Motion 076

This motion addresses the urgent need for targeted governance measures in areas experiencing high tourism pressure, such as marine protected areas, mountain ecosystems, and cultural landscapes. While previous IUCN resolutions have advanced sustainable tourism frameworks, they often treat tourism impacts generically, without focusing on the unique challenges posed by high visitor density. The exponential growth of tourism in certain iconic sites has outpaced existing management plans, leading to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and increased conflicts with local communities.

Background and Relevance
Tourism is a key economic driver in many regions, yet uncontrolled tourism in hotspots has led to habitat fragmentation, disturbance of vulnerable species, and loss of cultural integrity. Reports from IUCN Member States highlight a lack of consistent frameworks to assess environmental carrying capacity and mitigate impacts in high-traffic areas. Relevant studies by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and BirdLife International underline the need for ecosystem-based management approaches tailored to visitor influx.

Why a Motion is Necessary
Despite valuable efforts by Member States, NGOs, and international bodies, the absence of a coherent global strategy focused on high-pressure areas has limited effective action. This motion proposes standardized guidelines for assessing and regulating visitor impacts, aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). It also promotes the diversification of tourism activities, supporting alternative offerings such as eco- and agro-tourism to reduce concentration in vulnerable zones. Collaborative cross-border approaches, particularly for transnational natural heritage sites, will enhance protection and align with commitments under the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Broader Impact
This motion aims to build resilience in natural areas under tourism pressure by fostering sustainable economic models that benefit local communities and contribute to biodiversity conservation. By prioritizing ecosystem health and community engagement, it strengthens both environmental and social outcomes, reinforcing IUCN’s leadership in sustainable tourism. Moreover, the guidelines developed could serve as a global reference for managing high-pressure areas in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The proposed actions, which integrate education, diversification, and governance, fill a critical gap left by previous resolutions, ensuring that conservation goals are met in the face of growing tourism challenges. As a result, this motion not only complements existing frameworks but also advances global best practices for responsible tourism in ecologically vulnerable areas.