CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES - SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND MIGRATORY SPECIES

COP14) on Recreational In-water Interaction with Aquatic Mammals, Further welcoming the report and analysis of case studies provided in the Convention on Migratory Species’ publication Wildlife watching and tourism: A study on the benefits and risks of a fast-growing tourism activity and its impacts on species, as well as the report and analysis of case studies provided in the joint Ramsar-UNWTO p. [...] COP14) ECOTOURISM AND MIGRATORY SPECIES: GUIDANCE FOR PARTIES AND STAKEHOLDERS Human-wildlife interactions To maximize the opportunities for ecotourism to achieve sustainability, a positive contribution to nature conservation, support for indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and local livelihoods, and education for participants, Parties should balance trade-offs between visitor satisfa. [...] Tourism trajectories and market segments The ecotourism offered in an area should be subject to appropriate levels of regulation based on the sensitivities of species involved, the different types of ecotourism being offered, and the numbers of tourists visiting. [...] In relation to the development of new ecotourism destinations and activities, providers should focus on maintaining standards of species protection and identify areas that can be developed while maintaining the standards required and attracting a viable segment of the market. [...] As a result, and especially for target species that are vulnerable to disturbance, or are ‘common- pool’, Parties should consider using labelling and certification to control the number of commercial operators active in an area, and to identify operators committed to excellence.