Making tourism a tool to fight poverty: ten years of

Transcription

1 Making tourism a tool to fight poverty: ten years of the ST-EP Initiative

2 CONTENTS

3 Introduction The ST-EP Initiative ST-EP projects worldwide Portfolio of ST-EP projects Making a difference on the ground Our partners

4 Introduction Foreword Tourism has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. With 1.2 billion international tourist arrivals in 2015, it contributes 10% of global GDP and one in every eleven jobs worldwide. Tourism is making substantial contributions to the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, with the generation of foreign exchange, investment, and linkages to other sectors as agriculture and fisheries; social, through job creation, specially for women, youth and minority groups; and, environmental, comprising the sustainable management and protection of natural and cultural environments. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is committed to make tourism a driver to fight poverty and build new opportunities for the least favored. The Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Initiative launched in 2002 brought together UN agencies, governments, donor agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to unite in a concerted effort to use tourism in actively combating poverty throughout the world. Since its launch, the Initiative has grown from strength to strength, building up a portfolio of some 120 projects in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. This work has only been possible thanks to the generous support of our partners: the Government of the Republic of Korea, instrumental in establishing the and contributing to many projects; the Government of Italy; the Netherlands Development Organisation (); the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID); the Government of Flanders; and, the Government of Macao, China. This report aims to share with all the work of the ST-EP Initiative over the past ten years. By disseminating the lessons learned, we hope to continue advancing our joint challenge of further enhancing the local benefits of tourism and ensuring that the sector can make a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals by Taleb Rifai Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

5 Message of the Chairperson of the Sustainable development and poverty reduction are among the greatest challenges the world is facing today. In 2002, UNWTO launched the Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Initiative at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Within the framework of this initiative, UNWTO and the Republic of Korea signed an agreement in 2004 to establish the ST-EP Foundation, located in Seoul, with the aim to develop and promote activities in the field of tourism and poverty reduction. Over the years, UNWTO and the have actively collaborated to roll-out ST-EP projects and capacity building activities in all regions of the world. With the positive experiences gained in the past decade, the will transform into the International ST-EP Organization, building upon the results achieved in the ST-EP Initiative and operating as an international knowledge management and project development center with the aim of promoting tourism as a driver for socio-economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability. Since its launch in 2002, the ST-EP Initiative has brought new opportunities for many around the world and has made a significant contribution to poverty reduction and sustainable tourism development. It is our joint ambition that once established, the International ST-EP Organization will continue working with UNWTO and its partners to further consolidate and expand the activities of the ST-EP Initiative. Dho Young-shim Chairperson of the

6 the st-ep initiative Tourism is one of the most viable and sustainable economic development options and the main source of foreign exchange earnings in many developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Today, international tourism accounts for as much as 6% of all exports in the 49 LDCs. Aware of the close relation between tourism and local economic development and committed to help enhance tourism s contribution to poverty alleviation, UNWTO launched the ST-EP (Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty) Initiative at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in The Initiative focuses on enhancing the Organization s longstanding work to encourage sustainable tourism social, economic and environmental with activities that specifically alleviate poverty, delivering development and jobs to people living on less than a dollar a day. Following the launch of ST-EP, activities concentrated primarily on awareness raising and resource mobilization. As a result, a number of important donors and development organisations offered their support to the initiative, including the Governments of the Republic of Korea; Italy; Macao, China; Flanders; and the Netherlands Development Organisation (). With the support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, the UNWTO was established and hosted in Seoul, as an international, non-profit umbrella body overseeing the ST-EP Initiative. Since its launch in 2002, the ST-EP Initiative has built up a portfolio of some 120 sustainable tourism projects in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, always in close collaboration with national tourism authorities, local governments, NGOs, development organizations and tourism enterprises in the beneficiary countries. Further, it has organized over 25 regional and national training seminars on tourism and poverty alleviation, with the participation of over 2000 officials.

7 Objective ST-EP Initiative: Reduce poverty levels through developing and promoting sustainable forms of tourism. UNWTO s commitment to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The ST-EP Initiative is one of the ways through which UNWTO aims to contribute to the SDGs The International ST-EP Organization In 2013, the 20th UNWTO General Assembly approved the transformation of the into a new international organization to be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea. The new Organization will build on the solid experience of the ST-EP Initiative, continuing to promote poverty alleviation through sustainable development projects, targeting the most disadvantaged groups of society. It is a common aim of UNWTO and the new International ST-EP Organization to further develop ST-EP as an inclusive initiative which is accessible to all UNWTO Members, and to continue collaborating with a wide range of partners to consolidate and expand the ST-EP activities and impact.

8 As of January 2017, some 120 ST-EP projects have been approved for implementation in 45 countries and 3 regional areas. 100 projects have been successfully completed. ST-EP Projects Worldwide AFRICA Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Ethiopia Gambia Ghana Guinea Kenya Lesotho Madagascar Mali Mozambique Namibia Niger Rwanda Senegal South Africa Southern Africa Tunisia Uganda United Republic of Tanzania West Africa Zambia Zimbabwe AMERICAS Bolivia Central America Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Haiti Honduras Nicaragua Peru ASIA Bhutan Cambodia China Lao PDR Nepal Mongolia Timor-Leste Viet Nam EUROPE Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina MIDDLE EAST Jordan Lebanon Yemen

