Going on vacation to see and experience exciting new places doesn’t need to mean that we’re trampling all over nature. Nature-based Tourism has existed for a long time, with local guides and former poachers in southern Africa now working together and protecting their Wildlife. This demonstrates how much tourism can be financially viable and provide jobs while maintaining the natural landscape and wild species.

Whilst scrolling through stunning wildlife photos can fill you with a sense of awe; the real majesty can only be experienced by visiting places. This article will share some ways that tourism is now benefitting, rather than harming, the natural world.

Empowering Local People

By giving local people the roles and responsibilities of caring for their wildlife in the interests of tourism, a wide range of employment opportunities are opened up. This ranges from farming being more profitable to feed tourists, to island-dwelling natives designing and selling their own shark bracelet, to guides being used for their local knowledge and expertise. All of this leads to a thriving local economy, generating income that can be spent on protecting the wildlife that the tourists are going to see.

Working with Wildlife

Various areas around the world now encourage tourists to interact with wild animals in some way. Of course, nobody should get too close in case of any danger to either the tourists or the animals. However, wolf-trekking in the Italian Apennines has become increasingly popular over recent years, as has bear spotting in Romania’s Transylvanian Alps. Rather than threaten the wildlife, tourists can learn about these amazing creatures by gaining first-hand experience of where and how they live.

Rewilding

This process refers to areas that have been used by humans being given back to the plants and animals that would naturally colonize that place. This has happened in a wide array of areas, from former cattle ranches in South America to disused ski resorts in Europe. Although these areas may be seen to be losing their financial basis because their previous uses are no longer operational, the areas can earn money from tourism instead. There is a notable trend, particularly in European citizens, to reconnect with nature when they take a vacation. Visiting areas that have been rewilded makes for an ideal trip!

Financial Security

If areas earn money from tourism while protecting their wildlife, that money can be reinvested into other local conservation projects. It becomes a positive feedback loop that benefits both people and the environment. For example, the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to the Isle of Mull in Scotland supports over 100 jobs and is estimated to earn over £5 million a year from tourism. In the past, such predators may have been seen as too much of a threat to local farmers, but the money they generate from tourists now exceeds any losses to the agricultural industry. The same can be said for lions in Kenya or Sumatran tigers in Indonesia.