Theme A ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA : THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE

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1 Theme A STATEMENT BY MR. PHILEMON L. LUHANJO, PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM-TANZANIA, AT THE SUMMIT OF CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM, QUEBEC CANADA, MAY Mr. Last name: LUHANJO First name: PHILEMON LUTANGILO Official title : PERMANENT SECRETARY Organization : MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & TOURISM Address : P.O.Box 9372 City : DAR ES SALAAM Country : TANZANIA Telephone (country code, area code, telephone) : Fax (country code, area code, fax number): fordev@africaonline.co.tz ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA : THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE ABSTRACT: Tanzania endorses Eco-tourism as tourism that puts the principles of sustainable development, as set out in the Rio declaration. In recognition of the significance of Eco-tourism to national development agenda, we have embarked on some major policy reforms aimed at promoting local community participation and economic empowerment in Eco-tourism activities. Eco-tourism planning is now on the making at various local levels and fronts in the country and we have started implementing Ecotourism development strategies on various fronts, particularly on nature, marine and cultural based tourism. The challenges experienced in Tanzania Eco-tourism promotion at local and national planning levels include the scope of mitigation measures for Eco-tourism to marry free International trade with poverty reduction while conserving the environment. To many developing countries, Eco-tourism represents a real springboard for economic development if local, global trade and Eco-tourism policies are reformed to support sustainable management of the Eco-tourism resources. The declaration of the International Year of Eco-tourism (IYE) therefore, is a challenge and opportunity not only for Tanzania, but also to all developing nations on the efficiency of harnessing the

2 economics of Eco-tourism contribution towards urban and rural poverty reduction. 2

3 The Chairperson, The Under Secretary General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program Klaus Toepfer, The Secretary General World Tourism Organization Francesco Frangialli, Executive Vice-President and CEO Canadian Tourism Commission, Minister Responsible for Youth, Tourism, Recreation and Sport Quebec Provincial Government, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. Like sustainable development, the term Ecotourism has received attention in recent years. Yet considerable debate remains over the meaning of the concept. In some regions, standards and codes of ethics have been produced to define the types of tourism deemed ecologically acceptable with an emphasis on nature tourism. Other suggests that eco one of a marketing tool with the emphasis remaining economic. While any definition remains subjective, it is suggested that ecotourism differ from other forms of tourism through its use of education-based management processes that not only inform the visitors but actually force changes in the behaviour and life styles of tourists. In addition it goes beyond attempts to merely minimise environment disturbances or degradation by demanding the residents and visitors act responsibly to ensure the long-term health and viability of the environment. There are also elements of tangible benefits accrued to local communities residing along eco-tourism sites in form of employment creation and part of the income generated from such undertaking remain to finance community development projects and environmental protection. 3

4 A number of organisations including United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) have undertaken work on ecotourism, its environment effects, and to a lesser extent on the implications of ecotourism for sustainable development. Some of these groups have presented guidance for sustainable tourism based on their work. Based on the survey of guidelines for ecotourism development, the elements of ecotourism which are most frequently cited include: Putting sustainable development into practice in the development, management and integration of ecotourism with the wider economy, society and the environment; Protecting biodiversity, the environment and natural resources; Including the participation of all stakeholders, and in particular, local communities in ecotourism; and ensuring that local communities have an equitable share in benefits resulting from ecotourism; Citing ecotourism operations and development appropriately to avoid damage to biodiversity and the environment; Operating within the capacities of the environment, and of available infrastructure; and Using resources efficiently, and preventing pollution and waste. We in Tanzania endorse Ecotourism as tourism that puts the principles of sustainable development, as set out in the Rio Declaration, into practice in all aspects of its operation and development. Our experience in this area shows that, ecotourism is an important tool towards achieving sustainable tourism development and can significantly contribute to poverty reduction initiatives. As such, it promotes a dual structure that enables people to maintain rural 4

