ramsar logoThe Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wetlands and tourism - special focus

 

Managing tourism in wetlands - some useful resources

Tourism is one of the world's largest and most rapidly growing industries; UNEP estimates that it generates 11% of global GDP and employs 200 million people. Wetlands are key targets for a large number of tourists - just think of the Everglades in the US, or Lake Titicaca in Bolivia/Peru, or the Great barrier Reef in Australia. But it is also true that the effects of uncontrolled tourism in natural sites, such as wetlands, can destroy the very resource base upon which it depends. And while tourism has the potential to bring great benefits to countries and play an important role in poverty reduction, it is too often the case that the economic benefits go to tour operators, leaving local communities, who depend on the natural resource base for their livelihoods, with few if any economic benefits.

The Ramsar Convention and tourism: over many years a number of projects either wholly or partly on the development of tourism/ecotourism have been funded through the Wetlands for the Future Fund and the Ramsar Small Grants Fund. More formally, the Convention has not as yet addressed tourism in wetlands as a management issue. The first step has, however, been taken: at STRP 12 in 2005 it was agreed that considering opportunities for development of sectoral guidance on the tourism/ecotourism sector was an issue/sector that could be a potential focus for attention by STRP.

There is a great deal of interest within the Convention on the development of sustainable tourism in wetlands, and this Web page aims to help by taking a look at some of the many materials available on managing tourism. This page is a work in progress so please do not be surprised if it changes considerably over time.

The materials below includes a section on some of the diverse guidelines that have already been developed that can assist those involved in developing tourism at wetland sites in making informed decisions. There is also a section on other publications that provide useful information and experiences in sustainable tourism development. Here we also hope to showcase tourism projects at Ramsar sites and other wetlands. The last section identifies useful Web sites that are focussed on tourism.

Definitions: tourism, sustainable tourism, nature tourism, ecotourism, and community-based tourism are terms that abound in tourism literature and, in this quickly evolving field, what people mean when they use these terms is not always the same. Here are a few definitions/descriptions that are in circulation:

Sustainable tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability. Thus, Sustainable Tourism should:

1) Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural resources and biodiversity.
2) Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
3) Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

Nature tourism has been simply defined by the German Foundation for International Development as a form of travel to natural areas where the experience and appreciation of nature and natural phenomena is the prime motivation for visiting these places.

Ecotourism has been defined by the International Ecotourism Society as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.

Community-based ecotourism has been defined by WWF as a form of ecotourism where the local community has substantial control over, and involvement in, its development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community.

 

Guidelines and "How To" publications on tourism
Managing Tourism & Biodiversity
This manual from the CBD Secretariat is focussed on the practical application of the CBD guidelines on biodiversity and tourism development (see below) so that the guidelines can be applied worldwide. Published in 2007, it is available for download here
 

Making Tourism More Sustainable: A Guide for Policy Makers
A guide aimed principally at governments but also other stakeholders and published in 2005 by UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics and the World Tourism Organization. Available for download as two PDF files.
   
Guidelines on the development of ecotourism at wetlands (AEWA Conservation Guidelines No. 7)
These guidelines were prepared by Wetlands International, adopted by the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA
in September 2002, and last updated in April 2005. The guidelines are aimed at governments and provide a 10-step process for site selection, development and management of ecotourism based on waterbirds. Available in PDF format here.
 

Managing Tourism at World Heritage Sites: A Practical Manual for World Heritage Site Managers
Published in 2002 by UNESCO's World Heritage Centre and can be downloaded in PDF format here.
   
CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism
Adopted as Decision VII/14, these guidelines are intended for activities related to sustainable tourism development in vulnerable terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity and protected areas, including fragile riparian and mountain ecosystems. Published in 2002; available online here. En espagñol aquí.
 
Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management
These guidelines from the World Commission on Protected Areas build an understanding of protected area tourism and its management. Providing a theoretical structure as well as helping managers in practical ways, the underlying aim is to ensure that tourism contributes to the purposes of protected areas and does not undermine them. Published in 2002; can be downloaded in PDF format here.
 
Linking Communities, Tourism & Conservation: A Tourism Assessment Process
Published by Conservation International and the George Washington University in 2005, this toolkit is designed for field practitioners to perform a rapid assessment and analysis of tourism potential at a particular destination. To obtain a free PDF copy please send an email to ecotour@conservation.org.
 
