Revised Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism Standards Redefine Industry Norms
Revised Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism Standards Redefine Industry Norms
Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN) is thrilled to announce the release of its revised Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism standards, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to wildlife tourism worldwide.
In response to growing global concerns about the impact of wildlife tourism on biodiversity and local communities, WFEN has undertaken a comprehensive review and revision of its Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism standards. The result is a set of streamlined and enhanced standards that set a new benchmark for excellence in wildlife tourism. The revised Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism Standards have been crafted through consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders, including conservation NGOs, local communities, researchers, tour operators, and management authorities.
Key updates to the standards include: (i) enhanced conservation criteria, placing a stronger emphasis on conservation efforts, including habitat protection, wildlife monitoring, and community engagement initiatives; (ii) ethical wildlife interactions, addressing concerns about animal welfare and exploitation; (iii) community benefits, recognizing the vital role of local communities in sustainable tourism, the revised standards require tourism operators to demonstrate tangible benefits to the communities where they operate, such as employment opportunities, capacity building, and support for local businesses; (iv) education and awareness, including requirements for visitor education and awareness initiatives to provide deeper understanding of the importance of conservation and responsible tourism practices; (v) transparency and accountability, ensuring the integrity of the certification process through robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
“We are thrilled to unveil the revised Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism standards, which represent a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable and responsible tourism practices,” said Christine Lippai, Executive Director at WFEN. “By raising the bar for excellence in wildlife tourism, we hope to inspire tourism operators around the world to prioritize conservation and responsible stewardship of our planet’s natural resources.”
One of the core goals of the revision was to reconfigure the incentive structure within the wildlife tourism industry, encouraging a transition towards more conscientious and sustainable tourism practices. These standards also aspire to empower tourists to play an active role in conservation endeavors and bring them in as key allies in wildlife conservation efforts. This inclusive approach ensures that the standards effectively capture the expectations and concerns of key stakeholders across the wildlife tourism landscape.
One of the core goals of the revision was to reconfigure the incentive structure within the wildlife tourism industry, encouraging a transition towards more conscientious and sustainable tourism practices. These standards also aspire to empower tourists to play an active role in conservation endeavors and bring them in as key allies in wildlife conservation efforts. This inclusive approach ensures that the standards effectively capture the expectations and concerns of key stakeholders across the wildlife tourism landscape.
The Certified Wildlife Friendly® Tourism standards and application forms are available in English and Spanish for adoption by tourism operators worldwide. For more information about the standards and how to become certified, please contact tourism@wildlifefriendly.org
