Nature-based tourism and nature protection: Quality standards for travelling in protected areas in the Alps

Abstract

Nature-based tourism is an important element of ecological and sustainable development in the Alps. A functioning quality management programme is essential to ensure high-quality nature-based tourism. The authors developed ten quality standards, differentiated by five quality-related criteria with associated indicators. Standards were developed by involving experts from all Alpine countries and using an Alpine-wide online survey; the standards were tested in six case studies. The quality standards are available to various destinations in the form of a checklist.