Resource Center

This report examines the impacts of COVID-19 on nature-based tourism – tourism that uses natural resources in a wild or undeveloped form for the purpose of enjoying undeveloped natural areas or wildlife. This includes both non-consumptive and consumptive tourism, including hunting. It also explores the recovery strategies for reopening safely and reestablishing a sustainable and resilient tourism sector. Geographically, the report considers the overall global situation, but delves deeper into African issues, concentrating on nature-based tourism taking place in protected areas and other areas of high biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. The reason for profiling Africa, in particular, is that wildlife tourism’s value is greater on this continent than any other. Africa has iconic wildlife destinations, diverse protected and conserved area systems, and support for local livelihoods is immersed in wildlife economies. However, conservation in Africa is threatened by funding shortages, habitat loss, fragmentation, encroachment, wildlife crime and climate change combined with poor governance and poverty. The report’s primary audience includes donors, policymakers and investors supporting nature-based tourism and protected and conserved areas. It will also be of interest to implementing agencies, community-based organisations and practitioners.