Nature Positive Travel

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/23/travel/nature-positive-tourism-world-travel-and-tourism-council.html

In the wake of the U.N. biodiversity conference, Julia Simpson, head of the World Travel and Tourism Council (W.T.T.C.), highlights the concept of "nature positive travel," a new initiative focusing on travel that supports and protects nature. The W.T.T.C.'s report, endorsed by the U.N. Biodiversity Conference and the World Commission on Protected Areas, underscores the alarming rate of species extinction and advocates for biodiversity awareness among travelers, auditing of travel companies for their environmental impact, collaboration with local communities, and investment in species protection and habitat reconstruction. Simpson emphasizes nature positive tourism as a practical guide for the industry to both encourage biodiversity and await more effective solutions for decarbonizing travel. The approach involves reconnecting people with nature, supporting sustainable value chains, and encouraging travelers to be conscious and proactive in their travel choices, such as questioning hotel practices and reducing waste. This initiative reflects a shift from merely reducing environmental footprints to actively improving ecosystems and integrating sustainability into all aspects of travel and tourism.