Challenges and Opportunities for Nature- Based Tourism By Dr Geoffrey Manyara

Transcription

1 Challenges and Opportunities for Nature- Based Tourism By Dr Geoffrey Manyara

2 PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS Introduction Methodology Historical Perspective of Nature-Based tourism development in Eastern Africa Nature-based tourism development challenges in Eastern Africa Nature-based tourism development opportunities in Eastern Africa Conclusions and Recommendations

3 Introduction Globally tourism is growing rapidly - international tourist arrivals in 1950 only 25 million and currently 983 million and 1.6 billion by 2020 Developed and developing worlds are now turning to tourism AU/NEPAD Tourism Action Plan for Africa further highlights the importance of the industry in the continent Nonetheless Eastern Africa is yet to realise industry s full potential due to challenges. Aim of presentation - To highlight the challenges and opportunities for sustainable nature-based tourism development in the Eastern Africa region.

4 Methodology This presentation builds on both primary and secondary data sources is based on ongoing work at UNECA SRO- EA. Critical review of literature related to nature-based tourism, economic development, conservation, community involvement etc Primary data is based on interactions with industry stakeholders including government officials, civil society, academic and private sector representatives drawn from the Eastern Africa using in-depth semistructured interviews.

5 2011 Tourism GDP and Employment in EA (WTTC, 2012) GDP Total Employment % USD (million) % No. Employed Burundi Comoros DRC Ethiopia million Kenya Madagascar Rwanda Seychelles Tanzania million Uganda

6 Historical Perspective of Nature-based tourism in EA Development of nature-based tourism in EA arguably rooted in the colonial era from the early 1900s. Colonial legislation created national parks and reserves e.g. Nairobi (1946), Tsavo (1948), Mt Kenya (1949), Serengeti (1951) etc, limited access of indigenous communities to protected areas e.g. banned the use of snares, spears etc to hunt Postcolonial national parks and reserves developed into key tourist attractions targeting the Western markets. Conservation efforts mainly driven organisations e.g. AWF, WWF, IUCN under programmes e.g. COBRA supported by USAID, CBNRM of which CAMPFIRE is a strand, CORE Perspective enables an understanding of current challenges and opportunities hence Conference very relevant and timely

7 Nature-based tourism challenges in EA Heavy dependence on nature-based tourism due core-periphery relationships and the myth of the uncivilised Overdevelopment of protected areas for tourism development Human encroachment and traditional lifestyles Human-wildlife conflicts exacerbated by climate change issues Lack of adequate benefits for local communities Tourism development concepts not adapted to local realities Certification schemes that do not reflect realities on the ground best practice awards Lack of effective policies, legislation and regulation Conflicting development in the region relating to natural resource management e.g. Serengeti issue, Lake Turkana issue

8 Global Ranking of select EA countries - tourism regulatory framework for environmental sustainability (WEF, 2011) Overall ranking Stringen cy of environ mental regulati on Enforce ment of environ mental regulati on Sustaina bility of tourism industry Threate ned species Environ mental treaty ratificati on Burundi Ethiopia Kenya Madaga scar Rwanda Tanzania Uganda

9 Nature-based tourism Opportunities in EA Unique natural resource endowment in the region Global Natural Resource ranking for select EA Countries (WEF, 2011) Overall ranking No. Of World Heritage Natural sites Protected areas Quality of Natural Environment Total known species Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Tanzania Uganda

10 Nature-based tourism Opportunities in EA Emerging markets domestic, regional and international Indigenous knowledge and conservation Mitigation climate change Alternative tourism product development e.g. Opportunities provided by private and community owned conserved areas (conservancies) New opportunities for cooperate marketing e.g. KQ marathon in Mara, Safaricom in Lewa, Rhino Charge etc Promotion of regional integration through management of cross-border resources Opportunities to exploit arid and semi arid lands (ASAL ) for socio-economic development

11 Conclusions and recommendations Involve and empower indigenous communities/enterprises e.g. through mainstream tourism marketing etc Enhance the role of research and development Take advantage of emerging regional and national tourism product development and market opportunities Need to formulate appropriate policies regional framework for tourism development e.g. to support the establishment and management of conservancies Need for Pan-African tourism development agenda e.g. the AU/NEPAD Tourism action plan for Africa

12 Thank you! Asante sana!