A Practical Guide to Managing the Enviromental and Social Impacts of Mountain Tours

8/14/2019 A Practical Guide to Managing the Enviromental and Social Impacts of Mountain Tours

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T ourism and m ounTains

A Practical Guide to Managing the Environmental and Social Impactso Mountain Tours

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UNEP DTIEProduction and Consumption Branch39-43 qua A d C t 75739 Pa s Cedex 15, F a ceTe .: +33 1 44 37 14 50Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74Ema : u ep.t e@u ep.fwww.u ep.f /pc

T ourism and m ounTains

A Practical Guide to Managing the Environmental and Social Impacts

o Mountain Tours

Tour Operators Initiative Secretariatc/o World Tourism OrganisationCap t Ha a 4228020 Mad d, SpaTe : +34 91 567 81 00Fax: +34 91 571 37 33Ema : t @u wt . gwww.t t at ve. g

Copyright Uni ted Nations Environment Programme, 2007

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any orm or educationalor non-proft purposes without special permission rom the copyright holder, providedacknowledgement o the source is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving a copyo any publication that uses this publication as a source.

No use o this publication may be made or resale or or any other commercialpurpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing rom the United NationsEnvironment Programme.

Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation o the material in this publication donot imply the expression o any opinion whatsoever on the part o the United NationsEnvironment Programme concerning the legal status o any country, territory, cityor area or o its authorities, or concerning delimitation o its rontiers or boundaries.Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or thestated policy o the United Nations Environment Programme, nor does citing o tradenames or commercial processes constitute endorsement.

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FOREWORD

Mountains have been a source o wonder and inspiration or human societies and culturessince time immemorial. Our ascination or these unique wilderness areas has been partlybased on their remoteness and inaccessibility. Yet, today, the elements that attract people tomountains clean air, diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique cultures are underthreat, partly because o poorly managed and non-sustainable tourism. Travel to mountain areas, which already attracts up to 0 percent o global tourism, isincreasing rapidly. The investment, operational and managerial decisions o tour operators,other tourism pro essionals and the wider industry are helping to determine the level o bothnegative and positive impacts o tourism in mountain environments. It is there ore vital to

work with this sector to develop and promote sustainable tourism practices.

This Guide to Good Practice, the latest in a series to help the tourism sector integratesustainability into its business, was developed through a collaborative process by the UnitedNations Environment Programme, the Tour Operators Initiative or Sustainable Development,Conservation International and their partners. It o ers a key resource or operators andpurchasers o mountain recreational tours.

We invite you to read the guide, and to work with us in promoting sustainable tourismdevelopment that bene ts the mountain environment, its people and your business.

S lvi L mm tDirector, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE),United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP )

Cl G scSenior Vice President, Regional Programs Division, Conservation International

T m S l i miChair, Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development


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WHy We CreaTed THIS GuIdeTravel to mountain ecosystems is increasing at a rapid pace, as growing numbers o touristsare attracted to the clean air, unique landscapes and wildli e, scenic beauty, culture, history,and recreational opportunities that mountain destinations o er. Yet, while this growthprovides important bene ts to local communities and national economies, the very popularityo mountain areas also poses a potential threat to the health o their natural and cultural

resources. Mountains, which make up nearly a quarter o all land area on Earth and are hometo at least percent o the worlds human population,contain a wide variety o habitats,many o which have extremely high levels o unique and rich biodiversity. Poorly planned andimplemented tours and tourist activities can have a serious impact on these o ten ragileecosystems, as well as on the communities that inhabit mountain regions.

This guide has been created to help mountain-based tour operators and other mountainrecreation pro essionals improve their environmental and social per ormance. We begin withan overview o mountain ecosystems and communities and a discussion o the nature andpotential impacts o mountain tourism and tour activities. Next, we review good practices ora range o key issues related to mountain tourism. These issues are grouped into three maincategories: good business practices, good environmental practices and good practices orspeci c tour activities. For each individual issue, we o er a brie summary, the rationale orgood practices, recommendations o speci c activities and practices, and examples o whatother operators around the world are doing. A sel -assessment checklist is included atthe back o this guide or tour operators to use both to identi y areas o business activitythat need improvement and as a tool or choosing business partners and suppliers based onsustainability criteria.

This publication is part o a series o Practical Guides to Good Practice developed byConservation International and the United Nations Environment Programme or various sectorso the tourism industry. One set o these guides, which is aimed at tourism pro essionals,including the marine recreation sector, the cruise sector and the accommodations sector,encourages providers to implement good practices and work jointly with national and localagencies to develop and implement sustainable tourism strategies. Another group o guides o which this publication is one is aimed speci cally at tour operators o ering tours inparticular environments, including rain orest-based tours, desert-based tours and land-basedtours. For more on these other publications, please see the Sources o Further In ormationsection at the end o this guide.

INTRODUCTION

MounTaInS of THe WorLd

Mountains cover about percent o the worlds land sur ace, ranging over every continentand all major types o ecosystems, rom deserts and tropical orests to polar icecaps (see mapon ollowing page).

All mountains have one major common characteristic: rapid changes in altitude, climate,

vegetation and soil over very short distances that lead to dramatic di erences in habitatand high levels o biodiversity. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and rain all variessigni cantly.

Due to this diversity o conditions, it is di cult to develop a standard de nition o a mountain.In general, mountains can be said to be higher than 00 meters (98 eet), but it is moreappropriate to discuss them in terms o zones o similar altitude, slope and vegetation type.In very general terms, mountains usually comprise a montane, subalpine and alpine zone (seeFigure ). Each zone tends to contain a unique range o plant and animal species, many owhich may be endemic to a particular location.

Figure 1: Mountain Life Zones

Source: United States Department of the Interior, National Parks and Wildlife Service online 2006

alpine

subalpine

montane

lowland orest

rain orest

oCean faCInG / WeT SIderaIn SHadoW / dry SIde

cool

warm


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Europe alpsl Central EuropeC c s s M t i sl Ukrainekj l M t i s

l NorwayP sl France, SpainT s M t i sl TurkeyThi M t i sl Eastern Europeu l M t i sl Russia

Africa atl s M t i sl Morocco, AlgeriaC st l M ti sl Gabon, Congo, Zambia,

Angolad sb g M t i sl South A ricaMit mb M t i sl Zambia

Oceania G t divi i g r gl AustraliaS th alpsl New Zealand

Asia alt M t i sl MongoliaHim l M t i sl A ghanistan,

Pakistan, India,Tibet, Nepal,Kashmir, China

Ti Shl Tajikistan, KyrgyzstanZ g s M t i sl Iran

MounTaIn ranGeS of THe WorLd

North America al s r gl United Statesapp l chi M t i sl United StatesB s r gl United StatesC st l M t i sl United States, Canadar c M t i sl United States, CanadaSi Ml Mexico

South America a sl Argentina, Chile, Bolivia,

Peru, Ecuador, Columbia

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The alpine zone includes the higher, colder and more snow-prone parts o mountains, wherevegetation is sparse due to a short growing season and the extreme environmental conditions. Inthe subalpine zone, which includes mid-altitude areas, vegetation covers more o the landscapeand trees tend to take on a low, shrub-like and twisted appearance known askrummholz . Themontane zone covers the lower part o mountains, where orests grow tall and dense.

