Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) make up a rich and complex region, home of around 60% of terrestrial life, varied marine and freshwater flora and fauna (UNEP-WCMC, 2016). It encompasses mega-diverse regions such as the Amazon and includes the largest wetlands in the world, such as the Pantanal in Brazil or the Iberá wetlands in Argentina. LAC’s biomes include deserts, tropical forests, grasslands, coastal and highland ecosystems. The existence of extensive areas in a natural or semi-natural state makes the region a reserve of pristine environments of great value. It is the most protected region in the world in terms of land cover (excluding the polar region), with more than 8.8 million km2 in terrestrial and marine protected areas, more than the total area of Brazil, the 5th largest country in the world. In addition, some 2,300 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) have been identified in the region, covering 3.2 million km2 (about the area of India).
Ecosystems that are healthy and rich in biodiversity, in addition to providing water, food, shelter and energy, among other goods, are a unique natural capital of great attraction for tourism and with enormous potential for both conservation and development.
Nature-Based Tourism
Nature-based tourism is a practice that has grown steadily and globally in recent decades. Factors such as an increasingly urbanized population, well-informed and more environmentally conscious consumers, the valorization of the experience economy and the democratization of outdoor practices that today are carried out transversally by different generations, explain a large part of the demand for nature by travelers. LAC received more than 200 million international travelers in 2019. In 2022, Mexico led the region in terms of arrivals. In addition, the Caribbean is one of the regions in which tourism has the greatest impact (four Caribbean countries are in the top 10 of international arrivals). Most countries in the region have already fully recovered their historical rates of travelers and tourism spending prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to the economic benefits (foreign currency earnings, income redistribution and job creation), tourism matters because of its potential contributions to the culture and nature of destinations.
This productive activity can be transformed into a tool for the conservation of environments and species, through the environmental education of tourists, the promotion of protected natural areas and the development of host communities linked to the protection of environments and species. Tourism that is truly respectful of biological diversity involves a continuous process that requires careful planning and constant monitoring of its impacts. In this way, tourism can be consolidated as an essential part of the economy of our countries, within the framework of broader sustainable development agendas. There are several initiatives from the tourism sector, such as Nature Positive for Travel & Tourism, promoted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) or Nature First, which indicates the best practices and principles to be followed by nature photographers; as well as different government programs and proposals from civil society for a more environmentally responsible tourism. The behavior and commitment of tourism providers and their clients are essential to minimize the tourism footprint on biodiversity.
The IDB has supported sustainable tourism programs throughout the region, including activities and projects as diverse as the provision of infrastructure or management plans to organize tourist visits to natural sites; prioritizing environmental planning and safeguards in projects; working with governments and the private sector to support small and medium-sized tourism entrepreneurs linked to natural destinations and, more recently, through studies and technical cooperation that address digitalization with purpose, which includes the incorporation of technology for environmentally friendly practices.
Recently, the IDB implemented the Urban Environmental Requalification Project of the coast of Salvador (Brazil) within the framework of the National Tourism Development Program. Among the activities, those focused on the conservation of native species of the beach “restinga” (endemic vegetation that is habitat for species and provides coastal protection) had a great impact. This coastal transition ecosystem was degraded and fragmented by the advance of urbanization, invasive species and a high level of anthropization in general. Through mapping, erosion control, protection of the sandy substrate on the beach and planting of native plants, functional ecological corridors were re-established between the existing masses. At the same time, support was provided to the Tamar Project, dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles, which constituted a virtuous model of governance between NGOs, government, the Bank, merchants, hoteliers, innkeepers and citizen organizations. Sustainable tourism is promoted with the understanding of both the host community and visitors that the greatest value for all comes from a well-preserved environment. Artisans and other tourism ventures, such as hotels, accompany the birth and location of the turtles in the sea, and tourists can act as collaborators in a process that takes place from November to March. Components of sustainable tourism public works and comprehensive environmental management are also part of this model conservation project with the participation of the tourism sector and visitors.
There is an opportunity in the development of nature-based tourism. There is also a duty: to preserve biodiversity, its sustainable use and a fair share of the benefits derived from such use, as stated in the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in 1992 and ratified by 196 UN member countries, and which led to the annual celebration of May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The authors wish to thank Juliana Bettini for her contribution to this piece.
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Cover photo credit: Projeto Tamar
Additional image credit: Shutterstock
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