Box 1: Georgia TEEB Scoping StudyThe Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative focused on drawing attention to the economic benefitsof biodiversity, including the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. TEEB presents an approach thatcan help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the values of ecosystem services and biodiversity. Georgia wasone of the pilot countries selected for implementation of the TEEB Initiative in 2011. A scoping study identified tourism as one offive core sectors of the Georgian economy applicable for the TEEB Initiative, the others being energy, agriculture, mining and forestry.The study highlighted the substantial dependence of these driving forces of Georgian economy on natural capital and theservices it provides. While acknowledging the positive economic benefits of tourism, the study also identified various adverse impactsof tourism on ecosystems, including habitat loss due to land encroachment, waste generation, and water quality impacts.In addition, some of these adverse effects on biodiversity may also negatively impinge upon the tourist experience (e.g. untreatedsewage affecting bathing water quality; unregulated waste disposal implying plastic litter in otherwise pristine nature spots).A TEEB study for sustainable tourism in Georgia has been proposed to better inform tourism planning and development(zoning, protected are management), and to identify opportunities and threats for long-term sustainable tourism. 332.2 The impact of tourism on biodiversityTourism and biodiversity have a symbiotic relationship.This can be mutually reinforcing and both negativeand positive. For example, the importance ofbiodiversity to the appeal of certain destinations canbring additional visitor pressure but also more supportfor conservation.The main dimensions of the relationship between tourismand biodiversity can be summed up as follows: 34Negative:✤Pressure on habitats, leading to biodiversity loss,from poorly sited, designed or managed tourismdevelopments, operations and activities;✤Direct threats to individual species, for examplefrom recreational activity, from use for fooditems, souvenirs or other trading, or from competitionfrom invasive alien species introducedthrough tourism activity;✤Site clearing for development of tourisminfrastructure;✤Tourism affecting other environmental conditionswhich may negatively impact on biodiversity,for example through waste disposal, waterconsumption and pollution or greenhouse gasemissions contributing to climate change.✤Decrease of tourism flows due to the degradedstate or loss of biodiversityPositive:✤Recognition of the great importance to tourismeconomies of attractive landscapes and a richbiodiversity, underpinning the political and economiccase for conservation and resourcing;✤The development and operation of nature-basedtourism products providing revenue and othersupport for biodiversity conservation;✤Provide direct incentives to communities to reducethreats to and maintain or increase keywildlife populations and biodiversity valuesthrough tourism revenue.✤Tourism providing education of visitors and fosteringawareness of conservation and biodiversityissues✤Support for the livelihoods and cultural diversityof local communities and indigenous peoplesfrom tourism providing an alternative to unsustainableactivities and raising and strengtheningtheir awareness of conservation issues.An understanding of these relationships shouldlie behind the data collection, analysis and managementprocesses employed in pursuing theGuidelines.2.3 Contribution to achieving the Aichi targetsThe Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 35 referredto earlier, provides further context for theGuidelines. It has been shown 36 that effective tourismplanning and actions can contribute to achievingat least 12 of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets 37contained in the plan. For some Targets (5, 8, 9, 10and 12) this is primarily about greater control andmanagement to reduce damage to biodiversity fromtourism. For others (1, 11, 15, 18, and 20) this isabout pursuing the positive contribution of tourismto biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitatrestoration, community engagement, and resourcemobilization. A further dimension is the better integrationof biodiversity and sustainability into developmentpolicies and business models that includetourism, thereby supporting Aichi Targets 2 and 4.14 Tourism Supporting Biodiversity
Chapter 3Tourism and Biodiversity Policyand Governance – an Integrated ApproachUpsilon Andromedae (www.flickr.com/photos/upsand)