The biodiversity o mountain ecosystems and the uniqueness o many o their landscapes andanimal and plant species represent important conservation values. Mountains also supplyimportant resources and bene ts to human society. They are the source o about 80 percent oglobal resh water supplies and provide signi cant ood, hydroelectricity, timber and mineralproducts to more than hal o the worlds population.

MounTaIn CoMMunITIeS

About percent o the worlds human population live in the mountains, with another percent living next to or very near mountain areas and dependent on their resources. O thesepeople, about hal are concentrated in the Andes, the Hengduan-Himalaya-Hindu Kush systemand a variety o di erent A rican mountains. While mountains in the northern hemisphere areo ten sparsely populated, some tropical mountain areas have population densities o morethan 00 people per square kilometer.

Most mountain communities are rural, and most live in poverty. These communities o ten havelittle or no political power and are dependent on economies based largely on barter trade andagriculture. Mountain ecosystems hold important social, cultural, environmental and economicsigni cance or the health and livelihood o these communities, and their close relationshipwith the land has helped them develop unique cultural identities, knowledge and skills.

Mountain communities include several thousand di erent ethnic groups, and the uniquenessand diversity o these cultures is particularly attractive to many tourists. Well-managed tourismcan be an ally in preserving local culture and values, while at the same time improving the socialconditions o the poor and local communities. Poorly managed tourism, however, can contributeto the loss o cultural integrity and identity through cultural assimilation.

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Mountain areas are second only to coasts and islands as popular tourism destinations,generating - 0 percent o annual global tourism, or US$ 0-90 billion per year. Tourists areattracted to mountain destinations or many reasons, including the climate, clean air, uniquelandscapes and wildli e, scenic beauty, local culture, history and heritage, and the opportunityto experience snow and participate in snow-based or nature-related activities and sports.

While modern orms o transportation have made even remote mountain areas accessible toincreasing numbers o visitors, mountain tourism tends to be very unevenly distributed, witha small proportion o locations having signi cant tourism in rastructure. For example, in theEuropean Alps, where tourism now exceeds 00 million visitor-days per year, 0 percent ocommunities have no tourism at all, while 0 percent have extensive and specialized tourismin rastructure.

MounTaIn TourSMountain tours may be sel -guided or led by a tour guide. They may last hours, days or weeksand can involve a range o land-, snow- and reshwater-based activities.

Mountain tours o ten include one or more overnight stays. Where temporary orms oaccommodation, such as tents or vehicles (e.g. camping trailers or mobile homes) are used,these stays are considered camping. The equipment and provisions needed or nature walksand camping activities vary depending on the duration o the walk, the weather conditionsand predictability o the weather, and environmental conditions, such as the incline, likelihoodo ice on trails or the level o snow. The availability o acilities, such as toilets, ood, waterand shelter, along the route will also help determine the necessary supplies.

The most common elements o mountain-based tours include:| n t w l s. An important means o experiencing the mountain lora, auna and

landscape, walks provide tourists with an opportunity to view, interact with and learnabout native birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and other wildli e. Encounters with wildli e,which may be unplanned and occur unexpectedly during a tour or purpose ully sought outand o ered as a core part o a tour program, add signi icant value or visitors. The sceneryand speci ic experiences o a walk may be quite di erent, depending on the season, andcan be a particularly important source o summer income or areas that are generallydependent on snow-based activities.

MOUNTAIN TOURISM


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THe IMPaCT of TourISM In MounTaIn eCoSySTeMS

Tourism can have a range o impacts on mountain ecosystems, communities and economies.While many o the impacts described below are negative, tourism can also generate positiveimpacts as it can serve as a supportive orce or peace, oster pride in cultural traditions, helpavoid urban relocation by creating local jobs, increase visitor awareness and appreciation onatural, cultural and historical values and assets.

e vi m t l imp cts: Mountain landscapes are particularly ragile and susceptible tochange and degradation. Landslides, avalanches, lava fows, earthquakes, torrents and rockalls can alter the landscape unexpectedly. Mountain ecosystems include a wide range o smalland unique habitats, with fora and auna that may have very short growing and reproductiveseasons, and may be particularly sensitive to disturbance by human activity. Tourism activitieso ten involve the development and intense use o tracks, paths and sports slopes by vehicles,non-motorized transport and pedestrian tra c. Visitor presence is also usually concentratedin small areas, contributing to increased noise and waste. The negative environmental e ectso poorly managed tourism activities can include vegetation clearing and soil erosion, removalo scarce habitat, altering o critical landscapes and water fows, water and air pollution, andwildli e relocation or behavioral changes. The introduction o exotic and invasive species anddiseases can also have a signi cant negative impact on local plant and animal species.

S ci -c lt l imp cts: Mountain communities can also be very susceptible to impacts andchange rom tourism activities. The negative social impacts o poorly managed tourism caninclude disturbances rom high levels and concentrations o visitor noise and activity, andreduced availability o scarce shared resources such as rewood, sh and resh water. Inaddition, exposure to and adoption o oreign traditions, li estyles and products can pose athreat to the unique culture, traditions, knowledge and livelihoods o mountain populations,particularly in remote and indigenous communities.

ec mic imp cts: While tourism can provide signi cant local employment, i not properlymanaged, this employment can be short-term and seasonal, providing little skill-building ortraining to local people. Working conditions can be poor, and revenue can easily leak out olocal economies to externally owned companies. However, well-managed tourism can play animportant role in attracting revenue and supporting poverty alleviation. It can also improvein rastructure, provide community services and help diversi y local economies. Employment andincome can, in turn, improve the sel -su ciency and sustainability o mountain communities.

| L -b s v t ctiviti s. Such activities include cycling, mountain biking,quadbiking, horseback riding, canyoneering and, less o ten, rock climbing, ice climbing,hang gliding and caving. While the weather conditions (snow, ice-covered or dry) andaccess to sites may di er (e.g. rozen rivers or lakes or obscured or blocked trails), theseactivities can occur in mountain areas both on and o snow season.

| f shw t -b s c ti l ctiviti s. Activities including river tours, canoeing,

sailing, windsur ing, kite sur ing, kayaking, ra ting and reshwater ishing may also be apart o mountain tours.| S w- p t c ti ctiviti s. Activities such as cross country, downhill and

glacier skiing, heli-skiing, snow scootering, snowboarding, tobogganing, snowshoe walkingand sledding are generally restricted to higher alpine mountain areas and concentrated insnow all seasons.

