Biodiversity in Tourism: Industry project delivers initial key findings

Structured analysis process as a foundation

The project began with a comprehensive analysis process – one of the six necessary steps for the strategic consideration and integration of biodiversity into tourism.

The following sub-analyses were conducted as part of this analysis process:

• Stakeholder Mapping to identify relevant internal and external stakeholders – both for the subsequent implementation of measures and for the expert validation of the results.

• Value Chain Mapping and Analysis: Detailed analysis of the value chains of tourism service providers. In addition to the core business, the focus was particularly on upstream and downstream activities such as arrival, local mobility, and supply chains. The aim was to systematically record both negative impacts on biodiversity and opportunities for positive influence.

• Materiality Screening: Transfer of the identified impacts from the value chain analysis. From a comprehensive longlist of relevant topics, a shortlist of particularly significant impacts was created through evaluation and prioritization.
  

Key Impacts Along the Value Chain

The following were identified as particularly significant impacts of tourism activities along the value chain:

• Greenhouse gas emissions from activities both directly and indirectly related to tourism

• Land, water, and air pollution, including microplastics

• Exploitation of natural resources and destruction of ecosystems

• Water and land use impacts from tourism infrastructure and activities

• Risks from the introduction of invasive species

Hotspot Analyses and Next Steps

In addition, hotspot analyses were conducted using the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter. These analyses help identify destinations where biodiversity-related risks from tourism activities are particularly high and should be addressed as a priority.

The project team is currently working on developing an action plan and a biodiversity strategy with a clear vision, objectives, and measures. All results from the analysis steps will be incorporated into a practical template. Initial key results of the project will be presented at ITB 2026.

With this industry project, Futouris and its partners are sending a strong message: biodiversity protection is moving from an abstract aspiration to concrete entrepreneurial practice.