Regenerative nature-based tourism development

Nature-based tourism (NBT) plays a critical role globally in advancing biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. MSMEs are at the heart of this sector, providing eco-friendly and authentic experiences while fostering inclusive economic growth. 

Expertise France’s action focuses on Colombia, where NBT spans a wide range of ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest and the Andes to coastal and marine ecosystems, with family- and community-run MSMEs leading the sector’s development. Regenerative NBT offers significant opportunities for women, indigenous groups, and post-conflict communities, linking conservation with local livelihoods. Strengthening MSMEs and addressing barriers like weak market integration, uneven business capacities, and limited finance is key to Colombia’s regenerative nature-based tourism development.

By combining ecological stewardship with economic opportunity, regenerative NBT can deliver sustainable and equitable benefits for communities and ecosystems alike.

The project to develop regenerative nature-based tourism has two main objectives: 

• To improve the long-term environmental and business performance of regenerative MSMEs in the tourism sector, particularly focusing on micro and small enterprises owned and operated by women, entrepreneurs or groups living adjacent to protected areas rich in biodiversity.
• To strengthen the enabling business environment for regenerative MSMEs in the tourism sector, with reduced inequalities and enhanced integration into global nature-based tourism value chains.

The pilot project aims to design a robust methodology and generate knowledge that can be replicated in other contexts to strengthen the regenerative NBT value chain. The Global Mechanism provides a coherent methodological framework that ensures consistency across regions while remaining adaptable to local contexts.

The project is based on three major outputs.

1. Equipping NBT MSMEs with appropriate skills

NBT MSMEs often lack essential skills in sustainability and business management to achieve lasting positive impacts, become more resilient and scale their operations.

We will: 

• Strengthen the capacities of Business Support Organisations (BSOs)—including tourism chambers, cooperatives, incubators, and professional associations—to provide high-quality business development services to NBT-focused MSMEs.
• Provide targeted technical assistance to NBT enterprises to enhance business models, investment readiness, environmental sustainability (including biodiversity conservation), and scaling potential.

2. Testing financial mechanisms to support targeted MSMEs

Targeted NBT MSMEs face significant challenges in accessing funding to develop, consolidate and scale their projects. 

We will:

• Facilitate dialogue between MSMEs and financial institutions by clarifying financial institutions requirements and expectations to MSMEs and familiarising them with the opportunities and specifics of nature-based tourism business models.
• Set up a grant facility to finance selected MSMEs.
• Test and adapt existing financial mechanisms with partner financial institutions to assess and improve support tailored to the needs of NBT MSMEs.

3. Improving MSME integration into markets and NBT visibility

NBT MSMEs often face structural barriers that limit their visibility, competitiveness and integration into tourism value chains. 

We will:

• Strengthen business linkages and market connections by organizing and facilitating networking and matchmaking events to connect NBT MSMEs with key actors across the tourism value chain, including European tour operators.
• Promote regenerative NBT experiences, itineraries, and destinations through targeted promotional campaigns that showcase the unique value of regenerative NBT in each pilot area, emphasising high-value, low-impact experiences rooted in biodiversity, culture, and community engagement.