, and the livelihoods they support. resilience (2022) considers the socioeconomic These include: argument for shifting to a more sustainable tourism • The Africa Conservation and Communities Tourism model as part of recovery efforts from the global (ACCT) Fund is a COVID-19 relief facility providing pandemic. The report provides a holistic assessment high-impact loans to conservation tourism operators of the current state of coastal and marine tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa. The fund seeks to ensure these and draws on 32 case studies and examples from 23 companies will survive the shorter-term impacts of the countries to identify a set of priorities designed to COVID pandemic and subsequently provide support help catalyze systemic change in destination-wide in rapidly restoring and growing their economic management through strategic investment and contributions to communities and conservation. intervention by governments to support sustainable The fund aims to use a blended capital structure to recovery from the global pandemic. help safeguard tourism companies with the highest • Slightly differently, Barcoding Galapagos: Recording potential to support critical conservation landscapes and mitigating COVID-19 impacts using key workers and the communities that depend on them, while in eco-tourism (2021) describes how naturalist guides delivering quantified, scientifically sound impact (women and men equally) without income during the outcomes and targeting to deliver a financial return to pandemic were trained to catalog the biodiversity of impact investors. the Galapagos using DNA sequencing technology. • Conservation International’s African Conservancies By providing infrastructure and scientific training Fund was established in 2020 to fund conservancies (cash for training), the process built local capacity and across Africa and achieve the triple impact on climate, resilience, with positive implications for wildlife and biodiversity conservation, and social upliftment for ecosystem conservation. communities. 85 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 6 Training Materials 86 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism T raining materials and resources are increasingly finance, enterprise development, scientific, academic, available through online courses and webinars. volunteer, and educational travel, with case studies Some of the free-to-use resources are from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Mali, described here: Montenegro, and Uganda. The course on Tourism and conservation – sustainable models and strategies The IUCN has established a free Massive Online Open provides an online workbook that focuses particularly Course (MOOC) on Valorisation of protected area on sustainable marine tourism. It gives guidance on resources, which contains three modules dedicated business planning, operations and management, staff to the IUCN Best Practice Guidelines on Tourism training, and sales and marketing (see Figure 11). All of and visitation in protected areas: Guidelines for the other courses can be applied to a variety of forms of sustainability (2018). tourism, including NBT. Training toolkit. Sustainable tourism in protected areas: Lastly, the Travel Foundation has produced a case study Resources for trainers and facilitators (2021) provides on Whale shark guide training in Mexico (2008) that supporting materials and resources for  trainers with was conducted to help boat trip operators conserve different levels of experience in training, facilitation, or whale sharks. capacity building, as well as a collection of resources that both experienced and inexperienced trainers can Relevant webinars on elements of NBT include use. The toolkit can be used to support face-to-face, the following: online, or “blended” learning, and complements an The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals offers online training platform. webinars to members and non-members on topics The European Union provides free online training for including establishing trail systems, partnerships members of the European Ecotourism network. The with federal agencies, visitor use monitoring and courses supporting NBT include ecotourism training management, and understanding economic impact for businesses and ecotourism training for evaluators in studies. English and other languages. The IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas A course manual for Interpretation techniques and (WCPA)’s Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist ecotourism management training has been developed Group (TAPAS Group) hosts webinars on NBT topics under the Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism with partners. These are available on topics including (MEET) Project. This includes guidance on the international perspectives on visitor use management; development of interpretation for NBT. the Visitor Use Management Framework, tourism concessions and partnerships, certification tools and Colorado State University’s website includes a number standards for protected areas management, and more of training materials and management tools, including than just signs on designing visitor heritage experiences. adaptation of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum for use in Latin America. The Global Wildlife Program has hosted a webinar series since 2016 that covers NBT-related issues. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Relevant webinar topics include sharing benefits from has established a series of online training resources protected area tourism with local communities (2022), on sustainable tourism. These include courses on collaborative management partnerships for protected tourism and conservation, project development, areas (2021), and estimating the economic impact of destination management, tourism investment and protected area tourism on local economies (2021). 87 Tools andMaterials Training Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 11: Contents of the course “Tourism and conservation – sustainable models and strategies” 01 02 03 04 05 06 Improve Tourism Increase Increase Income Increase Increase Tourism- Increase Operations and Conservation Diversification Monitoring and Generated Conservation Guidelines Awareness and Research Conservation Partnerships 3.1 Target resource Constituencies Financing 1.1 Promote extractors with 4.1 Increase the role 6.1 Develop sustainable tourism 2.1 Increase sustainable tourism of local residents 5.1 Utilize partnerships guidelines with awareness and employment in monitoring & sustainable tourism between protected visitors conservation research profits to support areas, NGOs, and 3.2 Develop support of visitors conservation universities 1.2 Promote sustainable tourism activities sustainable tourism 2.2 Increase products that 4.2 Increase the 6.2 Develop guidelines with awareness and directly mitigate role of visitors 5.2 Develop travel partnerships travel industry conservation conservation in monitoring & philanthropy between protected support of local threats research programs areas and 1.3 Promote residents communities sustainable tourism 5.3 Develop guidelines within 2.3 Link benefits of conservation- protected areas sustainable tourism themed brands and to the community merchandise