Introduction

Connecting Biodiversity and Tourism

Beautiful landscapes, rich fauna and flora, and natural heritage sites are among the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. Tourists are searching for recreation and peace in natural areas, but also for fun activities. They would like to enjoy nice sceneries, watch wildlife, and actively experience nature on hiking, biking or canoe tours. Areas with high biodiversity such as coastal zones (>> Goal 14), mountains and protected areas are especially attractive for guests.

Tourism and biodiversity can be in a symbiotic relationship. Biodiversity is the core of attractive landscapes and creates distinctive regional features, including agricultural products for a diverse, local cuisine. “Sustainable tourism can play a major role, not only in conserving and preserving biodiversity, but also in respecting terrestrial ecosystems, owing to its efforts towards the reduction of waste and consumption, the conversation of native flora and fauna, and its awareness-raising activities”, as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) emphasizes with regard to Goal 15 (UNWTO, 2015). The Convention on Biological Diver- sity (CBD) also stresses the importance of sustainable tourism development for biological diversity. It has issued guidelines for the tourism industry (CBD, 2004), focusing on tourism development in vulnerable areas in order to maximize the positive benefits for biodiversity, ecosystems, and economic and social development.