Notification 2006-055

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision VII/14 the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development. In order to increase clarity and facilitate the detailed understanding of the guidelines and their implementation, the COP also requested the development of a user’s manual, checklists as well as a glossary and definition of terms used in the Guidelines. Further to this request, the Secretariat developed a first version of the user’s manual. Parties, other Governments, relevant international organizations and other stakeholders were invited to submit comments on this first version in June 2005 by notification 2005-072. Comments have been considered and the draft was substantially revised accordingly. I hereby invite Parties, other Governments, relevant international organizations and other stakeholders to submit written comments on the second version to the Secretariat by 2 October 2006. The draft user’s manual is available at: http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/socio-eco/tourism/review.shtml The draft user’s manual will be further improved in light of the comments received and the final version will be made available in due course. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, relevant international organizations and other stakeholders.