Herramientas para la gestión del turismo sostenible en Humedales

Estas cinco guías contienen materiales valiosos para los responsables de la gestión de Los humedales, tanto a nivel de las administraciones gubernamentales como en el terreno, que tienden a asegurar que El ecoturismo sea una actividad positiva, tanto desde El punto de vista de la conservación de Las características ecológicas de Los humedales como de Los intereses socioeconómicos de Los interesados directos, en particular Las comunidades locales e indígenas. Solo en español.
 

Ecotourism Development: A Manual for Conservation Planners and Managers
Published by The Nature Conservancy in 2002 in two volumes: Volume 1 An Introduction to Ecotourism Planning and Volume II The Business of Ecotourism Development and Management. In PDF format in English (Vol I and Vol II) and Español. (Vol I and Vol II).
 

The Ecotourism Training Manual for Protected Area Managers
and
Training Manual for Community-based Tourism

Published by the German Foundation for International Development (DSE). Temporarily, the first document can be viewed online here and the second here but both will soon be available for download from InWent (Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung (Capacity Building International, Germany)) here.
   
Guidelines for community-based ecotourism development
Published by WWF in 2001 these guidelines identify some general principles, and highlight some practical considerations for commnnity-based ecotourism. They are not intended as a 'how to' model, but rather as a collection of issues and topics to be considered and addressed. Can be downloaded in PDF format in English here.
   

Ecotourism Impact Monitoring: A Review of Methodologies and Recommendations for Developing Monitoring Programs in Latin America

Monitoreo De Los Impactos Turisticos: Un examen de metodologías y recomendaciones
para el desarrollo de programas de monitoreo en América Latina

Summarises some existing methodologies for measuring visitor impacts on protected areas and provides recommendations for how to establish ecotourism monitoring programmes in Latin America. Available for download as a Word Doc. En espagñol aquí.
   

 

General publications on tourism

Etude préliminaire d’organisation des circuits écotouristiques du Sud du Bénin

Cette publication est le résultat d'une étude préliminaire d'organisation des circuits éco-touristiques du Sud du
Bénin en partenariat avec les autorités locales pour aider les populations locales à valoriser leur patrimoine naturel et créer un guide touristique à l'appui. En format PDF ici.
 

Wetlands, poverty reduction and sustainable tourism development: opportunities and constraints

This 20-page brochure, published in July 2007 by Wetlands International in collaboration with IUCN NL, Cordaid, TUI Nederland, the Ramsar Secrtariat , uses case study material to strengthen the understanding of the the dynamic relations between wetland conservation, poverty reduction and tourism development. Can be downloaded here. .. En espagñol aquí.
 

Estimating the value of ecotourism in the Djoudj National Bird Park in Senegal

This report presents the results of an economic study of the willingness-to-pay of recreational visitors to the Djoudj National Bird Park, in northern Senegal, based on interviews with 647 visitors to the park conducted in early 2003. The study forms part of a broader economic analysis of the costs and benefits of the park. Available for download here in PDF format (7MB). Aussi en français ici.
 
Ecotourism and Sustainability

Volume 24, parts 3-4 (2001) of UNEP-DTIE's Industry and Environment Quarterly Review includes a series of papers on this topic. Can be download in PDF format in two files .
 
Tourism and Protected Areas

In 2002 the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of IUCN produced a special issue of their international journal 'Parks' on Tourism and Protected Areas. It includes an editorial as well as six papers on important aspects of managing park tourism. Can be downloaded in PDF format here .
 
Tourism-Based User Fees

Produced by the Conservation Finance Alliance in 2004, this publication details a number of relatively simple, market-based mechanisms, known collectively as tourism user fees (TUFs), that can gather significant revenues from tourism-based activities, which can then be directed toward supporting PAs and, or, eco-lodges.Can be downloaded in PDF format here.

 
Wildlife Watching and Tourism: A study on the benefits and risks
of a fast growing tourism activity and its impacts on species

A report from the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) exploring the wildlife watching niche of the tourism market. Using case studies, it looks at the benefits and costs of the activity and identifies some main approaches being used to manage wildlife watching of several species. Offers some recommendations on how to make wildlife watching tourism more sustainable. Available for download in PDF format here .