One or more o the above activities might be incorporated into a tour as a point o interest,or an entire tour can be created around just one o these niche activity areas. In either case,operators need to be prepared to cater to a range o visitor ages, skill levels and equipmentneeds. Some visitors may be complete novices, just interested in trying something di erent,while others may be more experienced and traveling solely or the purpose o engaging in oneor more o these activities. Some may bring everything with them, while others will expectoperators to be able to supply equipment, clothes, transport and/or lessons.

Tour activities are largely dictated by environmental conditions. For example, snow- and ice-based activities are dependent on the existence and extent o ice or snow cover, while water-and nature-based activities may easily be restricted by too much snow and ice. All activitiesare susceptible to temperature changes, blizzards, landslides and weather conditions. In someareas, volcanic eruptions can also be an issue. These actors are o ten unpredictable and willa ect what activities are practical, easible and sa e in light o the experience and skills othe operators and visitors in the tour group.


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| Untreated construction materials can carry exotic insects, spores, seeds and microbes thatcan compete with and threaten native species.

| Chemicals rom paints and treatments can pollute local water bodies.

WHaT Can I do?

| Work with local land owners and managers, service providers and other tour operators

to identi y sites with the greatest need or in rastructure, such as areas o high oot orvehicle tra ic.| Work with other local stakeholders to identi y practical designs and locations that

integrate into the local cultural and natural environments.| Share labor and other construction costs with other service providers and tour operators.| Coordinate the timing o tours with other operators to allow the sharing o existing

in rastructure.

Good PraCTICe In aCTIon

Whitepod,a unique tourist camp located in the Swiss Alps, is made up o semi-permanentdome-shaped tents, or pods, that serve as guest rooms, with a central chalet housing thedining room, common room and bathroom acilities. The pods are heated with wood-burningstoves and all urniture is made rom recycled materials or sustainably harvested wood. Thepods are covered with white canvas in the winter and green in the summer, to blend in withthe surrounding landscape. They are constructed on raised wooden plat orms and can betaken down at any time without leaving any trace on the ground.

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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Built in rastructure that may be associated with mountain tours include ski li ts andsnow makers; paths, boardwalks, suspended walkways, bridges and ences; bird hides,viewing plat orms and lookouts; signage; toilet acilities, picnic and camping grounds;and in ormation centers and vehicle parks. These structures may acilitate access to andthrough mountain areas, provide convenience services or visitors, or o er a way to distribute

environmental education and interpretation materials.

In rastructure may be positioned on private, protected or public land. Although it island owners and managers who will ultimately determine the exact location and use oin rastructure, companies can work with land owners and managers, service providers andother tour operators to ensure that the design and location o mountain in rastructure helpssupport the conservation o the landscapes, habitat and wildli e that attract tourists tomountain areas.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Well-planned, designed and sited in rastructure can: help prevent erosion rom vehicle and pedestrian tra ic; reduce the disturbance o wildli e; keep visitors to de ined routes and paths, limiting impacts on lora and auna; limit access to ragile and sensitive sites; limit access to private community areas; help protect the quality o mountain attractions;

improve and acilitate a sa er and more satis ying visitor experience; and limit the impact o larger groups and repeated, intense use o certain areas.

| Poorly planned, designed and sited in rastructure can: lead to erosion that will alter the natural landscape;

lead to land-clearing and habitat conversion; lead to wildli e disturbance and relocation through increased noise, light and human

presence; block or redirect natural watercourses and drainage paths; create over-shaded areas, thus altering vegetation composition and distribution; detract rom the natural countryside experience and appearance; and a ect the day-to-day li estyle o mountain communities.

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INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT


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WHaT Can I do?

| Identi y the range o potential risks associated with the relevant tour activities and touristgroups.

| Ensure that customers have access to appropriate sa ety equipment.| Include in ormation on required health and sa ety measures and skill and itness levels in

any pre-tour in ormation kit.

| Give pre erence to local and experienced guides, and when required, use certi ied guides.| Carry adequate irst aid supplies and walkie-talkie radios (depending on the area), and

train guides in irst aid and search and rescue procedures.| Ensure vehicles and equipment are: good quality;

maintained in good condition; itted with appropriate sa ety equipment; operated appropriately, sa ely and at reasonable speeds; and

where possible, not used in congested conditions.


Inside Out Experience o ers whitewater, ra ting, hiking, mountain biking and horsebackriding tours in the Canadian Rockies. The company emphasizes sa ety in all its tours. Guidesalways carry an easily accessible and well-stocked rst aid kit and mobile phone, and aretrained in river and wilderness rst aid. For each tour, the guides ensure that all equipmentis in good and sa e working order and give visitors a sa ety talk prior to trip departure. A tereach trip is nished, guides complete a trip report that includes reports on any trip incidents,

equipment to be repaired, management issues or recommendations, and weather conditions.

WHaT IS THe ISSue?

All tour operators have a responsibility, as ar as possible, to protect visitors and guidesrom hazards that may occur during tour activities. For the inexperienced traveler, and evenor experienced guides or visitors, mountains can be challenging environments in which towalk, ride or drive, particularly in snow and ice. Environmental conditions can be variable ando ten extreme, with very low temperatures, very steep and slippery gradients, and hazardous

natural events, such as snowstorms, wild res or avalanches. In addition, most land-based,snow-dependent and reshwater-based adventure activities require the use o specializedequipment, cra ts and skills that can require signi cant levels o physical exertion.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Incorrectly operated vessels, vehicles and aircra t can break down or cause accidents,particularly in di icult or congested conditions or rough terrain.

| Poorly constructed or maintained in rastructure such as ski li ts, pathways, hides andlookouts may pose a risk to tourists using those acilities.

| Poorly maintained vehicles and a lack o itted sa ety equipment such as seatbelts may behazardous to drivers and passengers.

| Inappropriate behavior by tourists and guides, such as hanging objects or limbs outside oa vehicle, can pose risks to both drivers and passengers.