5 practices and traditions through the production of goods and services, while expanding the environmental stewardship they have always provided. In this manner, the concern for biodiversity, in its broadest sense, encompasses not only threatened flora and fauna, but also the survivability and self-sufficiency of these local communities as stewards of the natural environment and producers dependent upon the resources it contains. In recognition of the significance of ecotourism to national development agenda, the Government of Tanzania has recently revised its national tourism policy and did accommodate the landmark principles for ecotourism development as summarized by WTO and UNEP. The tourism policy foresees tangible benefits to the people s livelihood and the national economy in general, explicitly poverty reduction through encouraging development of sustainable and quality tourism (high yield low volume). Our Government has undertaken some major national policy reforms aimed at promoting local community participation and economic empowerment in ecotourism activities. This had helped to forge links with local communities in developing more informed choices like cultural tourism and community private sector partnerships. We are now witnessing a positive move by the private sector initiative in investing in the development of visitor facilities in the village lands under mutually agreed terms between villagers and investors. This has broadened the ecotourism activities and opened more avenues for income generation opportunities for the economically disadvantaged rural communities. Ecotourism planning is now on the making at various local levels and fronts in Tanzania and we have started implementing ecotourism development strategies on various fronts, particularly on nature, marine and cultural-based tourism. 5

6 Small benefits are starting to trickle in some local communities, initiating a dual structure that shall enable people to continue their rural practices and traditions in the production of goods and services, whilst expanding the environment stewardship. As stewards to the natural environment, involvement of local communities in the planning and development process of ecotourism in their localities is a must. In this regard my government has been promoting community based tourism ventures and other income generating activities related to ecotourism around most national protected areas network, as a strategy to alleviate poverty and sustain tourism development. Ecotourism initiatives are more pronounced in most wildlife parks in partnerships with the private sector, local government councils as well Non Governmental Organisations (NGO s). Based on this little experience some salient facts have been gained on how to sustain and broaden ecotourism benefits amongst local communities. Establishment of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) adjacent to wildlife protected areas network, is a triumph for local ecotourism initiatives in empowering communities to plan and manage their own natural resources in a more holistic format for their own economics emancipation. The development of participatory ecotourism and investments guidelines therefore will help to implement the national ecotourism strategy and consolidate our efforts to sustain tourism development in our country. However, we are more challenged now to hasten further detailed surveys, harmonise and implement all significant ecotourism resources plan in light of the contemporary local and national socio-economic emerging opportunities. The government believes and supports the fact that community based ecotourism programs shall in the long run sustain a consistent reduction of poverty tendencies and disparity in income distribution, whilst conserving and protecting the fragile environment. 6

7 The challenge experienced by Tanzania Ecotourism vision and promotion at local and national planning levels, is scope of mitigation measures for ecotourism to marry free international trade with reducing poverty and protecting the environment. Ecotourism represent to many developing countries a real springboard for economic development if local and global trade and ecotourism policies are reformed to support sustainable management of the ecotourism resources. The declaration of the International Year of Ecotourism (IYE) therefore is a challenge and opportunity not only for Tanzania, but also to all developing nations on the efficiency of harnessing the economics of ecotourism contribution for sustainable development. The role and price of ecotourism products is not entirely recognized in most of our countries. I anticipate constructive enlightenment during this important forum on the pricing appropriateness of ecotourism products. Tanzania government concedes the International Year of Ecotourism (IYE) significance and the sustainability challenge of harnessing her hidden vast and fragile ecotourism treasures for the sustainable benefit of the majority of our people. Albeit, ecotourism is a sensitive product, both on environment, culture and economics paradigms, strict safeguards must be in place prior of implementing any ecotourism projects to avoid long-term negative impacts from uncontrolled ecotourism investments. We shall always thrive in the international cooperation for sharing experiences and challenges of a dynamic and unstable ecotourism sustainability paradigm. I thank you for your attention. 7