This book presents the lessons learned from 27 small scale projects that the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands supported between 2004 and 2006. Their experiences offer a valuable insight into the relationship between tourism and conservation; valuable for conservation projects as well as for tourism companies.
The Guiana Shield has 10-15% of the worlds freshwater reserves, a virtually uninterrupted stretch of 2.5 million km2 of tropical rainforests and biodiversity that exists only in this region. This region performs vital functions for the worlds climate, the regional hydrology and the preservation of biological capital. Revenue from tourism from visitors enjoying the wonders of the Guiana Shield should be a sizeable part of the economy. The industry must be developed respecting the nature and culture of the region, with the proceeds and employment distributed amongst stakeholders.