as a whole 5.4 Promote mandatory or voluntary protected area entrance/user fees 88 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 7 Networks and Institutions 89 Networks and Institutions Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism T here are a diversity of public sector and nonprofit product development. It shares examples of interpretation organizations that provide information and materials and visitor centers for PAs. technical support on NBT.90 Provided below is an overview of notable institutions and networks that support knowledge development, capacity building and Center for Responsible Travel training, and awareness raising in the sector. (CREST) CREST is a global non-profit organization dedicated to Adventure Travel Trade Association increasing the positive global impact of responsible (ATTA) tourism. CREST provides evidence-based research and analysis to governments, policymakers, tourism businesses, The largest global network of adventure travel leaders, non-profit organizations, and international agencies to including around 30,000 individual guides, tour operators, solve the most pressing problems confronting tourism, lodges, travel advisors, tourism boards, destination the world’s largest service industry. Their website hosts marketing and management organizations, outdoor resources on climate change, biodiversity and cultural educators, gear companies, and travel media who share heritage, overtourism, the wealth gap, and responsible a belief and commitment to sustainable tourism. ATTA travel. also published a series of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for nature-based activities. Center for Protected Area Management (CPAM) American Trails CPAM at Colorado State University in the United American Trails is a nonprofit organization that advances States contributes to the conservation, planning, and the development of diverse, high-quality trails and management of the world’s PAs and the landscapes and greenways to benefit people and communities. Their seascapes that connect them through capacity building, website and resource library provide comprehensive applied research, and technical collaboration with the online sources for planning, building, designing, funding, organizations that help manage them and the communities managing, enhancing, and supporting trails, greenways, whose well-being depends on them. CPAM’s website and blueways. They also have a learning center with includes a number of training materials and management training events and a webinar series. tools, including adaptation of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum for use in Latin America. Asian Ecotourism Network This association aims to provide networking opportunities Chico Mendes Institute for to organizations in Asia. They also host an ecotourism Biodiversity Conservation standard. (ICMBio) As part of the Ministry of Environment in Brazil, ICMBio Association of Ecotourism in conducts a range of work on NBT. In 2018, ICMBio Romania managed 12.4 million visitors in 334 protected areas. The agency develops initiatives including community-based This association is  a partnership for nature conservation tourism, large concessions, and long-distance trails, as and tourism development among tourism associations, well as measures the economic impacts of visitation in PAs. NGOs, nature conservation projects, and travel agencies The institute has done considerable work on Assessing in Romania. It has activities for promotion and marketing, economic impacts of visitor spending in protected areas public awareness, ecotourism certification, strategies, and of Brazil (2017). 90 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Children and Nature Network DestiMED The Children and Nature Network aims to increase equitable DestiMED is a project that brings together 13 protected access to nature so that children – and natural places – areas to collectively manage and promote ecotourism in They invest in leadership and communities can thrive. ​​ the Mediterranean basin. The project aims to help create by sharing evidence-based resources, scaling innovative standards and monitoring methods, design ecotourism solutions, and driving policy change. packages, and develop guidelines for sustainable tourism management. Conservation International (CI) CI is a nonprofit organization that works to protect Ecoclub cience, policy, nature for the benefit of all, through s​​ Ecoclub is a forum for people who operate ecolodges and partnerships with countries, communities, and and ecotourism businesses, are ecotourism practitioners, companies. They supported the development of resources or who have a general interest in ecotourism. The forum such as A practical guide to good practice: Managing provides useful resources and discussions, as well as environmental impacts in the marine recreation sector announcements from ecolodges. Audit reports of Ecoclub (2003). EcolodgeTM members, who complete a questionnaire, provide evidence to support their claims, and pass a remote audit. Conservation Travel Conservation Travel provides a resource hub for conservation travel and aims to educate the travel industry Ecotourism Australia and travelers to promote better, innovative practices Ecotourism Australia is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting conservation goals globally. Their platform encouraging environmentally sustainable and culturally allows people to submit tools, case studies, and research responsible tourism. They design and deliver certification and reports. programs for tourism products and destinations and organize conferences and master classes. Their Ecotourism resource hub includes business tools, destination and Conservation Finance Alliance ecotourism plans, and guidance on PA management, (CFA) indigenous tourism, and visitor accessibility. They have a linkage with the booking platform Bookdifferent. The The CFA is an alliance of conservation finance experts, organization has a Geotourism Forum for its members to practitioners, and organizations that produces resources advise how geotourism can best be promoted and inspire including those that relate to NBT, such as Finance tools environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible for coral reef conservation: A Guide (2018). tourism. Department of Conservation, New European Ecotourism Network Zealand (EEN) New Zealand’s Department of Conservation is the This is a network of relevant stakeholders aiming to government agency responsible for conserving the ensure that ecotourism services in Europe contribute country’s natural and historic heritage. The Department’s to conservation and sustainability. EEN supports the website hosts a series of useful procedures and practical development and implementation of the European Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support NBT in Ecotourism Labelling Standard (EETLS), an initiative that protected areas. These include on interpretation and track ensures baseline standards of quality in ecotourism. The construction and maintenance. EETLS has been officially recognized by the GSTC. DestiNet 91 Networks and Institutions Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Figure 12: DestiNet’s Tourism 2030 Green Travel Maps App 91 to Tourism 2030 also acts as a knowledge