Nature Positive Tourism

Abstract

The concept of nature positive, simply defined as a means of describing a world where nature is being restored and is regenerating, rather than declining, is attracting increasing attention in the tourism industry. With this in mind, this review paper outlines the current global nature crisis, presents the results of an Internet search of academic research and consultancy company reports on nature positive, summarises the World Travel and Tourism Council’s recent report on nature positive travel and tourism, and offers some critical reflections on nature positive tourism. The reflections focus on the concept of nature positive itself, the industry’s commitment to nature positive tourism and concerns about greenwashing, and the relationship between tourism and sustainable development, which might all be seen to call the nature positive tourism into question. Keywords: nature crisis, nature positive, nature positive tourism, tourism industry, sustainability