Biodiversity & Tourism: Conflict Or Symbiosis? Turning vision into action at global and destination levels. Post-Covid Reset

1. Reset, Reimagine & Reform after Covid-19
BIODIVERSITY – PEOPLE – TOURISM
Prof. Shaun Vorster
shaun.vorster@gmail.com
Lecture
SUNx Malta Diploma in Climate Friendly Travel
under the patronage of Malta’s Minister for Tourism and the Institute
for Tourism Studies
18 February 2021

2. Before Covid-19, tourism was
facing structural problems.
In some places, tourism was on
an unsustainable growth path.
Opportunity to reimagine and redesign
the tourism sector to correct past
mistakes

3. McKinsey, 2020
Immediate focus

4. McKinsey, 2020
Reset
#BuildBackBetter to ensure
positive economic, social &
ecological impacts in long run
Shape societies and economies for decades

5. Short term recovery
with a long-term view
Overriding considerations for
tourism recovery:
Sector-specific
• Health & safety for workers,
communities travelers
• Future-robust value chain
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Global goals
• Achieving climate neutrality by
2050
• Ensuring no more species loss
after 2030
• Decisively addressing poverty &
inequality

6. BIODIVERSITY AND
SPECIES LOSS
• Nature is declining at rates unprecedented in human
history
• Around 1 million animal and plant species are now
threatened with extinction
• The science tell us there are five direct drivers of
biodiversity loss: (i) change in land & sea use, (ii) over-
exploitation, (iii) climate change, (iv) pollution, and (v)
alien & invasive species. These are all driven by human
systems - including travel and tourism.
• The two existential crises - climate change and
biodiversity - are linked.
At least as pressing a global priority as climate change and
health pandemics This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

7. Tourism & Biodiversity:
Conflict or Symbiosis?
Group Discussion 1

8. Tourism & Biodiversity:
Conflict or Symbiosis?
Biodiversity is the natural capital for tourism growth
Tourism is instrumental in safeguarding biodiversity
Tourism is often a threat to biodiversity

9. Balance Sheet
Minus
• Habitat change
• Over-exploitation
• Pollution
• Alien & invasive species
• Climate change
• Illegal trade in wildlife
products
Plus
• Eco-system service; green
exports
• Revenue for biodiversity
conservation
• Bulwark against poaching
• Employment, development
& incentives to
communities to conserve
• Educates visitors & raises
awareness
• Competitive advantage to
developing countries

10. Nature is a fundamental asset for almost
all tourist offerings.
Stimulus will shape societies and
economies for decades.
Redirecting funds away from ecotourism
will increase rural poverty and place
more strain on ecosystems.
Post-Covid Stimulus &
Investment in Green Economy

11. Placing biodiversity and nature at the centre of
financial and business decisions can unlock an
estimated $10 trillion of business
opportunities & create 395 million jobs in
2030.
Ecotourism could create additional annual
revenue of $290 billion by 2030 - vital
contribution to economic recovery, social
inclusion & conserving nature.
Post-Covid Stimulus &
Investment in Green Economy

12. United Nations: Build Back Better
Biodiversity
• No income for protected areas and communities & no access to
social safety nets
• Endangers protected areas where most wildlife tourism takes
place
• Communities may turn to over-exploitation of natural resources
Climate
• Recovery of the sector should be aligned with climate goals
Culture & heritage
• Pressure on heritage conservation in the cultural sector
.

13. Stimulating the conversation
https://responsibletourism.wtm.com/Upcoming-Events/biodiversity/
https://www.wtflucerne.org/topic-sustainable-development
https://london.wtm.com/en/Sessions/89394/Touris
m-and-Biodiversity-Friend-or-Foe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJLJXhSze-
M&list=PLpZKEasITZlTkcgD3KRdognlAdr0NlNCd&index=15

14. How did Covid-19 change
consumers?
Group Discussion 2

15. Ecotourism meets the demands of
the post-lockdown consumer
• Values of nature (non-material): Sense of place, aesthetics,
psychological, etc.
• Strengthen Brand - Destination = appealing and safe
• Gen C – new demographic with new psychographic profile;
heightened concerns for health, safety and hygiene
• 84% of consumers say cleanliness or sanitization certificates
important when booking a travel experience (Tripadvisor)
• Transparency: Publish your protocols
• Travel behaviour:
• Social distancing attractions: off-the-beaten-path
• Beach & mountain tourism, nature, heritage, cultural and
adventure tourism are predicted to grow rapidly over the
next two decades (UN)
• Shifting consumer behaviour to smaller tours, self guided
tours and increased digitisation of the traveller’s journey
(McKinsey)
• Boost Domestic Tourism: Balanced portfolio critical

16. Group Discussion 3
Biodiversity needs Tourism - and Tourism needs Biodiversity to
flourish. This should be a priority in government stimulus and
investment in new infrastructure.
At a global level we need target-setting, awareness, cross-border
planning and collaboration.
What can you do at a destination level to make change happen?

17. Way forward
1. Vision: Stakeholder buy-in; diversity;
targets & KPIs
2. Asset base: Rethink balance – nature,
climate, economy, communities
3. Stimulus: Livelihoods; invest in MSMEs;
green growth across the value chain
(renewables, circular economy, etc.)
4. Skills: Digitalisation & 4IR; diversify beyond
tourism
5. Diversify markets: Boost domestic &
regional tourism
6. Product mix: Authentic; sustainable;
culture & heritage; creative industries;
adventure & ecotourism
7. Governance: Measure to manage it better;
decent jobs; biodiversity targets
8. Alignment: Whole of government
approach; coordinate to reopen & recover

18. True stewardship is not only about
zero impact or mitigating impact, but
rather about having a positive impact –
economic, social and ecological.

19. Any questions or ideas?