Ecologically sensitive areas are areas where natural resources are critically endangered by physical changes, for example coral reefs, coastal areas and, high biodiversity inland areas. In such areas the following three basic principles of the Convention on Biodiversity apply:
Many sensitive areas have a high tourism attraction because of their exceptional features such as high aesthetic landscape or unique ecological value. As such areas hold the main assets on which the tourism industry depends, conservation is a must.
UNEP strongly believes that tourism can make a contribution to their protection in various ways. For example through financial contributions, provision of environmental infrastructure, improved management, awareness raising and education on tourist behavior in a natural environment, and by the creation of protected areas, national parks, cultural and natural sites.
For further information sources on the relations ship between tourism and sensitive areas please refer to:
UNEP.net, provides environmental information and compile information from different scientific institutions to develop comprehensive solutions to specific environmental challenges.
Background information on the subject can also be found with the Convention on Biological Diversity, The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
Publications
"Awards for Improving coastal environment" (Blue Flag), a publication by UNEP, the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO).