Protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change are increasingly urgent priorities for the tourism sector. Yet many tourism businesses are unsure where to begin or how to translate these commitments into practical action.

As part of our collaboration with easyJet holidays, and in partnership with Animondial, the Planeterra Nature-Positive Community Tourism Assessment tool was developed to help tourism businesses better understand their environmental impact and identify meaningful ways to support nature and communities.

Rather than focusing on a single aspect of sustainability, the tool takes a holistic view of tourism operations, recognizing that environmental impacts can occur across the entire visitor experience, from how accommodations are designed to how food is sourced, how activities are managed, and how transportation is organized.

By providing a structured framework, the tool helps tourism enterprises identify opportunities to improve their environmental footprint while supporting biodiversity protection.

A framework for responsible tourism operations

The Planeterra Nature-Positive Community Tourism Assessment tool encourages tourism enterprises to evaluate their practices across several key areas.

Governance and environmental responsibility
Responsible tourism begins with strong governance. The tool encourages businesses to comply with environmental regulations, support transparent and ethical procurement practices, and invest in training that raises awareness among staff and travellers about protecting nature.

It also emphasizes the importance of inclusive and equitable decision-making, ensuring that Indigenous peoples and local communities are respected as knowledge holders and stewards of the lands and ecosystems where tourism takes place.

Accommodation and infrastructure
Tourism infrastructure can have significant impacts on local ecosystems. The tool encourages accommodation providers to adopt practices that minimise disturbance to wildlife, reduce pollution, conserve water and energy, and integrate landscaping that supports local biodiversity.

Food sourcing and waste reduction
Food systems are closely linked to environmental health. The framework encourages businesses to prioritize local and seasonal ingredients, reduce food waste, avoid harmful chemicals in agriculture, and maintain transparency in their supply chains. These practices can support sustainable agriculture and strengthen local food systems.

Transportation and emissions
Transportation is a significant contributor to tourism’s environmental footprint. The tool highlights ways tourism providers can reduce emissions, such as monitoring transport-related impacts, promoting fuel-efficient driving practices, and minimizing disturbance to wildlife during transportation activities.

Activities and visitor experiences
Tourism activities themselves can either support or harm ecosystems. The framework promotes responsible guiding, wildlife-friendly experiences, and practices such as Leave No Trace principles to help ensure that tourism experiences respect natural habitats.

Local crafts and natural resources
Many community tourism enterprises also produce handicrafts or use local natural materials. The tool encourages responsible sourcing of natural resources and awareness of how these materials are shared and managed within local communities.

Supporting community leadership

A key principle of the Planeterra Nature-Positive Community Tourism Assessment tool is recognizing the role of Indigenous peoples and local communities as stewards of biodiversity.

Many communities have long managed forests, landscapes, and natural resources through practices shaped by generations of knowledge. Supporting these approaches is essential for protecting ecosystems and sustaining cultural landscapes.

The framework therefore encourages tourism enterprises to respect traditional knowledge, acknowledge land and resource rights, and support community-led conservation initiatives.

From awareness to action

Ultimately, the Planeterra Nature-Positive Community Tourism Assessment Tool is a practical guide for Community Tourism Enterprises to take meaningful action. It helps companies identify concrete ways to protect ecosystems, reduce environmental impacts, and support community-led initiatives that protect, restore and celebrate nature. 

By using this tool, tourism can contribute not only to economic development but also to the long-term regeneration of the natural environments that make travel possible.

Join the Global Community Tourism Network, a network of over 550 community tourism enterprises located in 86 countries.

Reach out if you are a travel company wanting to integrate community tourism-driven projects that protect and restore Nature, and uplift communities.

Champion community-centric approaches to addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis, using travel as a tool to achieve this.