Tools and resources for nature-based tourism, 2nd edition
Doing it better: Resources for the resilient recovery of nature-based tourism, World Bank Global wildlife Program webinar, 13 December 2022
This was a presentation made, with Wendy Li of the World Bank, to introduce a launch event on the 2nd edition of ‘Tools and resources for nature-based tourism.’ The event also featured presentations by:
- Daniel Turner (ANIMONDIAL)
- Eliza Northrup (World Resources Institute)
- Chloe King (Solimar International)
- Carol Ritchie (EUROPARC Federation)
Access the presentation or the recording of the event.
Sharing benefits from tourism in protected areas with local communities: Options, challenges and recommendations
Strengthening Sharing of Benefits from Tourism with Local Communities, World Bank virtual event, 27 July 2022
This was a presentation made as part of a World Bank event on ‘Strengthening sharing of benefits from tourism with local communities’, which also featured presentations by:
- Vanice Mirembe Daawa, Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Phonesuck Inthavong, Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, Lao PDR
- Mayra Castellanos, Cerro Azul, Colombia
- William Alexander Rojas Melendez, Cerro Azul Puerta de Chiribiquete, Colombia
- Adam Thalhath, Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
- Shaha Hashim, Blue Marine Foundation
Access the presentation and webinar recording.

Event 1, Day 1
- Session 1: Biodiversity Conservation Financing through Sustainable Nature-Based Tourism – watch here
- Session 2: Visitors Count: Establishing the Economic Impacts of Tourism in Protected Areas – watch here
- Session 3: Sustainable Livelihoods and Human Health through Tourism – watch here
Entire recording of Event 1: click here
Event 2, Day 2
- Session 4: Visitation and Biodiversity Conservation in Protected Areas in Light of COVID-19 – watch here
- Session 5: The Resurgence of Overtourism in Protected Areas in Crisis Recovery – watch here
- Session 6: Sustainable Tourism Blueprints and Solutions – watch here
Recording of Event 2: click here
COVID-19 and tourism in developing countries: Needs, challenges & options
2021 ITB Convention, Berlin, ITB Tourism for Sustainable Tourism Track, 12 March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest, very powerful wake-up call about the links between environment, economy and human wellbeing. The tourism sector is one of those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. How to rebuild tourism so that it supports the shift towards more resilient and sustainable communities?
With this question in mind, UNEP brought together more than 350 participants from the wider European region and other parts of the world to discuss how to build back greener by applying principles of circularity, digitalization, innovation and cooperation. Tourism experts, representatives of European governments, tourism institutions and international organisations, NGOs, as well as academia shared their ideas and experiences on opportunities and challenges for a more sustainable tourism industry in a post-COVID scenario. The event provided an overview of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector and examples of aligning recovery plans and investments with a transition that meets the objectives of health and safety, sustainability, climate action and biodiversity protection. The speakers highlighted the importance of policy coherence and public-private partnerships, as well as innovation through digital transformation. Many solutions are available and can be efficiently used through close collaboration and coordination among destinations, businesses, the local communities, visitors, policy makers, as well as investors


Protected natural areas are an essential resource for health and well-being and are a strategic resource for overcoming the fragility of the territory as a defense and an opportunity for the country to restart. The conference will discuss with Federparchi and some Italian natural parks how the paradigms of nature conservation and sustainable territorial planning are essential in light of the changes that have occurred with the Covid-19 emergency. Tourism, an integrated policy of conservation and development and enhancement of the landscape, is an opportunity for the revitalization of natural parks and protected areas and of the territory in different contexts, both marginal and urban.
Access recording here (in Italian)
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on nature based tourism
Global Environment Facility Task Force meeting, 1 September 2020


The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nature-based tourism


World Trade Organization webinar, 11 June 2020
SPEAKERS:
• Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board
• Zoritsa Urosevic, Director, Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department, Special Representative to the United Nations in Geneva – World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• Anna Spenceley, Chair of IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group and Board Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
MODERATOR:
• Brendan Vickers, Adviser and Head of Section in the International Trade Policy Section, Commonwealth Secretariat

Tripadvisor Talk, 29 May 2020
Tripadvisor Talk is a weekly panel dialogue that invites leaders within the travel and hospitality industry to discuss, understand, and share insights into the world of travel in the post-COVID-19 era. We know people will travel again. So let’s talk about how, when, and where.