| Inappropriate use and maintenance o adventure equipment and inadequate experienceor supervision o their use can cause injuries, particularly in di icult conditions, terrain orcongestion.

| A lack o in ormation on or understanding o the types o risks presented by a particular

tour and how to avoid and respond to them can increase the chance o exposure to dangeras well as the severity o potential injuries, or both guides and visitors.| Visitors with health problems and those who do not have the necessary level o itness or

skill or physically demanding activities can be at risk or injuries, particularly in di icultconditions.

| Avalanches, landslides and severe storms can prevent access to medical services andsupplies and/or ood and water supplies.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY


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WHaT Can I do?

| Be aware o the presence o wildli e, and the general locations and common travel routeso animals likely to be sharing land or water routes during the course o a tour.

| Avoid known breeding or nesting sites and keep vehicle speeds to a minimum.| Avoid eeding and handling o wildli e. I any handling or eeding o wildli e is required

due to a conservation project, it should ollow appropriate guidelines and be conducted by

trained sta only.| Be aware o evidence o trees, logs or pits used by wildli e or nesting and avoid

disturbing them.| Minimize noise and disturbances, including noise rom equipment, phones, radios and

loud conversations, as well as sudden movements, lash photography, bright coloredclothing and open ires.

| Avoid nighttime wildli e sightseeing tours unless required in a conservation project.


OnMountain Travel Sobek trips, tour leaders help ensure that travelers remain at a sa edistance rom wildli e, avoid approaching any animals and understand the importance ospecies in an ecological context, in terms o habitat and the inter-relatedness o plant andanimal species in an ecosystem.

WHaT IS THe ISSue?

The health, breeding and eeding patterns, and overall populations o mountain wildli especies can be easily a ected by human activities and presence. High levels o noise or brightlights, abrupt and ast movements, and concentrated numbers o visitors in close proximityto nests, breeding grounds and ood sources can all disturb sensitive wildli e. Animals arealso at risk o injury or death rom collisions with vehicles, getting entangled in or ingesting

trash such as cans and plastics, being exposed to disease, and having their nests, burrowsor nesting materials trampled or removed. Improper or inappropriate handling o wildli eby visitors and eeding ood not parts o their natural diet can also pose a threat. Di erentspecies have varying abilities to tolerate and recover rom the range o visitor activities andbehaviors. As a general rule, impacts will increase with larger numbers o visitors, more directorms o contact, and with repeated use o the same viewing and interaction areas.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Local wildli e is a signi icant tourism attraction, and conserving the health, numbers,diversity and presence o wildli e in mountain areas can help maintain the unique valueand appeal o tours in that area.

| Wildli e relocation and changes to breeding, nesting and eeding patterns will reducesightings or visitors.

| Wildli e can become aggressive in their attempts to get ood and become a danger to people.| I wild animals become tamer and dependent on humans, they will be less capable

o sel su iciency when visitors are not around and thus more susceptible to illnessand predation.

| Visitors may be scratched, bitten or stung by wildli e, particularly when animals areimproperly handled, eel threatened, or are protecting their young.| People may su er allergic reactions, poisoning or in ection by parasites or other diseases

rom touching or ingesting dangerous lora or auna.

GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES

WILDLIFE INTERACTION


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| Use vehicles that minimize uel consumption or use renewable energy. For motorized watercra t, diesel, our-stroke or electric engines are the most

energy e icient. For land vehicles, use two-wheel drives instead o our-wheel drives where possible.

Per orm regular maintenance on vessels and vehicles to ensure they are running e iciently.| Avoid skidding or rough riding/driving where possible, to minimize direct impacts on

vegetation.


The members o the French tour operators associationATR (To Act or Responsible Tourism)have prepared destination cards setting out standard guidelines or the consumption onatural resources in each destination that their tours visit. Some examples o these guidelinesinclude avoiding wood consumption in areas where de orestation is severe, being aware okey re hazards in certain areas, and prohibiting the disposal o human waste in water that isused by local populations downstream.

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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Concentrated visitor activity in mountain areas generates signi cant amounts o both solidwaste and wastewater, which can pollute water and soil through improper storage anddisposal. Solid waste can build up rom ood and beverage consumption and the disposal oused packaging, supplies and equipment. Certain types o waste, including pharmaceuticals,personal products and cleaning products may contain dangerous chemicals that can harm

local ecosystems, wildli e or people. Accidental or poorly managed discharges o oils and uelsrom vehicles, vessels or equipment can be a signi cant source o water or soil pollution.Wastewater and sewage rom acilities, water cra t and animals, such as sled dogs andhorses, can also easily pollute reshwater resources, particularly since human and otherwastes and chemicals break down more slowly in alpine areas.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Clean and ree- lowing rivers, creeks and waterholes are critical in supporting wildli e,vegetation and mountain and lowland communities, all o which attract visitors to aparticular area or tour.

| Trash decreases the attractiveness o an area and can injure wildli e that eat or becomeentrapped by it.

| Waste adds pathogens to soil and water, which can then become unsuitable or human useand or sustaining ish and animal populations.

| The health o particularly unique and sensitive ecosystems, such as those in caves, caneasily be threatened by the introduction o waste and trash.

WHaT Can I do?

| Adopt a policy o carrying out all trash and waste wherever possible.| Minimize trash generation.

Avoid over-packaged goods and disposable items. Purchase in bulk and use recyclable and re illable containers where possible.

| Keep waste and chemicals away rom natural water bodies. Avoid the use o cleaning products, soaps, detergents and toothpaste near or in resh water.

| Be care ul with the disposal o human waste. Use permanent toilets or portable chemical toilets where possible. I toilets are unavailable, bury human waste at least cm deep and 00m rom water

sources or campsites.


The members o the French tour operators associationATR (To Act or Responsible Tourism)studied the waste processing systems in various mountain destinations, including Nepal,Morocco, Peru and India, in order to improve waste collection and disposal. Their studyconcluded that it wasnt enough or tour operators to ensure that no waste is le t behind in adestination, but that the companies also need to deposit that waste in locations where it can

be treated at the highest standards available.

Located in the remote village o Chugchiln in the Ecuadorian Andes, theBlack Sheep Inn,implements an ambitious zero-waste waste generation and disposal plan by adhering to thethree Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). The Inn is also a pioneer in the eld o eco-architectureby recycling its wine and liquor bottles into the construction o bottle walls or the hotelsbathroom and sauna acilities. Dry composting toilets produce zero black water or sewage,and all gray water rom showers, sinks and laundry is treated and recycled to be used oranimals and the Inns organic garden.

