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A global perspective on trends in nature-based tourism
Andrew Balmford1, James Beresford, Jonathan Green
1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. a.balmford@zoo.cam.ac.uk
Plos Biology
|July 1, 2009
Summary
Nature-based tourism is growing globally, despite declines in the US and Japan. This trend offers potential for conservation funding and shaping environmental attitudes worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Growing nature-based tourism supports biodiversity conservation economically.
- Concerns exist about increasing human isolation from nature.
- Recent studies show declining per capita visits to natural areas in the US and Japan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global prevalence of declining nature-based recreation.
- To analyze temporal trends in visitor numbers at protected areas worldwide.
Main Methods:
- Examined visitor numbers at 280 protected areas across 20 countries.
- Analyzed temporal trends in total and per capita visitation rates.
- Correlated visitation trends with national population growth and wealth.
Main Results:
- Protected area visitation is declining in the US and Japan but increasing in most other countries.
- Total visitor numbers are growing in 15 of 20 countries studied.
- Visitation growth is not linked to population growth but negatively associated with national wealth.
Conclusions:
- Nature-based tourism is not declining universally; it shows global growth potential.
- Declines in wealthy nations may mirror broader international tourism trends, not necessarily nature disaffection.
- Nature tourism remains a vital tool for conservation funding and fostering environmental awareness.
