Tangible ways forward
To be sustainable, tourism needs to respect ecosystems by finding the balance between environmental protection and touristic use. Sustainable tourism integrates ecosystem and biodiversity values. It is based on a “sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands” and focuses on “a significant reduction of the degradation of natural habitats, the halt of biodiversity loss and the prevention of the extinction of threatened species” in line with targets 15.1 and 15.5. There is a need to regulate visitor flows and guide visitors, especially in sensitive habitats. Infrastructure and tourism attractions need to be synchronised with the local requirements and carrying capacities.
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Natural resources are limited. Tourism needs to achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns (>> Goal 12), from procurement to waste management. Without serious and significant reduction in waste, emissions and consumption, tourism will not be sustainable. Tourism destinations need strategies for sustainable development, which are tuned on the region and its natural resources – in line with target 15.9 which demands “integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning and development processes”.
Nature-based tourism contributes to raising the awareness and knowledge of visitors and local people with regard to SDG 15. Guided hikes, exhibitions and other educative activities impart knowledge about regional ecosystems and species. People are more willing to protect what they understand and care for. Tourism also raises the awareness of local people concerning environmental problems and thus increases their commitment for conservation activities. When local people realise the appreciation of local biodiversity and ecosystems by visitors, this may also raise their own awareness for the region´s natural resources and their readiness to protect nature. Thus tourism can support “actions to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products”, as target 15.7 demands.
Nature-based tourism can, through the income it generates, foster the protection of the environment by mobilizing and significantly increasing financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems, in line with target 15.9a. Entrance fees for protected areas, grants of tour operators and taxes can generate a direct financial contribution to the conservation of nature. Furthermore, sustainable tour- ism can be vital for regional value added, by providing jobs for local people and strengthening the local economy. Hence tourism can support a sustainable development process as well as poverty reduction strategies and help achieve target 15.9.
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