networking Geological Society of Australia portal for sustainable and responsible tourism, with subscription options. Topics include natural heritage This society is a membership organization, that provides and biodiversity, destination management, value chain information on geotourism, including best practices on management and fair trade, cultural heritage, climate geotrails in Australia and a Geoheritage toolkit. change, knowledge/networking/training/education, certification, and marketing. The site includes a searchable database of tourism stakeholders promoting Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) sustainable tourism, as well as a Global Certification GEN is a global group of ecotourism pioneers and Quickfinder that helps tourism businesses, destinations, practitioners. Through their website and social media, and tour operators to find those certificates that are they share the latest information and initiatives related available to them in their country. This is linked to a to ecotourism. Green Travel Map, with an associated app, showing where certifications are based across the world. In Europe, the initiative aims to have all tourism in Global Sustainable Tourism protected areas certified by 2030, as a goal under SDGs Alliance (GSTA) 12, 13, 14, and 15. GSTA is a partnership of leading organizations in the sustainable tourism field working together with USAID Forum Advocating Cultural and missions to apply a holistic and market-driven approach Eco-Tourism (FACET) to sustainable tourism development. The alliance has a series of online training resources on sustainable FACET is a Western Australian network and information tourism. resource for people interested in cultural tourism, NBT, and ecotourism. The forum promotes events, conferences, and awards through its website. 92 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Global Sustainable Tourism Interagency Visitor Use Council (GSTC) Management Council The GSTC establishes and manages global sustainable The council includes representatives of six United States standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two government agencies and aims to provide guidance on sets:  Destination criteria  for public policy makers and visitor use management policies and to develop legally destination managers, and  Industry criteria  for hotels defensible and effective interagency implementation tools and tour operators. The criteria are guiding principles for visitor use management. The council produces a number and minimum requirements that any tourism business of visitor management frameworks and guidebooks, or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect including Visitor use management framework (2016), the and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, Visitor capacity guidebook (2019), and other technical while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for resources. The council has conducted webinars with the conservation and poverty alleviation. Their criteria have IUCN WCPA TAPAS Group to provide an overview of the been used by a number of certification bodies to certify visitor use management framework and its application. NBT enterprises and destinations (including PAs) across the world. GSTC provides members with access to training programs and events. Journal of Ecotourism An international journal focusing specifically on Griffith Institute for Tourism ecotourism and nature-based tourism, it seeks to advance the field by examining social, economic, and ecological Based at Griffith University in Australia, this institute’s aspects at different scales and in different regions of the strategic research areas include sustainable tourism and world. The journal publishes peer-reviewed conceptual, visitor experience design and evaluation. Its website shares theoretical, and empirical research, especially where it research reports such as Tourism planning in natural World contributes to planning development, management, and Heritage Sites (2017). good practices. IUCN’s World Commission on Linking Tourism & Conservation Protected Areas (WCPA)’s TAPAS (LT&C) Group) LT&C is a membership organization that facilitates an educational global network of tourism and conservation The TAPAS Group is a volunteer network that aims to ambassadors. Their website includes case studies of provide a platform for PA practitioners to share expertise projects and initiatives from across the world that illustrate and knowledge, enhance sustainability awareness, examples of financial or political support, or education facilitate collaboration and dialogue, and foster innovative activities. solutions to support sustainable tourism in PA systems. Globally, the TAPAS Group has over 700 volunteer members, and the group coordinates the development of The Long Run knowledge tools (including best practice guidelines and tourism concession guidelines), webinars, and events, and A membership organization of NBT businesses committed shares best practices through its website, resources page, to driving sustainability, which offers the Global Ecosphere social media, and online resources directory. More broadly, Retreats standards, recognized by the GSTC. Their approach IUCN also hosts the Panorama platform, which shares case revolves around the 4Cs of conservation, community, study solutions to address ecological, environmental, culture, and commerce. climate, and social challenges, including several on NBT. 93 Networks and Institutions Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Luke Natural Resources Institute on coral reefs and identifying economic opportunities for communities and conservation. Finland This institute promotes bioeconomy and sustainable use The National Association for of natural resources. Their work on NBT has addressed forest tourism and the recreational use of nature. Interpretation (NAI) The NAI is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated MEET Network to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 7,000 members in the United A network of conservation and tourism organizations States, Canada, and over 30 other countries. Individual collaborating on a vision of the Mediterranean as a leading members include people working at parks, museums, ecotourism destination, that benefits nature conservation nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, and local communities. MEET has produced a series of historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, tools including the MEET Ecotourism Standard (2019- and theme parks.  2021), an Ecotourism Footprint Assessment methodology (2018), an Ecotourism Footprint calculator, and a journal paper on Ecological Footprint and tourism: Development National Geographic and sustainability monitoring of ecotourism packages in National Geographic is a membership organization that Mediterranean Protected Areas (2022). provides resources and links for travel professionals, travelers, and destination residents. In particular, they Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife house information relating to geotourism, which has similar characteristics to sustainable NBT. Finland Metsähallitus is the PA authority in Finland. Its website National Park Service, United States includes information about NBT’s economic impacts. They also provide resources to support NBT such as Principles Within the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National of sustainable tourism for protected areas (2016) and Park Service is responsible for managing national parks. In Sustainable tourism in protected areas: Guide for tourism addition to providing information for visitors, the service companies (2019). also gives information for educators and produces a series of natural resource publications and visitor spending effects reports. Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations (NACSO) One Planet Sustainable Tourism NACSO aims to provide quality services to rural Program communities seeking to manage and utilize their natural resources in a sustainable manner. This includes training The objective of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism support on NBT. Its website hosts resources on joint- Program (STP) is to enhance the sustainable development venture tourism development and product development. impacts of the tourism sector by 2030, by developing, promoting, and scaling up sustainable consumption and production practices that boost the efficient use of natural The Nature Conservancy (TNC) resources while producing less waste and addressing TNC is a global conservation nonprofit organization the challenges of climate change and biodiversity. The dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which STP program shares resources through the One Planet all life depends. Its work includes NBT initiatives, including Clearinghouse online platform including those on NBT. 94 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism This provides a visible snapshot of the tools and solutions Relief International that can support countries in their shift to sustainable consumption and production. Relief International is a nonprofit organization that works with fragile countries and communities suffering from recurrent man-made or natural crises that impede Pacific Asia Tourism Association human development. One of their areas of support is in (PATA) economic development, and enterprise development, including ecotourism projects including in natural areas PATA provides a series of case studies on environmental of Bangladesh. and social performance of NBT at an activity, operator, and destination level in the Asia Pacific region. Responsible Tourism Institute Planeta.com This association and international NGO support tourism actors. They organize events, offer training, and This online resource provides coverage of conscious living undertake research and project development (including and travel and hosts information and news relating to NBT. on NBT). They use their Biosphere certification program to measure sustainability of the SDGs. Planeterra Planeterra is a nonprofit organization established by Society of Outdoor Recreation the adventure travel company G Adventures. It invests Professionals in social enterprise, healthcare, conservation, and emergency response projects. Their projects aim to meet The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals aims to needs of travelers, including relating to meals and food, promote and support outdoor recreation professionals in tours and experiences, handicrafts, accommodation, and research, planning, management, and policy development transportation. in the United States. They have a website and resources on outdoor recreation, and offer webinars to members and non-members. PUP Global Heritage Consortium PUP supports communities in the protection and Tourism Action Coalition for a management of natural and cultural heritage through an action learning network and evolving integral approaches Sustainable Ocean (TACSO) and tools. Their work is applied in four main areas: public The Coalition is born as a response to the High Level Panel use planning, heritage interpretation, research and self- for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Transformations,  and reflection, and toolmaking. brings together businesses, financial sector, NGOs, and IGOs, leading the way towards a sustainable tourism ocean economy. TACSO hosts the Blue Tourism Resource Portal, Rainforest Alliance including numerous NBT materials. The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests. They work with farmers and forest communities TOFTigers to improve livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and adapt to TOFTigers aims to advance the welfare of wild animals climate change. Tourism activities include certification, threatened with extinction through the loss or degradation training courses, guidelines for marine-based tours, and of their wild habitats, and to promote the protection, certification for ecotourism. expansion, and improvement of those habitats. Their 95 Networks and Institutions Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism website hosts a number of practical resources for Wildlife Friendly Enterprise accommodation providers, destination management companies, and travel companies including publications Network (WFEN) and presentations. Their tools include an online action WFEN helps to conserve threatened wildlife and plan for sustainability of NBT. The organization has contribute to the economic vitality of rural communities. commissioned research on the value of wildlife tourism They have established a series of standards that form the around tiger reserves in order to inform policy and basis for certification programs focused on NBT, including research. Certified Gorilla FriendlyTM Tourism and Certified Sea Turtle FriendlyTM Tourism. Travelers can also make a The Travel Foundation Gorilla Friendly Pledge to play a role in the protection of their health and behavior. They also produce resources This nonprofit organization aims to work in partnership on green marketing trends and conservation marketing. with businesses and governments to generate greater benefits for people and the environment. Their resources hub includes information on wildlife and the environment, Wildlife Tourism Australia including whale shark guide training. Wildlife Tourism Australia is a nonprofit association representing tourist operations, educators, researchers, Wildlife Conservation Unit businesses, and societies that support sustainable wildlife tourism in Australia.  Its website provides information on (WildCru) tours and accommodation, news and events, issues, and WildCru forms part of the University of Oxford and is a resources. university-based conservation research unit. The unit has conducted research on wildlife tourism, in particular World Animal Protection relating to the lack of ability of visitors to accurately judge the animal welfare abuses of wildlife attractions. This nonprofit organization lobbies for animal welfare, including in NBT. Wildlife Conservation Society World Cetacean Alliance The Wildlife Conservation Society is a nonprofit organization that aims to conserve the world’s largest wild The Alliance shares Global best practices for responsible places in 16 priority regions across the world that house whale and dolphin watching, and has certification more than 50 percent of the world’s biodiversity. WCS has programs for Whale Heritage Sites and whale watching. worked in 245 protected areas and has a Conservation Enterprise Development Program. For example, it has a co-management agreement with the government of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mozambique for Niassa National Reserve, which manages The WWF Network focuses on six key goals related to and coordinates tourism concession contracts and the climate and energy, food, forests, freshwater, oceans, development and promotion of tourism. and wildlife. WWF has invested $11.5 billion in more than 13,000 conservation projects.  