Search Results

World Tourism Day

27 September 2024, Madrid, Spain

World Tourism Day

27 September 2023, Madrid, Spain

Statement by David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, 27 September 2023

Statement by David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, 27 September 2023

International Mountain Day

11 December 2022, Rome, Italy

World Cities Day

31 October 2022, Nairobi, Kenya

World Tourism Day

27 September 2022, Madrid, Spain

Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2022, 27 September 2022

Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2022, 27 September 2022

Rwanda Opens State-Of-The-Art Eco-tourism Park In Kigali City

Nyandungu Eco-tourism is now opened for public and seeks to raise awareness on the conservation of Africa’s wildlife and nature. The facility was inaugurated by Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Ngirente, alongside Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Primer Minister of Ethiopia.

Sun, sea, sustainability—could your next European holiday be a greener one?

With the tourism industry on a high bounce following the lifting of pandemic restrictions, many holiday-goers are looking for ways to travel more responsibly and sustainably. But the annual surge of visitors at resorts and destinations can create environmental headaches for people living in the ...

Traditional communities rally behind ecotourism to conserve their forests

When she was a child, Cruz Ávila used to walk through the forest as part of her daily routine. She would pick wood or medicinal plants. She learned to find birds hidden in the branches and to identify the different trees. She also found that walking among the pines and listening to a waterfall i ...

Parrots of the Caribbean: Birding tourism offers hope for threatened species

Four species of parrots endemic to Caribbean islands in the Lesser Antilles — St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica — are clinging to existence amid a volley of hurricanes and volcanic eruptions that have decimated their populations and habitats.

The Arctic's tricky quest for sustainable tourism

Home to polar bears, the midnight sun and the northern lights, a Norwegian archipelago perched high in the Arctic is trying to find a way to profit from its pristine wilderness without ruining it.

‘It’s a struggle for survival’: why Kenya – and its wildlife – need tourists to return

Covid dealt a blow to tourism and the conservation funds it provides. But as visitors slowly return, the sector is looking for new ways to thrive

Indigenous Experience Ontario lets the province’s staycationers enjoy nature and culture in one trip

Spring is near; COVID-19 might wind down eventually and the government of Ontario is doling out a rebate for vacationing in Ontario.

Is there something to learn from Barbados?

Countries around the world are attempting to restart economic activities as covid19 is becoming more manageable. In the Caribbean, tourism, the region’s main economic driver is on the uptick as many visitors, especially from North America and Europe, are starting to travel.

Podcast: Defending New Guinea’s forests with birds-of-paradise and ecotourism

The third episode in the New Guinea series of Mongabay Explores covers the island’s unique birds-of-paradise, and their symbolism as ambassadors for both the island’s beautiful landscape, and also the culture of the people who live there:

Can ecotourism save Cambodia’s ‘ghost parks’?

In March 2021, Cambodia signed into law Sub-decree No. 30, which removed official protection from some 127,000 hectares of land formerly included in national parks, reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Koh Kong province. Purportedly done to grant land rights to local communities, a 2021 Mongabay ...

How international tourism and travel can be a pathway for introducing invasive species

Tourism is an important economic driver of the world's economy, providing a significant contribution to the income of many countries. However, tourism can also contribute to the introduction and spread of unwanted exotic organisms such as insect pests or weed seeds across countries.

LATA to launch nature and biodiversity tourism push

The Latin American Travel Association is to concentrate 2022 marketing on biodiversity and animal tourism, aiming for a bigger slice of a market dominated by Africa.

The social aspect of biodiversity reduction in Brazil

What most people ignore is that climate change is also a social issue, arising from unawareness of the human population about the impact of their activities. Biodiversity plays a key role in ecosystems and also services benefits to the tourism industry.

Lockdown underscores Uganda’s overreliance on tourism to fund conservation

Tour guide Patrick Kataama relied heavily on income from leading gorilla-trekking tours in Uganda’s national parks. These tours were abruptly shut down in late March 2020, after the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Uganda and the country was placed under lockdown.

Rebuild more sustainable tourism in mountains for people and the planet

The world’s mountains have long attracted visitors for their scenic beauty, sports opportunities and rich cultural heritage. And for many rural mountain communities, tourism is a lifeline. It can increase household incomes, enhance job opportunities and revitalise local traditions.

