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In order to evaluate tourism impacts on biodiversity and the extent to which they are being addressed,it is important that relevant information is gathered and shared through a systematic reporting process.The Secretariat of the CBD encourages all Partiesto voluntarily report on their experiences and engagementwith tourism and biodiversity issues. Thisreporting should be integrated within the NationalReports submitted by the Parties. Additional guidanceon the structure of National Reports can be103, 104found elsewhere.The reporting should indicate any known and specificuse of the Guidelines. Where the Guidelines maynot be used as such, information should be providedon the extent of compliance with the approach thatthey advocate. This will require national governmentagencies, who may undertake the reporting, tobe themselves fully aware of processes undertakenat a local level, which may involve systematic gatheringof evidence.Reporting can be structured around the followingkey topics:✤Recognition of the importance of biodiversity intourism policies, and vice versa✤Level of effective coordination between governmentministries and agencies responsible fortourism, environment and sustainable developmentplanning and finance✤Engagement of indigenous peoples and localcommunities and business interests in localtourism planning and decision-making on tourismdevelopment✤Existence of local plans for tourism that reflectbiodiversity issues✤Requirements for impact assessment of tourismprojects, which includes specification for determiningbiodiversity impacts✤Existence and enforcement of relevant legislationand regulations✤Use of other control/management measures, includingvoluntary and economic instruments✤Tourism sector strategy to support sustainablelocal livelihoods and conservation of biodiversity✤Regular monitoring of tourism impacts on biodiversity,and relevant response✤Availability of sufficient management skills andcapacity to undertake relevant impact assessments,plus other resources to address tourismand biodiversity issues and opportunities.48 Tourism Supporting Biodiversity