TheGreat Canadian Railtour Company (GCRC), which operates tours through the CanadianRockies, has implemented several strategies to reduce waste generation and prevent thedisposal o human waste in natural mountain areas. Measures include replacing disposableplastic cutlery with reusable silverware and using recycled materials where possible. Inaddition, all GCRC trains contain 00 percent o human waste in retention tanks, until it canbe properly treated and disposed.

WASTE GENERATION AND DISPOSAL


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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

While many o the good environmental practices or promoting sustainable mountain tourisminvolve avoiding or minimizing negative impacts to ecosystems, tour operators can also gobeyond simply reducing negative impacts and seek opportunities to bene t biodiversity andnature conservation e orts by contributing to improving the state o the environment at alocal, regional or national level. Such actions can be particularly important in countries or

regions where capacity and resources or environmental conservation may be limited.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| A healthy environment is the basis or most mountain-based tourism activities.Contributions to conservation can help to sustain healthy mountain ecosystems and thusmaintain the viability o uture tourism in an area.

| Support or conservation can minimize the risks o uture environmental problems andpreserve the quality o mountain destinations.

| Contributions to conservation can enhance a companys reputation among travelers whoare concerned about global and local biodiversity loss and environmental damage, andthus increase its attractiveness as a tour operator o choice or these people.

| Promoting responsible ways to enjoy the environmental resources in a destination willimprove the overall visitor experience.

| Supporting conservation e orts can generate positive publicity and improve a companysreputation and relationships with local people and organizations, decreasing the chance ocon lict with local communities and increasing their support or tourism activities.

| Winning environmental awards or success ul conservation programs and practices can

lead to positive publicity.

WHaT Can I do?

| Work in partnership with the local authorities, tourism board and community groups in thedevelopment o sustainable tourism policies and strategies.

| Partner with local or national conservation groups to promote conservation.| Participate in environmental and visitor monitoring programs to manage impacts in

visitation zones, per limits o acceptable change (LAC) methodology when necessary or onspeci ic requency relative to the level o impact. Rotate visitation away rom these zonesto allow or recovery and maintenance o natural dynamics.

| Participate in or contribute to eral animal and weed management activities, as well asprograms to control the introduction and limit the spread o invasive non-native species.

| Provide physical or inancial support to local conservation e orts, including rehabilitationactivities and research.

| Sponsor or participate in environmental education e orts in local communities.| Assist with construction or maintenance o site-hardening in rastructure, such as paving,

pathways and boardwalks.| Encourage visitors and guides to become involved in conservation activities byincorporating them directly into a tour. Visitors and guides can contribute to:

Rehabilitation and re-vegetation o tour areas and sites; Invasive lora removal;

Monitoring o erosion and degradation o sites and routes used at consistent andregular intervals;

Monitoring o native and eral animal sightings or evidence or their presence (e.g.droppings, ootprints or digging);

Monitoring or maintenance o the condition o tracks and campsites ( or example,noting the percentage o vegetation cover, the extent o erosion and speci ic loracover, evidence o camp ires in non-designated areas and illegal use o timber orirewood); and

Trash collection and removal.


Established in 98 , theAnnapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is the rst and largestconservation area initiative in Nepal. ACAP is a non-pro t organization that is supported andsustained by various trusts and the ees collected rom the ,000 tourists who trek in the, 9-km area each year. The money is used to protect the natural and cultural heritage othe area and to sustain the local economic and social bene ts o tourism through conservationactivities, community development, tourism management, education and extension initiatives.

Geographic Expeditions gives 0 percent o its net pro ts to environmental, cultural andoutdoor education organizations. The company also includes in ormation in travelers post-trippackets on organizations rom the destinations they have just visited that have produced goodresults in the eld, so that they can make their own contributions to local conservation e ortsa ter they return home.

CONTRIBUTION TO BIODIVERSITY AND NATURE CONSERVATION


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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Mountain environments are very vulnerable to the e ects o global climate change, which isspeeding up glacier melting, changing cloud orests, a ecting the breeding success o alpineanimals, causing tree lines to advance upslope and decreasing summer water fows romglacier- ed rivers.

The e ects o climate change are magni ed in alpine areas: when ice and snow melt inhigher temperatures, the exposed bare ground absorbs heat rom the sun and melts even moreo the surrounding ice and snow. This positive eedback results in accelerating rates omelting and is causing mountain environments to trans orm rapidly as a result o seeminglysmall changes in global temperature.

Throughout the world, glaciologists are observing dramatic rates o glacial melting. In Peru,researchers recently observed that glaciers retreated times aster between 998 and000 than during the 0 years rom 9 to 98 . In Switzerland, experts predict that therewill be no more glaciers by 0 0. In Nepal, the glacier that Sir Edmund Hillary and TenzingNorgay camped on or their rst ascent o Mt. Everest has retreated ve kilometers upslope.Worldwide, melting rates have doubled since the 980s.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Shrinking glaciers will a ect the global supply o resh water. More than hal o the worldspopulation relies on resh water rom mountain regions.

| Snowlines are rising (globally, the permanent, late summer snowline has risen about 00

meters since the early 9 0s) and winters are getting shorter, which may cause signi icantproblems or low-elevation ski resorts. A recent study in the Alps showed that reducedlevels o snow and shortened snow seasons, particularly at areas o lower altitude inGermany, Austria and Switzerland, is starting to negatively a ect the economies o snowresorts.

| Melting alpine perma rost has been linked with rock all, such as the extraordinary eventson portions o amous climbing routes in the Alps in the summer o 00 .

WHaT Can I do?

| O set the carbon costs o your tours.| Support mountain monitoring and research programs.| Support national, regional and local policies and strategies to limit carbon emissions.| Take practical steps to reduce the carbon emissions o your activities, including reducing

energy consumption and the use o ossil uels, as detailed in the section on Resource

Consumption, Energy Use and Transport.| Educate visitors about the e ects o climate change on mountains and snow-based

recreational activities. O er suggestions or how they can reduce greenhouse gas emissionsby, or example, using low-polluting vehicles, removing ski racks and replacing snow tires withnormal tires at the end o the season, and carpooling or taking shuttles to recreational sites.

| Support the creation o new protected areas and the improvement o conservation strategiesand policies to combat the e ects o climate change.


