Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

in a Blue World

Linking Tourism & Conservation at UNEP/ GRID-Arendal

and better jobs, consolidate higher investment returns, benefit local development and contribute to poverty reduction, while raising awareness and support for the sustainable use of natural resources. Evidence shows that demand for traditional mass tourism has reached a mature stage whereas the demand for more responsible forms of tourism is booming. Tourism market tendencies indicate that main drivers towards investment in sustainable tourism relate to consumer demand changes, actions to reduce operations costs and increase competitiveness, coherent policy and regulations, technology improvements, and stronger efforts for environmental and social responsibility andnatural resource conservation. These are leading the transformation of the industry and determine the future returns on investments. Targeted research is needed to better understand the value of intact ecosystems to tourism. Further, models specific for coastal The Linking Tourism & Conservation (LT&C) initiative was first developed at UNEP/GRID-Arendal in 2007. The aim of this initiative is to highlight examples of international best practice in tourism that supports the development and management of marine and terrestrial protected areas. Success factors of functioning cases have been identified and the initiative is now focused on increasing the worldwide understanding of LT&C models, their functioning and potential for replication. The initiative is supporting the strategic goals and specific targets of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (SCBD, 2007) The tourism industry is the largest sector supporting protected areas financially (UNEP, 2009a), and the worlds biggest service industry. Both foreign and domestic tourists make use of protected areas and these experiences can make tourists engage in conservation. Sustainable tourism has major potential to raise investments for conservation.

and marine tourism on the necessary funds, as well as economic and social opportunities would support strategic decision-making and investment by both the private and public sector. In a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario up to 2050, overall tourism growth will imply increases in energy consumption (111 per cent), greenhouse gas emissions (105 per cent), water consumption (150 per cent), and solid waste disposal (252 per cent) (UNEP, 2011). In comparison, the green investment scenario is expected to undercut the corresponding BAU scenario by 18 per cent for water consumption, 44 per cent for energy supply and demand, and 52 per cent for CO 2 emissions (UNEP, 2011). This will result in potential avoided costs that can be reinvested in socially and environmentally responsible local activities—such as local transportation and staff capabilities and skills— increasing the indirect and induced effects of tourism expenditure on local development. and (SCBD, 2011). LT&C is a recognized project of the GPST and will continue to work in cooperation with partners within the network. The initiative can create incentives for positive change to benefit protected areas by: • Proactively considering the role of tourism in the development of (new) protected areas so scarce funds for effective management can be increased through financial flow from tourism. • Encouraging tourism businesses to include nature conservation in their management plans. • Increasing awareness among visitors to protected areas that can lead to direct financial contributions and support for relevant organizations and policies. Source: Linking Tourism & Conservation, UNEP/ GRID-Arendal, 2011c

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