Biological Diversity Day: ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’

MNA Feature Desk: The 2017 International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) will be celebrated on 22 May under the theme, ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’.

The theme, indicated by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), coincides with the designation of 2017 by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Biodiversity, at the level of species and ecosystems, provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation.

Many issues addressed under the Convention on Biological Diversity directly affect the tourism sector. A well-managed tourist sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue.

Celebration of the IDB under this theme therefore provides an opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.