Preah Sihanouk eyes underwater tourism

Preah Sihanouk province has set its sights on underwater tourism, as a new way to lure in national and international tourists, and open an ocean of rich biodiversity and scuba diving experiences to enthusiasts and beginners alike, according to tourism officials and experts.

What makes Colombia the next ecotourism hotspot

Ecotourism is now seeing an upward trajectory and is poised to be a key growth sector as the country focuses its initiatives on sustainable tourism. The country is taking the lead in advocating responsible tourism as its natural landscape serves as a primary appeal.

Birdwatching needs more investment to propel tourism: expert

“Home to tens of wetlands and lakes, Golestan hosts hundreds of thousands of migratory and native birds per annum. Though the province has considerable potential to be a hectic destination for bird-watchers, achieving this capacity of the neglected tourism industry requires more investment and p ...

Conservation tourism in Africa brought to its knees by Covid-19 travel bans

It’s been over 20 months since the World Health Organization announced Covid-19 as a global health emergency and pandemic. It’s estimated that the resulting reductions in travel in 2020 alone wiped $4.5-trillion from the global tourism economy and cost millions of jobs.

Egypt First in Region to Implement 'Green Fins' Initiative - Tourism Ministry

Egypt is the first state in the region and the 11th worldwide to implement the UN "Green Fins" initiative, adviser to the minister of tourism and antiquities for sustainable tourism Nashwa Talaat said on Sunday 17/10/2021.

World Tourism Day

27 September 2021, New York, United States of America

Conservation after coronavirus: We need to diversify and innovate (commentary)

The loss of the Mukambi River Pride lioness last June was sobering proof that the shock wave of COVID-19 had reached the heart and wildlife of Zambia’s Kafue National Park. All that remained of this once magnificent animal was her skin, pock-marked from spears and large rocks that had been hurle ...

Feature: Seasonal wildflowers tourism in South Africa flourishing despite COVID-19

Andre Van der Nerwe from Johannesburg was strolling with his wife on a hiking trail lying across a stretch of land carpeted with wildflowers in Namaqua National Park's Skilpad section, which was in its annual flower season in late August.

Piranhas and pink dolphins lure visitors to remote Lake Tarapoto

Pink dolphins, piranhas and black caiman. It sounds like the stuff of legend, but in fact they're the inhabitants of a protected wetlands system in the Amazon, home to thousands of rare animal species and fascinating tales of tribal gods turning men into dolphins.

Costa Rica: a “Sanctuary Of Well-Being” and Nature Without Crowds

Costa Rica offers itself to the world as a “sanctuary of well-being”, endorsed by efficient sanitary protocols and based on sustainability and biodiversity without crowds, underlines the Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Segura. He explains that his country is open to all “international tourism”.

Tourism and climate change threaten Lake Baikal, a unique global treasure

Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia is one of the world’s natural wonders. Deeper than the Grand Canyon, older than the Amazon Rainforest, as voluminous as all the U.S. Great Lakes combined, Lake Baikal is home to more species than any other lake on Earth, many of which are found nowhere else. Baikal ...

Costa Rica Will Take Advantage of the Tenorio Volcano Natural Attraction for Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica announced this past Saturday the creation of a tourism project that will take advantage of the natural and scenic riches of the Tenorio Volcano National Park, located in the North Pacific.

Saudi Arabia unveils details of the Red Sea Project

The Red Sea Project, envisioned as an uber-luxurious tourist destination, is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and fortify its tourism sector by 2035. This project will complement the newly opened heritage site, AlUla, and smart city Neom in the ...

Yemen's Socotra archipelago will become a dream destination for tourists

With its lush landscape,distinctive trees, unique animals and turquoise waters home to dolphins, Yemen is hoping its Socotra archipelago will become a dream destination despite the country's conflict.

Ethiopia: Conserving the Habitats of Ethiopia's Wildlife

The habitat of the wildlife in Ethiopia can be described as being badly degraded. This is due to serious threats from cattle that traverse the land, recurrent fire, shortage of seasonal water and unsustainable utilization of resources.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mammals at tourist destinations

How have travel restrictions and reduced tourism in response to the COVID-19 pandemic affected mammals in different tourist destinations? Researchers recently reviewed published studies and news stories to consider this question. Their findings are published in Mammal Review.

Kenya: Lake Olbolosat Traders Reap Big From Flamingo Migration

Traders have flocked Lake Olbolosat in Nyandarua County to exploit the tourism potential that has come with the arrival of thousands of flamingos. Local and international tourists are beginning to visit the lake to see the birds, which have been migrating from lakes Nakuru and Bogoria since the ...