96 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 8 Conclusion 97 Conclusion Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism T his review demonstrates that there are hundreds visitor management planning approaches are available of informational resources and institutions that can (see section 4.6), there is a lack of agreement among support governments, practitioners, the private practitioners over the most appropriate approaches sector, and communities to develop sustainable NBT and to use (e.g., limits of acceptable change vs. carrying to bolster the recovery and resilience of NBT following the capacity). There is an urgent need from many natural COVID-19 pandemic. destination managers to identify and be able to apply practical tools and approaches that provide solutions One of the consultees remarked that, “More than the to overtourism (sometimes driven by social media) (see availability of resources and tools, it is the awareness and section 4.2) and also as a result of the surge in interest use of existing tools by project managers and specialists in NBT following the COVID-19 pandemic (see section 5). where greater effort is needed. Greater understanding In this regard, the measurement of the impacts of NBT of the critical nature of the conservation dimension of (section 4.8) and the monitoring of the same (section nature-based tourism is needed, and guidance on how to 4.10) are essential to assess the risks of overtourism and integrate this with project design.” This point is reinforced to inform research-based decisions on further growth or by numerous requests from other consultees for resources adaptation of NBT in PAs. Specifically, these tools need to that already exist. be designed so they can be applied reliably and quickly, and in line with best practices. There is an opportunity for 8.1 Gaps in resources and the World Bank to support the application and training in the use of applied and practical tools, such as the Visitor priorities Use Management Framework (see section 4.6). Ideally, this would be undertaken in conjunction with destination An extensive list of outstanding gaps in resources was managers (e.g., PA authorities, destination marketing identified during the compilation of this report and organizations), technical experts, major online travel from the consultation process (see Table 9). Using the agencies, and social media platforms. Such activities two metrics: (a) strategic and game-changing, and (b) would be integrated into the World Bank’s design and directly corresponding to the needs of practitioners, supervision of projects incorporating NBT globally (see the top four priorities for intervention were identified section 3.1). as follows: Climate change and NBT Overtourism and undertourism Few technical resources and guidance materials on climate Many PA managers are grappling with the task of change mitigation and adaptation for the tourism sector offering tourism to their constituencies, while ensuring are specific to NBT. Many of these tools and resources for that the conservation objectives are prioritized. While this topic relate to making all tourism more sustainable, some are trying to establish tourism in new or emerging particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas destinations, others need to adapt to rapid growth in emissions. For NBT destinations, the issues are particularly visitation, and the environmental and social pressures important given the implications for global climate change that this induces. There are numerous resources on NBT, for habitats, wildlife, and tourist behavior. While Climate what it is and how it should be developed, accompanied action through regeneration: Unlocking the power of by destination-wide best practices (see section 4.1). communities and nature through tourism (2022) is a step However, there is a need to go one step back and guide PA in this direction, there is an urgent need for practical tools managers on how to assess whether NBT is a viable option that allow natural destination managers, NBT operators, in terms of demand analysis. In addition, while a series of and travelers to understand, avoid, and mitigate climate 98 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism change impacts. In particular, advice is needed on how Cross-cutting issues of gender and NBT practitioners can integrate mitigation and adaptation approaches into the project design and implementation digital technology process (e.g., integrated carbon offsetting tools, climate- While these have been addressed for tourism in general, proofing NBT investment approaches, green-building they require further research within NBT. The global tourism practices, and low-carbon travel strategies) and retrofitting workforce has a high proportion of female employees, existing facilities and infrastructure. demonstrating its ability to generate revenue for women in poor communities; however, gender inequality Hunting persists and has been exacerbated by COVID-19 in some destinations.92 Digital and technological innovations offer Although contentious, there is a need to address challenges opportunities for tourism enterprises to expand market associated with sport and trophy-hunting tourism (see access, such as through online booking platforms and section 4.1). Global standards need to be established for virtual safaris. Their application and efficacy in rural, natural sustainable hunting, coupled with evidence of its impacts areas needs to be further studied, particularly in light of on conservation and livelihoods. Furthermore, information the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of virtual safaris for is needed for the public and media to clarify the differences people whose movement is often restricted (e.g., elderly between illegal poaching of wildlife and legal hunting, and people, school children). to present evidence to support decision makers. Table 9: List of key gaps in resources cutting across the priority areas of intervention Category Gap Best practices and toolkits • Consolidation of industry-wide, globally endorsed wildlife viewing guidelines to reduce confusion over the large number available • Translation of existing resources and toolkits into other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, and Spanish • Specific tools on NBT and gender • Global standards for sustainable hunting Enabling policy and planning • Guidelines on how to assess whether NBT is a viable option for PAs (demand assessments) environment • Tools to help destination managers balance conservation management approaches with technologies and social media that are driving changes in visitation with increasing speed and complexity • Examples of policies, laws, and regulations that can be used by PAs to benefit financially and sustainably from tourism, with associated case studies. These