Take Action - Tourism

Why is Biodiversity Important to Tourism?

Biodiversity is what makes Ireland the beautiful country it is. It provides us with a wealth of resources for the tourist sector including scenic walks, interesting animals and plants and wonderful places to explore. Ireland offers a unique experience to tourists because of our biodiversity and many parts of the country boast plants that can only be found in the Arctic or the Mediterranean but not together in one place. In a 2005 survey, the scenery and quality of sightseeing was the primary motivation for visiting Ireland. Furthermore, two in every three visitors that toured the country by car, did so to enjoy the scenery and attractions Ireland has to offer.

Scenery and sightseeing is not the only important draw for tourists, Ireland has recently become one of Europe’s top whale watching destinations. It is also an attractive destination for birdwatchers and outdoor activity enthusiasts.

Economically tourism is very important to Ireland. In 2006, 6.4 million tourists visited Ireland from overseas and the tourism industry was worth an overall €5.9 billion. These figures indicate the importance tourism plays as part of our overall economy not to mention the importance in terms of employment. Protecting Biodiversity ensures that this sector continues to enjoy success.

How does Tourism impact on Biodiversity?

While there are many good examples from around Ireland of how the tourism sector has been taking positive action on biodiversity, the sector similar to a lot of other economic activities can have a negative impact on biodiversity. For example:

• Poorly planned and sited tourism infrastructure;
• Stress on fragile ecosystems through poor visitor management;
• Habitat degradation through bad management of outdoor activities like hiking, angling, cycling etc are not managed properly;
• Provision of tourist facilities without due regard to the local biodiversity;
• Inappropriate visitor behaviour;
• Introduction of alien species;
• Lack of capacity for local infrastructure to manage the impact of seasonal influx.

Increased awareness and education, together with effective management, are necessary to protect our sensitive areas. This is where the Notice Nature campaign can help.

Good management of sensitive areas can minimise habitat damage

What is the sector doing to help biodiversity?

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Tourism is one of the sectors covered under the EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Under SEA, projects must consider the likely effects of their plans and programmes on the environment, so these impacts may be taken into account while the plans are being developed to ensure correct action can be taken in advance.

Fáilte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority works in strategic partnership with tourism interests to support the industry in its efforts to be more competitive and more profitable and to help individual enterprises to enhance their performance.

It was allocated funding under the Tourism Product Development Scheme 2002-2006 to develop the tourism product in a sustainable way that widens the spatial spread of tourism, diverts pressure from highly developed areas and increases under-performing Regions' share of overseas tourism revenue. Fáilte Ireland has recently established an environmental unit to promote sustainable tourism and have a specific remit to comment on planning applications. 

See Fáilte Ireland's recently published environmental action plan for tourism in Ireland - 'Tourism & the Environment'
 

Greenbox

The Greenbox is Ireland’s first integrated ecotourism destination. The area of the Greenbox includes Counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan.
The Greenbox is based on a set of standards of sound environmental practices highlighting all that the region and its people has to offer.

Wildlife Conservation officers on large estates (Hotels and Golf Clubs)

Many of the larger hotels and resorts around the country have employed wildlife conservation officers to ensure that the correct efforts are being taken to preserve and protect the habitats on the resorts. This is also the case for many golf courses.

Green walkways and development of Green Trails
The tourism industry has developed guidelines for creating green walkways and loop walks for tourists. They specify that the walkways should be managed in a sustainable way and must provide the user with a feeling of closeness with nature and a memorable experience. However the walkways must not intrude on sensitive areas or easily eroded areas.

How can Tourism Take Action on biodiversity?

• Create Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) - these plans are the most effective means of managing biodiversity. It can help you decide on your conservation priorities, and how to manage and monitor activities on your site. Good management will not only benefit the natural heritage but also the better and diverse the flora and fauna the more enjoyable the visitors experience. For how to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan click here.
  
• Ensure all visitors to your area are aware of how to behave especially in sensitive areas at particular times of the years to ensure local biodiversity is protected.
  
• Actively promote local biodiversity as part of your marketing strategy to develop a sense of appreciation and value e.g. produce a how to Notice Nature Guide for your local area including maps of local nature walks & trails and information on local species.
  
• Work with communities to use local knowledge to create awareness of the uniqueness of the local landscape. Work with local groups such as the Tidy Towns committee or local environmental groups to improve the area’s biodiversity which will benefit all involved.
  
• If you do not have any green area to enhance biodiversity on your site you could sponsor a local garden or local biodiversity initiative.
  
• Create habitats on your land using native species. Use the local natural heritage as part of the attraction to tourists. Work with the local authority to create awareness of local attractions such as woodlands and nature walks, encourage tourists and the local community to notice nature in the area.
  
• When developing an area, see the best way to work with the natural surroundings to develop the best for both your development and the natural heritage
  

• Advise tourists to clean their bags and boots and to throw out any food, plants and other natural material. These can carry pests or become invasive themselves when bought to another environment.                    

• Boaters and Anglers - Clean and dry your boat, fishing nets and angling equipment thoroughly before transporting it to a different water body. Wet angling gear can spread crayfish plague and collected water may contain seed or plant fragments from invasive alien species. See the Invasive Species Ireland guide for boat users – click here

   

Contact Us

If you are involved in conservation at your tourist attraction and would like to have your case study available on this website please email info@noticenature.ie

Further information

• Biodiversity Guidelines for the Tourism industry - Developed by Notice Nature and Failte Ireland
• Tourism & the Environment - Fáilte Ireland's Environmental Action Plan
• CGD guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development - From the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2000 these guidlines were drawn up. The guidelines are tools on practical implementation of the Convention and ways to help reach the 2010 (Countdown 2010) target.
• Countdown 2010 - target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010
• Greenbox and Ecotourism - A Simple user’s guide to Eco Tourism standards and certification Scheme for tourism enterprises in the Greenbox