Tourism desperately wants a return to the ‘old normal’ but that would be a disaster

With each passing day, the grave future of Earth becomes more stark. The disruption of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has not been enough to shift the trajectory, nor has it prompted polluting sectors of the economy to reconsider the harms they inflict on the planet.

Saudi desert gateway fast becoming the next tourist hotspot

The city of Najran on the edge of the Empty Quarter — one of the world’s largest sand deserts — is fast becoming Saudi Arabia’s most promising tourist destination, as visitors come in search of historical sights and tales of generations past.

Sustainable tourism key to Cumbria’s new carbon neutral plan

Across Cumbria local communities, businesses and grassroots organisations are being mobilised to map out ways that they hope will help it become the UK’s first carbon-neutral county.

Uttarakhand Tourism to organise first-ever snow leopard tours; details here

Uttarakhand Tourism is all set to organise winter-special snow leopard tours for the first time in February. The snow-leopard tours are being organised in Harsil, a picturesque village on the banks of the Bhagirathi river, to promote wildlife conservation. Harsil is also dubbed the “mini Switzer ...

'A critical time': how Covid-19 piled the pressure on conservation efforts

From the Nepalese Himalayas where tigers patrol the snowy peaks to the lush forest homes of mountain gorillas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, national parks emptied as Covid-19 spread around the world in 2020. Billions of pounds of ecotourism revenue – crucial to the livelihoods of ...

Crowdfunding for conservation on a deserted tourist island

In pre-COVID times, some half a million tourists would descend on the tiny Thai island of Koh Tao, one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine diving destinations.

A good way to be kinder to elephants is to stop riding them

Elephants are chained to small dirt circles, covered in faeces and are only allowed a brief moment of reprieve from their tethers to unwillingly carry around tourists on their backs. While this may sound like some sort of elephant prison, it is actually what a normal day at the Mason Elephant Pa ...

EU funds mean more to see and enjoy in Gozo

Gozo’s intricate link with tourism – international and domestic – has been well documented over time. Pandemics permitting, tens of thousands of Maltese residents cross over to the sister island every month for a few days of vacation while hundreds of thousands more who holiday in Malta, frequen ...

Odisha to share biodiversity wisdom with eco-tourists, trains guides

Serious nature tourists thronging eco-tourism hotspots will have a lot to look forward to soon as Odisha is going to share a wealth of biodiversity knowledge through its trained guides and naturalists.

Indonesia works to restore coral reefs in recovering Bali tourism

Indonesia is restoring 50 hectares of coral reefs in the Indonesia Coral Reef Garden (ICRG) program in support of the tourism sector in the country's resort island of Bali, an official said.

World Cities Day 2020

31 October 2020, New York, United States of America

World Tourism Day 2020

27 September 2020, New York, United States of America

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2020

12 September 2020, New York, United States of America

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts, West Africa’s objectives remain valid

In June 2019, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted the ECOTOUR Regional Tourism Policy and 2019-2029 Action Plan. It includes an overall assessment of the tourism situation, strategic priorities, a list of objectives and an implementation programme, highlighting that to ...

Responsible community-based tourism models tend to have a direct impact on wildlife

My first memories of a safari are in the Churna range of Bori Wildlife Sanctuary in the early 1990s. I was a little boy, barely five years old. The safaris of those days were nothing like what we experience today. Tourism wasn't formally an activity carried out in the Bori Sanctuary. Permissions ...

'Nature is taking back Venice': wildlife returns to tourist-free city

Look down into the waters of the Venice canals today and there is a surprising sight – not just a clear view of the sandy bed, but shoals of tiny fish, scuttling crabs and multicoloured plant-life.

Lord Howe: Australia's most exlusive island?

Everything about Lord Howe, a reef-rimmed tropical island 780km north-east of Sydney, is laidback – except for the fervour with which its locals protect their paradise.

Africa: Dive Tourism - How to Minimize Your Environmental Impact

Reef-World Foundation - the international coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Green Fins initiative - is reminding tourists of the huge environmental impact their actions can have and is calling on people to protect coral reefs by following a few simple guidelines.

