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While we often hear about the negative effects tourism can have on the environment, there are actually many ways that travel and tourism can benefit our natural world. When managed properly, tourism can help protect landscapes, wildlife and ecosystems that might otherwise be lost.
Key Definitions:
Tourism can provide a powerful economic reason to protect natural environments. When tourists pay to visit beautiful beaches, forests, or wildlife reserves, this creates value for these places beyond just using them for farming, logging, or mining. The money from tourism can fund conservation efforts that might not happen otherwise.
When local communities can make a living from tourism, they have a direct interest in protecting their natural surroundings. This creates a "win-win" situation where both people and nature benefit. For example, a forest worth £100,000 if cut down for timber might generate millions in tourism revenue over many years if preserved.
One of the most significant positive impacts of tourism is the protection of wildlife and their natural habitats. Tourism revenue often provides the funding needed for conservation projects that might otherwise struggle to find support.
Around the world, there are excellent examples of how tourism has helped save endangered species and protect their habitats:
In Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla tourism has helped increase the mountain gorilla population from just 254 in 1981 to over 1,000 today. Tourists pay up to £1,000 for a permit to view gorillas, creating a strong economic incentive to protect them from poachers.
Tiger reserves in India generate significant tourism revenue, helping fund anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection. Ranthambore National Park receives thousands of visitors annually, all hoping to spot the magnificent Bengal tiger.
In many coastal areas, turtle-watching tourism has transformed communities from hunting turtles to protecting them. On beaches in Costa Rica and Malaysia, local guides now earn more from showing tourists nesting turtles than they ever did from collecting eggs.
The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are a prime example of how tourism can fund conservation. The islands receive about 275,000 visitors annually, each paying a $100 park entry fee. This money directly funds conservation efforts, scientific research and invasive species control. Strict visitor management includes limiting group sizes, keeping to designated trails and maintaining distance from wildlife. The result is a protected ecosystem where unique species continue to thrive despite global tourism interest.
Tourism creates opportunities for environmental education that can change how people think about nature. When tourists experience amazing natural places, they often become advocates for protecting them.
Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat or experiencing pristine environments firsthand creates powerful memories and emotional connections. These experiences often inspire tourists to make more environmentally friendly choices in their everyday lives and support conservation causes.
Tourists who have positive nature experiences often share their stories with friends and family, post on social media and become advocates for environmental protection. This ripple effect helps spread awareness far beyond those who actually visit a destination.
Tourism can provide the motivation and funding to restore damaged environments and regenerate natural areas that have been degraded.
Many tourism businesses and destinations have invested in restoring natural environments to attract visitors:
Costa Rica has become a world leader in ecotourism, with over 25% of its land protected in national parks and reserves. Tourism now accounts for about 8% of GDP, creating strong economic incentives to maintain forests rather than cut them down. The country has reversed its deforestation trend, increasing forest cover from a low of 21% in the 1980s to over 50% today. Visitors pay entrance fees to parks, stay in eco-lodges and participate in activities like wildlife watching and canopy tours. This model has been so successful that many other countries are now trying to copy it.
Tourism businesses are increasingly adopting sustainable practices that reduce their environmental impact and set positive examples for other industries.
Many hotels and resorts are installing solar panels, using energy-efficient lighting and implementing smart energy management systems. The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers hotel, for example, uses Denmark's first groundwater cooling system, reducing energy consumption by 90% compared to traditional air conditioning.
Tourism businesses in water-scarce regions are leading the way in water conservation, with measures like low-flow showers, rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling for garden irrigation.
Many tourism operations are working to reduce waste through composting, recycling and eliminating single-use plastics. Some safari lodges in Africa now compost all food waste and use it to grow vegetables for their restaurants.
For tourism to have a positive environmental impact, it needs to be carefully managed. This means finding the right balance between visitor numbers and environmental protection.
Successful destinations use various strategies to minimize negative impacts while maximizing benefits:
Botswana has pioneered a "high-value, low-volume" approach to tourism in the Okavango Delta. Rather than maximizing visitor numbers, they limit tourism development and charge premium prices. Luxury safari lodges may charge £1,000 or more per night, but employ more staff per guest and contribute more to conservation than budget operations would. This approach has helped Botswana maintain healthy wildlife populations while generating significant economic benefits. The country's elephant population has remained stable at around 130,000 (the world's largest), while declining in many other African countries.
As awareness of environmental issues grows, the potential for tourism to have a positive impact is increasing. More tourists are seeking out sustainable options and more businesses are recognizing that protecting the environment is essential for their long-term success.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given many destinations a chance to rethink their approach to tourism and build back in a more sustainable way. By learning from successful examples around the world, we can ensure that tourism becomes a powerful force for environmental protection rather than degradation.
Remember that as tourists, we all have a role to play in ensuring that our travels have a positive impact on the places we visit. By choosing sustainable options, respecting local guidelines and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure that beautiful natural places remain for future generations to enjoy.