Aspen Skiing Company,which operators ski mountains and hotels in Colorado, USA, o sets 00percent o its electricity use with renewable energy certi cates. By making the largest purchaseo wind energy certi cates in the history o the U.S. ski industry, the company has taken amajor stand on global warming while educating its employees and guests on the urgent need toaddress climate change.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MOUNTAINS


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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Land-based adventure activities that may orm part o mountain tours include cycling,mountain biking, horseback riding, canyoneering and, less o ten, rock climbing, ice climbing,hang gliding and caving. The environmental impacts o these adventure activities can bemore severe than those rom hiking and walking, because o the repeated and heavy use oequipment on the sensitive mountain landscape. Wheels, hooves, ropes and hooks can all

cause signi cant damage to the landscapes, creek beds, vegetation, rock and cave ormationsin which they are used. I not properly managed, land-based activities can lead to soil erosionand poor soil quality, vegetation clearing, habitat loss, disturbance to wildli e and humans,pollution, and the loss o diverse landscapes and scenery. The introduction o non-nativespecies through horses or improperly cleaned equipment can also threaten local plant andanimal populations. Caves are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity andlight, as well as the acidity o human skin. In any activity, these impacts can be magni ed ithe equipment is o a poor standard, or is used incorrectly or inappropriately.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Following good practices in conducting and managing adventure activities will helpconserve the quality o the unique landscapes, caves and rock ace environments thatattract both visitors interested in adventure activities as well as those interested in simplyexperiencing a diversity o natural environments.

| Ensuring sustainable use o these areas over the long term will help support current anduture operators in developing and diversi ying tour products and packages.

WHaT Can I do?| Understand the relationship between the potential impacts o particular activities and the

resilience and ability o sites to regenerate under the pressure o adventure activities.| Select and rotate tour routes and sites where adventure activities take place to avoid

sensitive sites and minimize the intensity and impacts o use.

0

| Ensure that tour groups ollow designated routes. Stay on designated tracks/roads where possible when traveling on horseback or by bike. Keep to the middle o tracks to avoid erosion, trampling o vegetation and ever-widening

tracks. Keep to the highest and driest ground, which is the most stable, and cross creeks and

rivers at designated crossings at 90 degrees to the bank, to help minimize erosion and

landscape damage. Use only existing tracks to access cli s or rock climbing or caves and be aware o

avoiding any geological, archaeological and cultural sites o signi icance. Keep to designated routes when in caves in particular, as contact with cave ormations

can quickly deteriorate these structures. Paths should not block natural water lows andstructures should be built to protect sensitive cave ormations.

| Keep animals clean. Keep horses coats, tails, hooves and manes ree rom seeds and plant materials that

might introduce non-native species into an ecosystem. Collect and remove any animal waste.

Deliver eed to horses through a nose bag. Commercial grain and processed eeds suchas pellets are the best option or horses, both be ore and during the trip.

| Keep animals controlled Water animals by trough or bucket, to avoid erosion on creek and river banks. Pen horses

at least 0 meters (98 t) rom the nearest water body and in an area at least squaremeters ( square eet) per animal.

Use a portable ence or designated tie up acility where available, but avoid wire encesas they can cause damage to trees and animals. Portable low voltage electric ences arepre erred.

Use so t ties when tethering horses to natural anchors, though tethering should beavoided with horses that paw the ground as this action can clear the ground areaaround tethering points very quickly.

| Keep boots and equipment clear o dirt, lint, chemicals, seeds and plant materials whenentering mountain areas, particularly sensitive sites such as cave environments.

| Avoid handling and removal o animals and vegetation, as well as rock structures,particularly those in cave environments and rocky and heavily inclined areas.

LAND-BASED ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES


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| Avoid intensive or constant use o particular areas When rock climbing, rotate the use o areas and keep group numbers small, as repeated

or intensive use o the same areas can remove mosses and other li e on rock ace areas. Follow these same guidelines or ice climbing, as ice aces are also subject to

deterioration and instability with repeated and sustained use.| Use appropriate standards o equipment in a correct manner, to minimize and avoid

damage to natural landscapes and eatures. Minimize the use o chalk when rock climbing, as this can detract rom the natural

appearance and attractiveness o rock aces. Avoid excessive use o ixed equipment and bolts (particularly galvanized) on all

climbing areas, as these can chip and wear away at rock and ice ormations. When caving, use so t materials to cushion ropes and natural anchors, and avoid bolts

and overuse o cave marking materials and lights. Avoid strong lighting in caves, as it encourages algae and other oreign species into

the sensitive ecosystems and can be injurious to cave dwelling animals. Use battery-operated lights where possible.

| Support the development o appropriate site in rastructure and site hardening to enhancethe long-term viability o adventure activities in a destination.

| When hang gliding, avoid areas that are important eeding or breeding areas or sensitivespecies, so that animals do not relocate rom open areas to orested or more protected areas.

Good PraCTICe In aCTIonG g phic exp iti s requires that all guides and participants on their climbing trips utilizeclean climbing techniques, care ully check the sa ety o anchors, avoid damaging trees that maybe used as anchors, and remove all hardware and webbing rom public areas a ter use.


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WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Healthy reshwater systems are extremely important or the conservation and health omountains, as well as or mountain and lowland communities who depend on this resource.Mountain tours may include river tours, canoeing, sailing, windsur ng, kite sur ng, kayaking,ra ting and reshwater shing. While these activities can provide visitors with a way toexperience the beauty and uniqueness o mountain reshwater ecosystems, when not properly

managed, they can threaten the very environment that attracted these visitors in the rst place.

The use o motorized and non-motorized watercra t in reshwater bodies can lead to erosionand vegetation clearing along riverbanks, rom the repeated transport, dragging and launchingo watercra t and equipment. Trees can become damaged rom constant use as anchors, andriver beds, rock ormations and water-based vegetation and habitats can also be damagedrom anchors, paddles and collisions. Wildli e are also at risk rom collisions with watercra t,and may become entangled in or injured by litter, discarded shing equipment and tackle.Increases in turbidity rom constant paddling or propellers can also be a hazard to wildli e,while noise rom motorized water cra t can disrupt eeding, breeding and nesting patterns.

Chemicals used or cleaning or equipment maintenance, oil and uel spills, and discharge owastewater and sewage can pollute the water, making it unsuitable or human use and orsustaining sh and animal populations. Unmanaged shing can lead to declining native shstocks, resulting in poor shing experiences or local and visitor populations. The introductiono exotic diseases or species, such as non-native sh, can lead to competition with andpredation on local species.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| Mountain water bodies are the source o clean water or many communities, andmaintaining the quality o this water supply may prevent uture con lict with localcommunities and increase their support or tourism.

| Pristine reshwater bodies are important or protecting ish and other water-dwellinganimals, and as a clean water source or all local wildli e. Threatening the heath owildli e habitat may decrease local populations, reducing wildli e sightings or visitors.

| Clean environments, healthy vegetated landscapes, plenti ul ish stocks and the presenceo unique and native wildli e all add to the value o the mountain experience or visitors.

| Over ishing by both commercial and sport ishing operations may lower local ishpopulations, removing key species rom the ood chain and causing signi icant changes

FRESHWATER-BASED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

throughout the ecosystem. The viability o any ishing-based tourism activities depends ona healthy and stable ish population in reshwater bodies.