can be particularly useful if there are legal limitations for public entities regarding receiving funds • Guidance linking NBT to broader issues of environmental security, peace building, and creating resilience to climate change • Models for effective inter-organizational collaboration among/between park/PA agencies and national/state/local tourism offices and destination organizations. These would include guidance on institutional framework and coordination to reduce fragmentation of efforts and conflicting approaches, including contestation of authority 99 Conclusion Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Category Gap Concessioning and institutional • Step-by-step toolkits on tourism concessions, with template agreements between frameworks community and private sector available online (i.e., operating agreements, management agreements, shareholding agreements) • Minimum policy and NBT product design requirements for non-state land to capture revenues from NBT, including for private and community-owned land • Situational analysis and database development of tourism concessions in PAs, and assessment of their relative contribution to protected area budgets and local job creation Destination management` • Support for PA managers that lack resources to produce up-to-date tourism management plans, or the financial and human resources to implement them Infrastructure and facilities • Tools that help to identify and address the “maintenance gap” where there is a lack of investment, to support authorities unable to keep up with depreciating assets and the associated risks to sites and visitors • Guidance on climate-resilient and low-emission NBT infrastructure design and build Visitor management • Awareness-raising materials for tourists, tour operators, and tourism promoters (e.g., online booking platforms) to have a better understanding of which forms of NBT truly support conservation • Case study evidence that experiences gained from NBT can change attitudes and behaviors (e.g., single-use plastic, forest clearing, climate change, etc.) • Tools that help destinations and enterprises reach NBT markets without compromising them thorough overtourism and negative impacts • Tools that can be used to reduce conflict between tourists and local residents • Training tools and application for practical visitor management approaches such as the Visitor Use Management Framework Nature-based tourism enterprise • Examples of funding sources and incentives for rural communities, small businesses, development and emerging entrepreneurs to meaningfully engage in NBT (e.g., access to finance, incentives) • Concise guidance briefs linked to focused resources for the private sector on establishing and operating sustainable NBT • Tools for financial institutions on concessional finance that support conservation and livelihood development Impacts of nature-based tourism • Information on the environmental management of NBT (e.g., energy and water use, waste management), as opposed to tourism in general • Economic valuation tools for determining financial cost to NBT due to environmental degradation (e.g., marine plastic pollution, climate change, illegal hunting) • Establishing how much adequate conservation in the presence of tourism would cost Risk management • Tools that identify NBT’s vulnerabilities of natural hazard risks (i.e., flood, drought, etc.) • A unified risk management system to improve the legal security of NBT, including negotiation with insurance companies, public administration, and financing systems • Simple tools for calculating carbon dioxide emissions of NBT activities to communicate it to tourists and visitors to reduce and offset their impacts Monitoring and evaluation • Implementation of tourism impact monitoring and mitigation plans to avoid overtourism • Open-source monitoring tools for public programs and PAs that can be used to track impacts and that incorporate the GSTC criteria and which can be applied by practitioners and through citizen science initiatives • Resources to cover the costs of monitoring and evaluation • Datasets or analyses that link environmental conditions to tourism outcomes 100 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Category Gap COVID-19 Pandemic • Guidance on establishing and operating virtual safaris and other virtual NBT experiences for use when travel restrictions are in place and to help people with restricted travel options to participate (e.g., children, the elderly) • Tools to support diversification of NBT products, promotion, and source markets towards local and regional visitors to improve resilience to future shocks Training & awareness-raising • Information for the public on the differences between illegal poaching of wildlife and materials legal hunting • Training for PA agencies and tourism promotion agencies on NBT planning, particularly on cloud-based spatial planning, prioritization, and management tools • Training on sustainable tourism for NBT guides and operators, including on maximizing the positive environmental and socioeconomic benefits • E-learning tools for training and professional developing for tourism, and practical applications for use in remote rural areas (e.g., linked to systems like Lobster Ink) Networks and institutions • Networks in North African and Arab countries on NBT. 8.2 Providing a Home for database aims to make it easier for practitioners to use a search function and be able to filter out only those Resources resources that are applicable to their project or site. The database will be updated as a home for NBT resources This analysis highlights the challenge in the dissemination and tools. The database is complementary to TACSO’s and awareness raising of materials that are already in the searchable e-library, the Blue Tourism Resource Portal. public domain. The report’s parallel interactive resource 101 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 9 Endnotes 102 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Section 2 1 The GWP works across over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to support actions on the ground to combat illegal wildlife trade and promote wildlife-based economies. 2 Héctor Ceballos-Lascuráin, Tourism, ecotourism and protected areas: The state of nature-based tourism around the world and guidelines for its development (IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1996). 3  Xavier Font, Janet Cochrane, and Richard Tapper, ”Pay per view: understanding tourism revenues for effective management plans” (Leeds, United Kingdom: Leeds Metropolitan University, report for the WWF, 2004). 4  Yu-Fai Leung, Anna Spenceley, Glen Hvenegaard and Ralf Buckley , ”Tourism and visitor management in protected areas: Guidelines for sustainability”, Best Practice Protected Area Guideline Series No. 27 (IUCN, Geneva, 2018), https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/47918. 5  Global Ecotourism Network (2016) Definition and key concepts: Our definition: https://www. globalecotourismnetwork.org/definition-and-key-concepts/. 6  Dilys Roe, Nigel Leader-Williams, and Barry Dalal-Clayton, “Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints: The Environmental Impacts of Wildlife Tourism”, IIED Wildlife and Environment Development Series No. 10 (IIED, 1997). 