Tourism

"The ultimate objective of this Convention and any related legal instruments that the Conference of the Parties may adopt is to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner". Article 4 (e) is particularly relevant for integrated coastal zone management.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the international legal instrument for "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources"

"Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment". Chapter 17 refers to the protection of the oceans, all kind of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources.

The Convention defines principles regarding tourism ethic. It aims to "promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism through the implementation of ethical principles in tourism".

Act amending the Planning Act and the Nature Conservation Act (Protection of coastal areas). Defines rules for the spatial planning in coastal zones and mentions that touristic facilities must be located according to coherent policy considerations

Executive Order on conservation and game reserves in the Wadden Sea. It promotes the sustainable management of the Wadden Sea.

Executive Order on the Wadden Sea National Park. This act mentions that "the development of outdoor life and tourism must take place on a sustainable basis and in collaboration with the local population, the tourism industry".

Ports Act. It applies to ports used for commercial handling of goods, vehicles, persons and landings of fish (§ 1).

Museum Act. This Act aims "to secure cultural heritage and natural heritage in Denmark through the activities and collaboration of professionally sustainable museums and develop the significance of these in interaction with the world around us" (Chapter 10).

National Danish Tourism Strategy. It defines a framework for tourism in Denmark in 2025. This includes for instance the defintion of strategic focus areas for Danish tourism, attractive destinations. It develops on nature and outdoor tourism, cultural tourism, modern planning law, labor, education and innovation.

Executive Order on the Environmental Objectives etc. Act for International Nature Conservation Areas (Environmental Objectives Act).

Act on Investigation, Prevention and Remediation of Environmental Damage (Environmental Damage Act). This act aims to "ensure that the person responsible for an environmental damage or an imminent danger of an environmental damage prevents and remedies the damage or danger and bears all coasts for this". It applies pursuant to the envirwonmental protection act, the act on the protection for the marine environment, the law on watercourses, the law on nature protection, the law on forests, the law on raw materials and the rules laid down in accordance with the coastal protection act.

Executive Order on the designation and administration of international nature conservation areas and the protection of certain species

Business Promotion Act. Defines certain rules for the development of the tourism industry.

Promulgation of the law on environmental protection. It aims the general protection of the environment and defines a framework to reduce all types of pollutions.

Act on the Protection of the Marine Environment. It aims to protect to protect the marine environment against human threats including recreational activities.

Executive Order on regulation of non-commercial navigation in the territorial sea with personal watercraft, etc. and on local regulations on navigation at laid-out bathing areas during the bathing season.

Marine Strategy Act. This act aims to fight against pollution and loss of biodiversity originating from tourism and recreational activities

Danish Tourism Act.

Nature Conservation Act. Applies to some extent to touristic activities or facilties (campfire, caravans…)

Maritime Spatial Planning Act. It promotes sustainable tourism in order to develop marine areas.

Act on Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programs and of Specific Projects (EIA). The act applies to plans and programs which "requires an assessment of the impact on an international nature conservation area" (§ 2). Environmental assessment of plans and programs are mandatory in the field of tourism and spatial planning.

Planning Act. Permits may be granted for projects which can develop coastal and nature tourism

Sea Shipping Road Regulations (SeeSchStrO),regulates, among other things, navigating the fairway with kites, jet scouters, etc.

Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVPG). Applies to the construction of touristic facilities. A particular attention is given to Natura 2000 areas and National Parks. This act also covers the cross-border effects of projects.

Ordinance on navigating federal waterways in national parks in the area of ​​the North Sea. The navigation ordinance was issued for navigation in the waterways of the North Sea National Parks, which designates seal and bird protection areas and thus establishes area-specific regulations for water sports.

Ordinance on vocational training for tourism and leisure clerks. The training covers environmental protection.

Regional Planning Act. Aims the sustainable development of regions and activities. It also aims to preserve cultural landscapes including the UNESCO cultural and natural heritage of the world.

Law on nature conservation and landscape management (Federal Nature Conservation Act). This act aims to protect the diversity and recreational value of nature and landscape. This includes making accessible areas to the public. However, the act underlines that leisure activities must be compatible with nature and landscape.

Ordinance on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification Certified Tourism Specialist

Cornerstones of the Federal Government - Orientation framework for a
national tourism strategy

Environmental Conservation Law. Refers to activities which have impact on the environment including tourism and recreational activities?

Municipalities Act. Article 224 concerns a tourist tax.

Environmental Impact Assessment Decree. The construction, change or extension of marinas, holiday villages and hotel complexes, permanent camping and caravan sites are subjected to the environmental impact assessment.

Decree on limiting access to nature areas in the Wadden Sea and North Sea coastal zones. Limits the access to certain areas for recreational activities.

Environmental Management Activities Decree. Defines certain rules on marinas [Article 3.26i and following].

Wadden Sea Structural Vision. It includes the PKB Wadden Sea (Key National Planning Decision) regarding its binding aspects.Defines rules on the recreational activities which can be practiced in the Wadden Sea and forbids certain uses.

Environmental Law Decree. Establishes certain rules for the protection of the environment which apply to some extent to recreational facilities.

Decree on general spatial planning rules. Refers to the cultural and historical qualities of the Wadden Sea. It also forbids the construction of a new marine in thr Wadden Sea according to the zoning plan,

Nature Conservation Act. Establishes a legal framework for the protection of the environment in the Netherlands including the Natura 2000 areas.

Spatial Planning Act. Applies to the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone. Defines rules regarding zoning and integration plans.

Perspective Destination Netherlands 2030.

Decree on registration of tourist rental of living space. Defines rules on the registration of the tourist rental of housing.

Emvironmental management activities scheme. Applies to some extent to recreational activities (campsites, holiday homes, holiday camps)

In the NAKUWA-project a code of conduct for birdwatching in the Wadden Sea National Park was developed, describing nature-friendly and sustainable behavior during birdwatching activities.

The Wadden Sea Plan 2010 relates to some extent to tourism as an important activity for the Wadden Sea. This activity is essential and must be sustainable to reduce its impact on the environment.

"This joint strategy of sustainable tourism in the Dutch-German-Danish Wadden Sea World Heritage Destination invites all stakeholders to participate in its delivery. It describes and guides how stakeholders can actively contribute to and benefit from the aims of the World Heritage Convention in protecting the natural values of the Wadden Sea".