WHaT Can I do?

| Identi y sensitive sites such as breeding or nesting grounds in rivers and creeks and alongbanks. Avoid these areas when porting, launching, anchoring or mooring watercra t and

when choosing sites to come ashore.| Encourage sustainable ishing practices. Be aware o and ollow any regulations on maximum ish catch and minimum size

regulations, as well as seasonal closures or zoning restrictions. Use appropriate tackle and native bait, and limit catch sizes to immediate need.

Know which species are threatened or endangered in a certain region, display thisin ormation or visitors and do not catch these species.

| Use mooring buoys. I anchoring is absolutely necessary, make sure the boat is anchored in a designated

area, away rom important ecosystems and where it will not be dragged nearthese areas and accidentally cause damage.

Use so t wraps when tying to trees, and correctly use or install mooring rings or pylonswherever possible.

Avoid damage to vegetation and banks when unloading, launching and coming ashore.| Keep watercra t and equipment clean o dirt, seeds, moss and algae to help prevent water

pollution and contamination with non-native species or diseases. Clean and maintainwatercra t away rom water bodies and with a minimum use o chemicals.

| Avoid disposing o wastewater, sewage, trash, ishing line and tackle into resh water.| Keep the number o non-motorized watercra t to eight or less and the number o customers

per guide to or less, to limit the intensity o impacts and make it easier to monitor andmanage visitor activities.


OnMountain Travel Sobek Alaska ra ting trips, guests are given an orientation at the starto the trip about where and how to dispose o any garbage. The company uses a six-garbagesystem that divides waste into categories (organic, metals, glass, plastic, burnable paperand human waste) and provides detailed guidelines on how to deal with each type.

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SNOW-DEPENDENT RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

WHaT IS THe ISSue?

Snow-dependent recreational activities include cross-country, downhill and glacier skiing,heli-skiing, snow scootering, snowboarding, tobogganing, snowshoe walking and sledding.The mountain areas that support these activities o ten contain the most ragile ecosystems,with many unique species requiring speci c environmental conditions and relying on sparsehabitat and ood sources. Even small changes in landscape contours, vegetation coverage

and distribution, natural water fows, or soil, air and water quality can have signi cant e ectson habitat, wildli e and species diversity.

In the highest mountain ecosystems, snow cover protects the vegetation below it to someextent. However, repeated, harsh or intensive use o the same areas or areas with minimalsnow cover can easily damage the sensitive vegetation beneath, inhibiting growth andrecovery in already short growing seasons. Such areas are also vulnerable to soil compaction,which makes sur aces more impermeable and creates greater sur ace water runo , leading toerosion and inhibiting vegetation growth. Watercourses may be modi ed through the creationo channels rom repeated sledding, skiing and use o snow transport vehicles and thedevelopment o arti cial slopes. Excessive water use or snow making machines can also alternatural water fows.

Heavy use can reduce habitat and ood sources or local auna, and cause wildli e to relocate.Animals are also likely to relocate away rom areas adjacent to snow-based activities, as theyare loud, abrupt and involve ast movements. Species may also be a ected by predation orcompetition through the introduction o exotic fora or auna species carried on equipment,clothing, transport vehicles or sled animals.

Poorly positioned arti cially created slopes ( or downhill skiing in particular) and associatedin rastructure o ten involve the clearing o large areas o already sparsely distributedvegetation. Many alpine ecosystems are small and concentrated in particular geographicareas, and this clearing can easily lead to signi cant reductions in biodiversity andhabitat, as well as remove natural barriers and protection rom avalanches. Land-clearingor associated tourism in rastructure such as lodges, accommodation, restaurants andentertainment also contributes to the problem.

WHy SHouLd I Care?

| The high concentration and number o visitors and levels o noise and activity thato ten result rom snow-based activities and in rastructure can detract rom the naturallandscape, serenity, seclusion and wildness o mountain areas that attract many visitorsto these areas.

| Low-pollution and trash- ree environments are more attractive to all visitors.

| Higher levels o vegetative cover will protect habitats, improve the visual attractiveness oareas, and increase natural protection against avalanches.

| The loss or relocation o lora and auna as a result o the e ects o snow-based activitieswill reduce the opportunity or all visitors to see and experience mountain wildli e.

WHaT Can I do?

| Minimize the use o motorized transport and consider sharing transport vehicles andin rastructure with other tour operators or accommodation providers.

| Recommend to accommodation and transport providers that they demonstrate goodenergy, waste and water practices (particularly or snow making).

| Carry out all trash where possible.| Keep sled animals, equipment and clothing ree o seeds and other exotic organisms.| Use established routes and slopes or all snow-based recreational activities.| To maintain tour business revenue and viability, operators may need to consider

decreasing their dependence on snow-based activities and diversi ying tours to includenon-snow-based nature and adventure activities. High-quality and unique mountainlandscapes, lora and auna are a direct asset or the development o such nature-based

activities. They also support the well-being and li estyle o local communities. Nature-based and cultural activities can supplement and diversi y tour products and can providerevenue all year around.


On its ski-mountaineering trips across South Georgia Island,Geographic Expeditions requires that all waste be carried out in heavy-duty plastic bags on sleds and disposed o onthe ships that support the expedition. The tour leaders also ollow speci c protocols to ensurethat no non-native species are carried into sensitive ecosystems, including making sure thatall participants disin ect their boots be ore going ashore.