7 “Wildlife Tourism”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_tourism. 8  “Geotourism”, National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/geotourism/. 9  "Adventure Travel". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cited in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_travel 10 Louise D. Twining-Ward et al., “Supporting sustainable livelihoods through wildlife tourism (English)”, Tourism for Development Knowledge Series (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2018), http://documents.worldbank.org/ curated/en/494211519848647950/Supporting-sustainable-livelihoods-through-wildlife-tourism. Section 3 11 Making Tourism More Sustainable, A Guide for Policy Makers (Madrid, Spain: UNEP and UNWTO, 2005). 12 Using Google, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and social media. 13 The website of the World Travel & Tourism Council, https://www.wttc.org, accessed June 15, 2019. 14 Leung, ”Tourism and visitor management”; Hannah Nielsen and Anna Spenceley, “The Success of Tourism in Rwanda: Gorillas and More”, in: Punam Chuhan-Pole and Manka Angwafo (eds.) “Yes Africa Can: Success Stories from a Dynamic Continent”, (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2011), 231-249. 15 “Ramping up Nature-based Tourism to protect Biodiversity and Boost Livelihoods”, (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2017), https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/05/22/ramping-up-nature-based-tourism-to- protect-biodiversity-and-boost-livelihoods. 16 “Ramping up Nature-based Tourism to protect Biodiversity and Boost Livelihoods”, (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2017), https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/05/22/ramping-up-nature-based-tourism-to- protect-biodiversity-and-boost-livelihoods. 17 André Rodriguez de Aquino and Carmen Lahoz Rallo, “Sharing Paradise: Nature-Based Tourism in Mozambique.” World Bank Blogs, December 11, 2017, https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/sharing-paradise-nature-based- tourism-in-mozambique. 18 “Harnessing the Potential of Nature-Based Tourism for Poverty Reduction”, (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2015), https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/137751449520243805/ENR-2015-Nature-Based-Tourism.pdf. 19 “Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030, Highlights” (UNWTO, 2017). 20 “Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030, Highlights” (UNWTO, 2017). 21 “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets” (CBD, 2010), https://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic- plan/2011-2020/Aichi-Targets-EN.pdf, accessed 15 February 2017; Leung, ”Tourism and visitor management”. Section 4 22 Leung, et al ”Tourism and visitor management”. 23 Louise D. Twining-Ward et al., “Supporting sustainable livelihoods through wildlife tourism (English)”, Tourism for 103 Endnotes Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism Development knowledge series (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2018). 24 Anna Spenceley and Edward W. (Ted) Manning, “Ecotourism: planning for rural development in developing nations”, In: Roy Ballantyne and Jan Packer (eds) The International Handbook on Ecotourism (Edward Elgar Pub, 2013). 25 “Baseline Report on the Integration of Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns into Tourism Policies” table 1.2, 22 (Madrid: UNWTO, 2019). 26 Anna Spenceley and Edward W. (Ted) Manning, “Ecotourism: planning for rural development in developing nations”, In: Roy Ballantyne and Jan Packer (eds) The International Handbook on Ecotourism (Edward Elgar Pub, 2013), chapter 23. 27 Julianna Priskin “Assessment of natural resources for nature-based tourism: The case of the Central Coast Region of Western Australia”, Tourism Management (2001), 22 (6), 637-648. 28 Anna Spenceley, Susan Snyman, and Paul Eagles, "Guidelines for tourism partnerships and concessions for protected areas: Generating sustainable revenues for conservation and development" (Report to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and IUCN, 2017). 29 Spenceley, Snyman, and Eagles, "Guidelines for tourism partnerships”. 30 This used to be available on http://www.s-an-d.co.za/test/Anchor/index.asp, www.tourisminvest.org but is now offline. 31 This tool was developed by Delano Caras, and has been modified by World Bank Consultant Peter John Massyn and others for application in destination including South Africa (Madikwe and iSimangaliso) and in Rwanda (Nyungwe). 32 Megan Epler Wood, “Best practice for tourism concessions in protected areas: Case studies from Latin America” (DAI Project 1000282, 2010). 33 The website of Global Sustainable Tourism Council, https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/glossary/. 34 Font, “Pay per view”. 35 Megan Epler Wood, Mark Milstein, and Kathleen Ahamed-Broadhurst, “Destinations at Risk: The Invisible Burden of Tourism” (Travel Foundation, Cornell University’s Centre for Sustainable Global Enterprise and EplerWood International, 2019). 36 Leung, et al ”Tourism and visitor management”. 37 “National Park Service Active Transportation Guidebook”, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/transportation/upload/ UPDATED_NPS_Guidebook_July2018_Final_UpdateSept2018-WEB_lowres-2.pdf. 38 Leung, et al “Tourism and visitor management”. 39 Anna Spenceley et al., “Visitor management”. In: Graeme L. Worboys et al. (eds) Protected Area Governance and Management (ANU Press, Canberra, 2015). 40 Ann Koontz, “The Conservation Marketing Equation: A manual for conservation and development professionals” (EnterpriseWorks/VITA, USAID, 2008). 41 In Spenceley, A. (2022) Policy analysis of development financing options for support NBT and linked local livelihoods in target countries and Sub-saharan Africa, Report to Prospect/COWI and adapted from Wright, M. (2021) Funding proposals for new tourism ventures, in Spenceley, A. (2021) Handbook for sustainable tourism practitioners: The essential toolbox, Edward Elgar, pp 110-129., including material from Cohen, J. and Scott, G. (2020) Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. Accessed March 2, 2020 at https://www.investopedia.com/ terms/e/environmental-social-and-governance-esg -criteria.asp; and from World Bank (2014) Getting financed: 9 tips for community joint-ventures in tourism, Available at: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/ handle/10986/21698/959240WP00PUBL050NamibiaonlineFINAL.pdf?sequence=1. 42 Gofundme (2020) Help protect Chumbe Reef. Available at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-protect-chumbe-reef (Accessed: September 28, 2020) 43 Crowdfunder (2020) Coming together for Mara Naboisho COVID-19 appeal. Available at: https://www.crowdfunder. co.uk/coming-together-for-mara-naboisho (Accessed: September 28, 2020). 44 JustGiving (2020a) We’re raising £5,000 to Ride4ranges and Mahenye Charitable Trust. 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The gap between P2P lenders’ preferences and the platform’s intentions, Electron. Commer. Res. 1-30, doi: 10.1007/s10660-021-09489-6. 57 Minney, T. (2010) Wilderness Safaris public offer aims for BSE and JSE Africa Board, African Capital Markets News, Available at: https://africancapitalmarketsnews.com/wilderness-safaris-public-offer-aims-for-bse-and-jse-africa- board/; and Payne, A. (2010) Wilderness Safaris IPO to hoist Botswana’s image, Sunday Standard, 7 March 2010, Available at: https://www.sundaystandard.info/wilderness-safaris-ipo-to-hoist-botswanaocos-image/; Exchange rate WWP to USD average in 2020 0.146725 from https://exchangerates.org/bwp/usd/in-2010. 58 Crunchbase (2022) Wilderness Holdings, Available at: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/wilderness-holdings. 59 Industrial Development Corporation (2020) How we fund businesses in the tourism & services industry, Available at: https://www.idc.co.za/tourism-services/. 60 Spenceley, A. (2021) Tourism and visitation to protected areas amid COVID-19, European Union, Available at https:// op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/fe764777-c990-11eb-84ce-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format- PDF/source-214862990. 61 Olingo, A. (2020) ‘Coronavirus: Kenya sets aside Sh500 m to save tourism’. Nation. 18 March 2020. Available at: https:// nation.africa/kenya/news/coronavirus-kenya-sets-aside-sh500m-to-save-tourism-259038 (Accessed: 6 October 2020). 62 European Commission (2022) NDICI-Global Europe. The new instrument for the EU’s international cooperation policy. INTPA/D3, Coordination and oversight of Financing Instruments, Brussels, 9 February 2022, European Union 2020. 63 Philipps, J. and Falkner, J, (2011) Tourism investment and finance: Accessing sustainable funding and social impact capital, online toolkit and resource series: Sustainable tourism: International cooperation for development; Solimar International, USAID, George Washington University, Available at: https://www.solimarinternational.com/toolkit/ tourism-investment-and-finance-accessing-sustainable-funding-and-social-impact-capital/. 64 ThirdWay Africa (2021) The Africa Conservation & Communities Tourism Fund, Investment Deck, cited in Spenceley, A. (2021) Blended finance options for nature-based tourism in Africa; Briefing document, Report to the European Commission, March 2022. 65 Conservation International Ventures LLC (undated) Conservation International Ventures LLC: An impact-first investment fund for conservation businesses, Factsheet. 66 Prieto, M. (2021) who is investing in travel startups? Travel Tech essentialist, Available at: https://medium.com/ traveltechmedia/who-is-investing-in-travel-startups-8b1d7c735edb. 105 Endnotes Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 67 e.g., Natasha Daly, “The hidden cost of wildlife tourism.” National Geographic, June 2019 issue, https://www.nationalgeographic. com/magazine/2019/06/global-wildlife-tourism-social-media-causes-animal-suffering/ and “Animals in tourism”, Tourism Concern 2017, https://www.travindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Animals-in-Tourism-lWeb-FINAL-1.pdf. 68 e.g., Tom P. Moorhouse et al., “The customer isn’t always right—conservation and animal welfare implications of the increasing demand for wildlife tourism”. PloS One, 2015, 10(10), e0138939; Tom P. Moorhouse, Neil C. D’Cruze, and David W. Macdonald, “Unethical use of wildlife in tourism: what’s the problem, who is responsible, and what can be done?”, Journal of Sustainable Tourism 2017, 25(4), 505-516; Jessica Bell Rizzolo and Gay A. Bradshaw, “Human leisure/ elephant breakdown: Impacts of tourism on Asian elephants”, In: Neil Carr and Janette Young (eds.) Wild Animals and Leisure (Routledge, 2018), 129-147. 69 Adapted from Leung et al, ”Tourism and visitor management”. 70 Adapted from Leung et al, ”Tourism and visitor management”. 71 Adapted from Anna Spenceley, Andrew Rylance, and Sadiki Laiser, ”Protected area entrance fees in Tanzania: The search for competitiveness and value for money” (Koedoe, Aosis Publishing, 2017), 59(1), a1442, https://doi. org/10.4102/koedoe. v59i1.1442. 72 The website of the National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm 73 Jonathan Mitchell, Jodie Keane, and Jenny Laidlaw, “Making success work for the poor: Package tourism in Northern Tanzania” (ODI and SNV, 2009), https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/4203.pdf. 74 “Maximising the value of birds and wildlife for tourism: A guide for tourism businesses in the Rift Valley/Red Sea Flyway” (Responsible Hospitality Partnership for Birdlife International, 2015); Duan Biggs et al., “The value of avitourism for conservation and job creation – an analysis from South Africa” Conservation and Society, 2011, 9 (1), 80-90. 75 Adapted from Leung et al, ”Tourism and visitor management”. 76 Anna Spenceley, “Impacts of wildlife tourism on rural livelihoods in southern Africa”, In: Anna Spenceley (ed) Responsible Tourism: Critical issues for conservation and development (Earthscan: London & Sterling VA, 2008), 159-186. 77 Spenceley, “Impacts of wildlife tourism”, 285-30. 78 Anna Spenceley et al., “An introduction to tourism concessioning: 14 Characteristics of successful programs” (World Bank Group, 2016). 79 UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) (2011). Fostering Innovation to Fight Climate Change – Public Report. Madrid: UNWTO. 80 Andy Drumm, Stephen McCool Stephen, and James Rieger, “The threshold of sustainability for tourism within protected areas”, The Nature Conservancy, 2011. 81 Leung et al, ”Tourism and visitor management”, Box 5.1. 82 Currently in development. Due for publication in 2020. 83 The website of BIOPAMA, https://rris.biopama.org/visitor-reporting. 84 Martha Honey and Abigail Rome, “Protecting paradise: Certification programs for sustainable tourism and ecotourism” (Washington, DC: Institute for Policy Studies, 2011, October); Rachel Dodds and Marion Joppe, “CSR in the tourism industry? The status of and potential for certification, codes of conduct and guidelines”, Study prepared for the CSR Practice Foreign Investment Advisory Service Investment Climate Department, 2005. 85 Leung et al, ”Tourism and visitor management”. Section 6 86 World Health Organization (2020) ‘WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – March, 11, 2020. Available at: (Accessed: February 17, 2021). 87 Spenceley, A. (2021) The future of nature-based tourism: Impacts of COVID-19 and paths to sustainability, Luc Hoffmann Institute. 88 Spenceley, A. (2021a) ‘COVID-19 and protected area tourism: A spotlight on impacts and options in Africa.’ European Commission 89 World Bank (2021) Banking on protected areas: Promoting sustainable protected area tourism to benefit local economies, https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/35737. 106 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 90 This list does not include private sector businesses or donor organizations. 91 The website of Tourism 2030 Destinet Services, https://destinet.eu/who-who/civil-society-ngos/ecotrans/itb2019. 92 Global Report on Women in Tourism – Second Edition (Madrid, Spain: UNWTO, 2019). 93 National Statistics Bureau and UNDP Bhutan (2020) Rapid socio-economic impact assessment of COVID-19 on Bhutan’s tourism sector, Available at: https://www.undp.org/bhutan/publications/rapid-socio-economic-impact- assessment-covid-19-bhutans-tourism-sector. 107 Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism 108 SUPPORTED BY LED BY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 109