Naturnaher Tourismus

Nature-based tourism is an important element of ecologically sustainable development in the Alpine region. In its various facets and forms, it supports nature conservation, cultural preservation, and landscape development. Good examples show that successful nature-based tourism can provide jobs and regional value creation for the local population. To ensure a high quality of nature-based tourism, a functioning quality management system is essential. The authors present ten standards that cover aspects such as nature protection, landscape care, good architecture, spatial planning, and product development, as well as nature-based marketing and environmental education in tourism. These quality standards were developed with the involvement of experts from six Alpine countries and were validated through case studies in five regions and with a tour operator active across the Alps. As a result, a checklist for nature-based tourism in the Alps has been created. This provides destination and regional stakeholders with a tool to reflect on and further develop their work. Furthermore, the presented quality standards contribute to the discussion about the future of tourism and sustainable regional development in the Alps.