Can Gio’s mangrove forests a haven for stressed-out travellers

Noted for its vast mangrove forests, pure air and wildlife sanctuaries, the coastal district of Can Gio and its Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is a perfect weekend break from the frenzied activity of the country's big cities.

How you can get hotels to use less plastic

The 23-year-old sales associate was traveling for work, thirsty from the plane trip, and ready to set aside his personal commitment to sustainability to gulp down water from the single-use plastic bottles he always finds in his hotel rooms.

A Wild Ride: Wildlife In Sri Lanka

If you’re on a wildlife escapade in Sri Lanka, hold your breath because the country’s natural bounty is about to knock the wind out of you. A growing ecotourism hotspot, Sri Lanka boasts of an incredible number of endemic species and biodiversity.

52 places to go in 2020: Here’s where the New York Times says you should visit

From Greenland To Lesotho, And Mongolia To Malaysia, Here’s The New York Times’s Pick Of Places To Inspire, Delight And Motivate You.

In Seychelles, nature is prized above mass tourism

In a shady patch along a pristine white beach on Mahe Island, a radio spits out reggae and snapper sizzles on the barbecue, as Seychelloise Nareen tops up her rum and coke on time off from her job aboard a luxury yacht.

The Nations Switching Glitz for Green

It’s an unlikely spot for an organic fruit and vegetable garden, tucked away between soulless high-rise buildings that dot the most densely populated country in the world. But this 450 sq m sliver of land is where market gardener Jessica Sbaraglia toils away.

Is There A Way To Contain The Damage Tourism Has Caused India’s Coastal Ecosystem?

Earth is under the grip of climate change, which, in turn, is the result of increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere due to deforestation, urbanization, industrialization, pollution, expanding tourism and increasing human population.

Uganda’s mountain gorilla population increases

The global population of mountain gorillas has increased to over 1,000. According to a survey conducted between May and December 2018, the Bwindi-Sarambwe Nature Reserve, had 459 gorillas divided into 50 groups and 13 solitary individuals.

New Zealand's landscape under pressure from booming tourist industry, report says

New Zealand’s booming tourist industry is threatening to ruin its most popular landscapes and could see the country face the kind of overcrowding seen in cities such as Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona, a new report has warned.

Go green this holiday season

The holiday season is here! Time to take a break from daily life and unwind. Many people pack their bags and set off to see the beauty of the world. But for the eco-minded, finding the right holiday destination can be difficult and with mixed results.

International Mountain Day 2019

11 December 2019, New York, United States of America

Travel Tourism Must Transform to Survive, Thrive

MADRID, Dec 4 2019 (IPS) - The travel and tourism sector, with its significant economic and social benefits, has no choice but to transform to survive and thrive in the face of climate change, said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa at COP25 to industry representatives.

Earth Today | Economic Diversity Key To Survival

The Caribbean is being urged to diversify its economic base in the face of climate- change risks that could significantly compromise traditional moneymakers such as tourism.

Falkland to promote its incredible biodiversity to promote tourism

Waddling up the beach in single file, their heads held high with an almost self-important demeanour, king penguins are a major draw in the Falkland Islands' tourism industry. Their fluffy brown chicks are nearly fearless of humans, meaning tourists at Volunteer Point, a peninsula on East Falklan ...

Tourism zones in Pirin National Park threaten chamois population

WWF-Bulgaria is alarmed that the new draft management plan for Pirin National Park is further endangering the habitat of the chamois. The draft plan foresees an expansion of sport infrastructure that would be allowed on an area 12.5 times greater than what is currently allowed, or 7.5% of the Pa ...

Ecotourism: Rwanda’s responsible revenue

Ecotourism is no longer a buzzword invented in the 1990s. For Rwanda, it represents a vital stream of income which helps to preserve its natural wonders and boost its carbon-free credentials

Putting a price on nature …N$13 billion generated through biodiversity

Namibia’s well maintained biodiversity brings in a whopping N$13 billion annually, Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta announced this week.

Ticino, Switzerland: where the Swiss eat carpaccio

As Switzerland bundles up for the cooler months, there is a sun-drenched part of this country that offers scores of Italian history and culture. Here is how you can make the most of Ticino

Ha Long city develops sustainable tourism

Ha Long city in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh is striving to develop sustainable tourism, especially promoting the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay.

Indonesia scraps plans to close komodo dragon island

Indonesia has scrapped plans to ban tourists from an island home to komodo dragons and will instead limit visitor numbers and raise entry prices to create a "premium destination", officials said.

This year’s World Tourism Day theme, ‘Tourism and jobs: A better future for all’, serves to highlight the critical role tourism, and ultimately nature, plays in job creation.

Statement by Dr. Cristiana Pașca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2019

World Tourism Day 2019

27 September 2019, Madrid, Spain

Tourism or permanent settling: Study shows different consequences for coastal fauna

Coasts are habitats for many endangered species and are therefore of great ecological value. They are also of great economic value, as humans use them in very different ways: for instance as areas of permanent settling or as tourist destinations. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have no ...

Paradise, polluted: Cook Islands tries to clean up its tourism sector

Cook Islands — With its white sand, turquoise waters and train of dreamy desert islands just offshore, it’s not hard to see why Muri Lagoon hits the spot for holidaymakers. Situated on the east coast of Rarotonga, the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands, the lagoon is the biggest touri ...

National parks vital for biodiversity conservation – Shifeta

NAMIBIA'S national parks are a vital tool for conserving the country's biodiversity, says environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta. “By managing parks well, their irreplaceable assets and unlimited potential will be conserved for future generations.

Visits to Rwanda's national parks increase by six times since 2003: official

KIGALI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tourist visits to Rwanda's national parks increased by 600 percent since 2003 and the revenues from the visits grow by 250 percent, Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said on Monday at a conservation conference in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda.

Can tourists coexist with nature on Lebanon's Rabbit Island?

Lebanon's beaches have a serious pollution problem. But off Tripoli's Mediterranean coast, a pristine haven attracts migrating wildlife and daytrippers alike.

Finland has been named the best country to visit for wildlife travel

The Global Wildlife Travel Index for 2019 ranked every country on its wildlife travel offering, analysing a variety of factors including wildlife biodiversity, prevalence of national parks, conservation efforts and protected natural areas.

Africa yet to unleash full potential of its nature-based tourism

Countries in Africa can do more to develop tourism in protected areas, which would in turn create jobs in rural places, diversify and grow their economies and improve environmental resilience in the face of growing pressures, a report has said.

Ecotourism for ocean warriors: 5 places where travelers can help make a difference

It’s no secret that the world’s oceans are struggling. Overfishing, damaging commercial fishing practices, an ever-growing micro-plastic problem and the effects of climate change are taking their toll on seas, oceans and waterways across the world.

Everglades In Florida See Hope For Renewal Through Ecotourism – Analysis

A massive ecosystem of lakes, rivers and marshes known as the Everglades dominates the southern portion of Florida.

Ecotourism may threaten predators and boost rodents

The mere sound of the human voice in the wild will send large and medium-sized carnivores into hiding and encourage rodents to prosper, according to new research.

How Peru fell in love with a sea giant worth far more alive than dead

The giant manta ray is at risk in the Pacific ocean, but the rise of ecotourism is changing attitudes among local fishermen

Climate change a threat to tourism in Spain

Climate change is hitting Spain harder than most other European nations. Drinking water is scarce and beaches are receding. There's a danger that tourism in the country will suffer a major setback in the decades to come.

Iraqis turn to budding ecotourism to save marshes

Thirty years after Saddam Hussein starved them of water, Iraq's southern marshes are blossoming once more thanks to a wave of ecotourists picnicking and paddling down their replenished river bends.

Planting fragments of hope

Fifteen years ago, the waters around Islas Marietas in Mexico’s Nayarit State were so abundant with corals that people could see them for miles.

Sustainable tourism for sustainable development

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and Asia is one of the hottest destinations.

Tourism is damaging the ocean. Here’s what we can do to protect it

What does the big blue mean to you? Is it a holiday destination, a source of income, as for the 60 million people working in the marine fishing industry, a vital protein source of 151 million tonnes for human consumption, or a home to millions of species? The ocean has a different meaning for ev ...

Tourists are flocking to locations threatened by climate change. That only makes things worse.

“Last-chance tourism” is hastening the decline of destinations like the Florida Reef and the Galapagos Islands.

On Kangaroo Island and elsewhere, beware the lure of the luxury ecotourist

Kangaroo Island, less than 130 kilometres from Adelaide, is one of Australia's ecological jewels. Tourism Australia describes it as a "pristine wilderness", with cliffs, beaches, wetlands and dense bushland offering protection to native animals such as penguins, sea lions, pelicans, koalas and, ...