Mountains are important tourism destinations worldwide and attract visitors for their scenic beauty, sports attractions and rich cultural heritage. Tourism represents a source of income and economic opportunities for remote rural mountain communities. It can also help to revitalize local traditions and food systems.

However, tourism is also associated with potentially negative impacts on ecosystems, such as pollution and biodiversity loss, as well as on the social and cultural fabric of mountain communities. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in mountain destinations, with impacts that include a reduction in periods of snow cover and an increase in the risk of extreme weather events.

The fragility of the natural, social and cultural heritage that is inherent to mountain regions determines the competitiveness and quality of tourism initiatives offered in mountains. A sustainable approach to mountain tourism in all countries is therefore imperative, in order to promote long-term growth, while maintaining a balanced use of resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all levels of the tourism value chain, including both supply and demand. Its impacts are reshaping the tourism sector and redefining tourism products and services.

The post-COVID-19 era may bring new opportunities to mountain areas, as demand grows for less crowded destinations and the need to reconnect with open spaces and nature increases. The increased digitalization associated with the COVID-19 crisis also provides an opportunity to attract remote workers and digital nomads, contributing to local development and helping to reverse population decline.

Specific challenges for tourism development in mountain areas include health and safety issues, as well as crisis management, since natural or man-made hazards such as floods, landslides, earthquakes and conflicts can interrupt access and services for months or years, destroy assets and put the life of tourists at risk.

In developing mountain tourism, it is critical to generate income diversification and revitalize products and services, with a shift from high-impact tourism products and activities to low-impact, climate-sensitive ones. New and innovative products can transform mountain areas into attractive tourist destinations, particularly for the shoulder season. Among the many possibilities
are gastronomy tourism, community-based tourism, spiritual tourism, wellness tourism, rural tourism, agritourism and cultural tourism.

The case studies featured in this publication highlight solutions being implemented or tested in mountain regions around the world. Many have involved rethinking tourist initiatives or creating new opportunities, and all of them seek to bring tangible benefits to local communities, while helping to enhance the conservation of the unique mountain heritage.

The reports recommends the following actions:

• Promote climate-sensitive, low-impact tourism in mountains.

• Monitor tourism in mountains and its impact to better manage resources

• and waste produced, respecting destinations’ carrying capacity.

• Empower mountain communities to take the lead in tourism development.

• Strengthen public-private partnerships to innovate and develop year-round tourist offerings.

• Invest in infrastructure in remote mountain regions, particularly in the digitalization of tourism services.