Humans and the rest of biodiversity are critically linked and interdependent. The need for the conservation of diversity of natural habitats and ecosystems on earth is supported by the United Nations through the development of a complete and well-managed network of protected areas by the year 2020 (CBD Aichi 2020 target 11). This goal is achievable with the support of tourism.
There is no other group of people in the world more interested in protected nature than tourists.
Most national parks would not exist, if tourists would not visit them.
The estimated sum of 30 Billion USD needed every year for the management of a global complete network of protected areas can be raised by tourism. It is only less than 0,5 % of the global tourism turn-over.
There are many good examples (LT&C examples) in the world, where tourism is supporting the establishment, development and management of protected areas by means of finances, education or political action.
It is therefore the specific task of LT&C to promote such good examples and find ways how others can learn from them.
There are many initiatives existing of sustainable, responsible and/or ecotourism that have potential to contribute to the specific mission of replicating LT&C examples worldwide. LT&C is neither competing with them nor copying those broader approaches but rather supporting them.
LT&C members work to increase examples of well-managed and tourism-supported protected areas. The beneficiaries are: nature, tourists and tourism, the management of national parks and other protected areas, local economies and societies as well as our members.