Biodiversity and Tourism

Biodiversity means the biological diversity of nature including the genetic diversity as well as the one of species and ecosystems and the interactions between those.

Since the adoption of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) at the Earth Summit 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, the concept of biodiversity has evolved into a political subject, which integrates nature, society - making use of natural resources - and the responsibility of society for the conservation of these resources.

In this sense, the Convention of Biological Diversity establishes three main goals:

• conservation of biological diversity;
• sustainable use of its components;
• fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources (Access and Benefit Sharing, ABS).

Signing the convention, its member states commit themselves to consider and implement its goals.

Tourism uses natural resources

Tourism is based on the attractions, beauties and services of nature and therefore plays an important role for the implementation of the convention. Tourism can contribute to the conservation of biological diversity if it uses natural resources in a way that guarantees the conservation and regeneration of nature and ecosystems. This can be achieved through adequate management practices and through financial support of the tourism business to the efforts of nature conservation.

The CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development

At the 7th conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, special Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development were adopted. These guidelines are voluntary and offer instruments for local, regional and national governments as well as for local stakeholders for the management of tourism activities in an ecological, economic and socially sustainable way.

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