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8 9

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION

CodeS of ConduCT for reCreaTIonaCTIVITIeS

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OFENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE:Australian Alps codes o conduct brochureshttp://www.australianalps.deh.gov.au/publications/codes/index.html

CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS:Leave No Trace Programhttp://www.lnt.org

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY (AUSTRALIA),INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ECOTOURISM:Green Guide or WD Tourshttp://www.gu.edu.au/centre/icer/GREENGUIDES/gg WD.PDF

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY (AUSTRALIA),INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ECOTOURISM:Green Guide to White Water ( or whitewaterra t and kayak tours)http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/icer/GREENGUIDES/ggwhitewater.pd

THE INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAINEERING ANDCLIMBING FEDERATION:Environmental Objectives and Guidelineshttp://www.uiaa.ch/visual/ les/guideA .pd

NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION:Sustainable Slopes: The EnvironmentalCharter or Ski Areashttp://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes/

OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE (VICTORIA,AUSTRALIA):Adventure Activity Standardshttp://www.orc.org.au/aas/view_standards.htm#

TourISM InITIaTIVeS and ProGraMSCENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIPIN BUSINESS AT CONSERVATIONINTERNATIONAL: TRAVEL AND LEISUREPROGRAMhttp://www.celb.org/xp/CELB/programs/travel-leisure

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL:ECOTOURISM PROGRAMhttp://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/programs/ecotourism/

ECPAT INTERNATIONALhttp://www.ecpat.net

MAST-NEPALhttp://www.mast-nepal.org

NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION:SUSTAINABLE SLOPES ASSESSMENT TOOLhttp://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/ss_tool/ 00 instructions.pd

TOUR OPERATORS INITIATIVE FORSUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENThttp://www.toinitiative.org

UNEP TOURISM PROGRAMMEhttp://www.unep. r/tourism

WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNCIL:TOURISM FOR TOMORROW AWARDShttp://www.tourism ortomorrow.com/

MounTaIn area ConSerVaTIonGrouPS and reSourCeS

THE ALPINE NETWORKhttp://www.alparc.org

THE BRITISH MOUNTAINEERING COUNCILhttp://www.thebmc.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR INTEGRATEDMOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENThttp://www.icimod.org/home/

THE INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAINEERING ANDCLIMBING FEDERATION (UIAA)http://www.uiaa.ch

THE INTERNATIONAL PORTER PROTECTIONGROUPhttp://www.ippg.net

THE MOUNTAIN INSTITUTEhttp://www.mountain.org/index.c m

THE MOUNTAIN FORUMhttp://www.mtn orum.org/index.c m

GeneraL TourISM aSSoCIaTIonS

ASSOCIATION OF BHUTANESE TOUROPERATORShttp://www.abto.org.bt

ASSOCIATION OF UGANDA TOUR OPERATOR

http://www.auto.or.ugBRAZIL TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATIONhttp://www.braziltouroperators.com

ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIAhttp://www.ecotourism.org.au

EUROPEAN TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATIONhttp://www.etoa.org

FEDERATION OF TOUR OPERATORS (UK)http://www. to.co.uk

INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORShttp://www.iato.in

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANTARCTTOUR OPERATORShttp://www.iaato.org

INTERNATIONAL GALAPAGOS TOUROPERATORS ASSOCIATIONhttp://www.igtoa.org

IRISH TOUR O PERATORS ASSOCIATIONhttp://www.itoa-ireland.com

KENYA ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORShttp://www.katokenya.org

MALAYSIA ASSOCIATION OF TOUR AND TRAAGENTShttp://www.matta.org.my

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NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION (US)http://www.ntaonline.com

NEPAL ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORShttp://www.nepaltouroperators.org

TANZANIA ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORShttp://www.tatotz.org

UNITED STATES TOUR OPERATORASSOCIATIONhttp://www.ustoa.com

oTHer CI/ToI/uneP PuBLICaTIonS onTourISM Good PraCTICeS

A SHIFTING TIDE: ENVIRONMENTALCHALLENGES AND CRUISE INDUSTRYRESPONSEShttp://www.celb.org/xp/CELB/publications-resources/

FROM SHIP TO SHORE: SUSTAINABLESTEWARDSHIP IN CRUISE DESTINATIONShttp://www.celb.org/ImageCache/CELB/content/downloads/ romshiptoshore_ epd /

v / romshiptoshore.pdINTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTOBUSINESS: A MANAGEMENT GUIDE FORRESPONSIBLE TOUR OPERATIONShttp://www.toinitiative.org/about/about.htm

INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTOBUSINESS: AN IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE FORRESPONSIBLE TOURISM COORDINATORShttp://www.toinitiative.org/about/about.htm

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE:MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIALISSUES N THE ACCOMMODATIONS SECTORhttp://www.toinitiative.org/supply_chain/supply.htm

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE:

MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THEMARINE SECTORhttp://www.toinitiative.org/supply_chain/supply.htm

SUPPLY CHAIN ENGAGEMENT FOR TOUROPERATORS: THREE STEPS TOWARDSUSTAINABILITYhttp://www.toinitiative.org/supply_chain/supply.htm

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: THE TOUROPERATORS CONTRIBUTIONhttp://www.toinitiative.org/good_practices/introduction.htm

TOURISM AND DESERTS: A PRACTICALGUIDE TO MANAGING THE SOCIAL ANDENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE DESERT

RECREATION SECTORhttp://www.unep. r/pc/tourism/library/Desert% 0Guide.htm

noTeS

People and Mountains, Peopleand the Planet website, http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=9 &section=Ibid.Ibid.

About Conservation International

CI believes that the Earths natural heritage must be maintained i uture generations are to

thrive spiritually, culturally and economically. Our mission is to conserve the Earths living

natural heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able

to live harmoniously with nature. Founded in 1987, CI is a global nonproft organization,

working in more than 30 countries on our continents. Practical and people-centered, we

draw upon a unique array o scientifc, economic, awareness-building and policy tools to

help inhabitants o the Earths biologically richest ecosystems improve the quality o their

lives without depleting natural resources.

For more in ormationsee www.conservation.org

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This Practical Guide toGood Practice has grownout o the experiences o UNEP, Conservation

International and the Tour Operators Initiative or Sustainable Development (TOI) and their partners.

Recognizing the need to respect mountainenvironments and the

importance o positive relations with local people,the guide seeks to

promote mountaintourism as a leading

source o sustainabledevelopment, which is

possible i tourism is planned by pro essionalswho care about the impact

o their activities.

In fve main sections, theGuide clearly lays out the

key issues or mountaintourism, the potential

problems and benefts associated with it and

specifc recommendationsor reducing its negative

impact and increasing its postive e ects.

For more information, contact:UNEP DTIEProduction and Consumption Branch39-43 Quai Andr Citron75739 Paris CEDEX 15, France

Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 50Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74E-mail: unep.fr/pcwww.unep.fr/pc

Conservation International2011 Crystal DriveSuite 500

Arlington, Virginia, USA Tel: 703 341 2400Faz: 703 271 0137Email: [email protected]

Documents

A Practical Guide to Managing the Enviromental and Social Impacts of Mountain Tours