 

Code of Ethics for Tourism

Drawn up by World Tourism Organisation and officially recognised by the UN General Assembly in in 2001, the code includes nine articles outlining the "rules of the game" for destinations, governments, tour operators, developers, travel agents, workers and travellers themselves with a tenth article that covers the redress of grievances. Find them on this page.
 

Pro-Poor Tourism Strategies: Making Tourism Work for the Poor

Published in 2002, this publication reviews practical experience of ‘pro-poor tourism strategies’ in order to identify useful lessons and good practice. It synthesises findings from 6 case studies of pro-poor tourism interventions, in South
Africa, Namibia, Uganda, St Lucia, Ecuador and Nepal. Available for download in PDF format here.
 

National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan - Bulgaria

Bulgaria used the CBD's Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development (see above) to guide the process of developing and planning Bulgaria's National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan. This can be downloaded in PDF format here.
 

Ecotourism Potential and Development Within Lake Nakuru National Park and its Catchment

Jointly funded by Australia's Banrock Station (which donated its Evian Special Prize of $10,000 from the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award in 2002) and the Ramsar Small Grants Fund, and carried out by the KenyaWildlife Service, this study looked at the ecotourism potentials within Lake Nakuru National Park and its catchment to promote environmental conservation and socio-economic development that involves community participation for poverty alleviation. Can be downloaded in PDF format here.

 

Ecotourism Development Plan for Anawilundawa Wildlife Sanctuary and Ramsar Site

Submitted in 2005 to the Ramsar Secretariat by IUCN Sri Lanka, this report was produced as part of a larger project funded by Ramsar's Small Grants Fund. It looks at the ecotourism potential at this Ramsar Site and provides some operational guidelines and benefit sharing arrangements with the local community. Available for download here in PDF format.
 

 

Useful Web Sites
Biodiversity and Tourism Network A web-based platform established to foster dialogue between tourism practitioners devleoped by the CBD in partnership with the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development
Ecotourism at Conservation International A web site that provides details on Conservation International's extensive programme of work on ecotourism.
Ecotourism Bulgaria Bulgaria's web site detailing the development of ecotourism in the country which began with the signing in 2002 of a Protocol for Cooperation for the field of ecotourism by the Ministries of Economy, Environment and Waters, and Agriculture and Forests. Includes a National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan for Bulgaria [7MB PDF].
Europarc Federation An umbrella organisation of Europe's protected areas, uniting national parks, regional parks, nature parks and biosphere reserves in 38 countries, with the common aim of protecting Europe's unique variety of wildlife, habitats and landscapes. Look for information on their European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.
International Centre for Responsible Tourism

The International Centre for Responsible Tourism is a post-graduate training and research centre based at the University of Greenwich, UK. The web site includes information on courses as well as useful resource materials.

Livelihoods Connect A community-owned initiative in South Africa which looks at how much a community-owned lodge development within a protected wildlife area can contribute towards sustainably improving livelihoods of households in communities living on the border of a protected area.
PAN Parks A network of parks in Europe that employs a verification system for all members. The PAN Parks Foundation cooperates with protected area management and sustainable tourism businesses to make it possible for people to support, preserve, and enjoy Europe’s wilderness.
Pro-Poor Tourism A Web Site providing up-to-date information on tourism that results in increased net benefits for poor people. Many materials available that aim to ensure that tourism contributes to poverty reduction and that poor people are able to participate more effectively in product development.
The Responsible Tourism Partnership This partnership works to help businesses and organisations around the world to maximise their potential for responsible tourism through a range of activities and initiatives.
Tourism Cares for Tomorrow Promotes the responsible use of the world's natural, cultural and historic treasures and encourages support for education and research to help secure the positive future of travel and tourism worldwide. Includes scholarships, grants, internships, and awards.
Tour Operators Initiative A voluntary, nonprofit initiative open to all tour operators, regardless of their size and geographical location, that develops management tools to design and conduct tours that minifies their negative environmental, social and economic impacts.
UNEP and Tourism An area of UNEP DTIE's Web site that brings together a wealth of materials on many aspects of sustainable tourism.
WWF International WWF has created some useful material online that targets tourists, providing simple tips for travellers encouraging responsible tourism and a number of links to good ecotourism operators around the world etc.

 

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 23 August, 2006, updated 5 May 2009, Sandra Hails, Ramsar.