9 Focus of st-ep PROJECTS Increasing local economic impact from tourism in selected destinations Providing business and financial services to micro, small, medium and community-based tourism enterprises Establishing business linkages between local producers and tourism enterprises Training of local guides, hotel employees and workers of connected sectors Facilitating the involvement of local people in tourism development around natural and cultural heritage sites THE 7 ST-EP MECHANISMS 1/ Employment of locals in tourism enterprises 2/ Supply of goods and services to tourism enterprises by locals or by enterprises employing the locals 3/ Direct sales of goods and services to visitors by locals 4/ Establishment and running of tourism enterpirses by locals 5/ Tax or levy on tourism income or profits with proceeds benefiting the community 6/ Voluntary giving or support by tourism enterprises and tourists 7/ Investment in infrastructure stimulated by tourism also benefiting the host community

10 Portfolio of st-ep projects Country / Region Full Title Principal Funding Source AFRICA Benin Promotion and development of Sustainable Tourism in the Buffer Zone of Park W Burkina Faso Development of a Community-based Tourism Complex in Bazoulé Sustainable Development of Tourism in the Town of Tambaga Province of Tapoa (Park W) Benin/ Burkina Faso/ Niger Development of Birdwatching Tourism in the Regional Park W Ramsar Swiss Fund for Africa Burundi Enhancing Participation of Youth and Women in the Tourism Sector Development of a Network for Promotion and Capacity Building for Running Bird Watching Tours Cameroon Ecotourism Development at Kribi Sustainable Community-based Tourism and Private Enterprise Development in Ebogo Chencha-Dorze Tourism and Handicrafts Development Project / Ethiopia Ecotourism Development in Bale Mountains National Park Konso Community Tourism Project Pro-Poor Tourism Business Linkages with Accommodation Providers Gambia Kartong Ecotourism Project Europamundo Foundation Development of Eco-Cultural Tourism in Butre and Dixcove Development of Local Market Linkages in Tourism Supply Chain and Community-based Tourism Enterprises Capacity for Poverty Reduction in the Western Region Ghana Savannaland Destination Tourism Programme / West Coast Tourism Destination Area Development Visitor facilities and services in the Nzulezu stilt Village: conservation of natural and cultural heritage of the site, and capacity building for local people KTO/ Guinea Ecotourism Development in Sangareah in the Dubreka Region Business Case for Wildlife Conservation in Kasigau Community IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation Enhanced Market-Access for Community-based Tourism Initiatives / Kenya Enhancement of Local Employment in Amboseli Tourism Destination through the Creation of a Pioneer Vocational Tourism Training School Mombasa Beach Management Planning IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation /Travel Foundation The Kitengela Footbridge Project Lesotho Rural Home Stays Development Madagascar Mali Development of Community-based Ecotourism in the Anjozorobe-Angavo Protected Area Creation of a Network for Responsible Tourism Expanding Ecotourism Activities: Agricultural Supply to Hotels in Sangha Expanding Ecotourism Activities: Ecotourism Promotion in Siby Expanding Ecotourism Activities: Guides Training in Mopti Expanding Ecotourism Activities: Guides Training in Djenné, Sangha and Siby Health Protection for Female Artisans in Djenné

11 Country / Region Mali Mozambique Namibia Niger Rwanda Senegal South Africa Full Title Supporting Women Entrepreneurs through Development of Handicrafts & Agrobusiness in Mopti Region Community-based Lodges Training Programme Supporting Platform for Inhambane ST-EP Tourism Initiatives Institutional Strengthening of the Municipal Authority of Maputo and Initiatives Fund for Women Entrepreneurs of Mafalala Vocational Training and SME Development in Maputo Human Resources and SME Development in Inhambane Training and Support for the Establishment of Small Tourism-related Businesses, especially for rural women in Namibia Initiatives Fund for Women Entrepreneurs Valorisation of Tourism in the Buffer Zone of Park W by the Establishment of Micro- Enterprises Guidelines for Community-based Tourism Congo-Nile Trails: Bringing Tourism to one of Africa s Poorest Regions Responsible Tourism promotion in Saint Louis and Louga Institutional Development for the Tourism Sector in the Region of Saint Louis and Louga Pro-Poor Tourism Leadership and Empowerment Training to Pondoland Community Trust Southern Africa Marketing Support for Community-based Tourism (RETOSA Network) Principal Funding Source AECID Govt. Flanders/ ST-EP Foundation / Banesto Foundation Govt. Flanders Govt. Flanders/ Government of Macao, China. AECID Banesto Foundation / Tunisia Image Campaign for Tourism KTO/ Uganda Accommodation facilities, local museum and excursions at the Kisiizi Falls KTO/ United Republic of Tanzania West Africa Zambia Zimbabwe Cultural Tourism Enhancement and Diversification Programme Initiatives Fund for Women Entrepreneurs of Pangani Pangani-Saadani Coastal Protection Uluguru Mountains Ecotourism Project Multidestination Marketing Programme for Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo Network of Cross Border National Parks and Protected Areas in 9 Countries: Benin, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone Village Action for Sustainable Tourism UNWTO General Assembly Park in the city of Livingstone Enhancing Participation of Youth and Women in Tourism UNWTO General Assembly Park in the city of Victoria Falls / Banesto Foundation IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation KOICA/ ST-EP Foundation KTO/ KTO/

12 Portfolio of st-ep projects Country / Region Full Title Principal Funding Source AMERICAS Improving of Local Guiding Services in San Javier and Concepción Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Rurrenabaque Bolivia Strengthening Rural Community-based Tourism and Commercial Management to Consolidate the Inca Trail (Qhapac-Ñan Project) / Strengthening Rural Community-based Tourism and Commercial Management to Consolidate the Inca Trail (Qhapac-Ñan Project) phase II EuropaMundo Foundation Central America Market Access for Rural Tourism SMEs in Central America Colombia Sustainable Community-based Tourism Development in Providence Island Costa Rica Access to Markets and New Technologies for Community-based tourism EuropaMundo Foundation Competitiveness and Enterprise Management for the Strengthening of Community- Based Tourism (FEPTCE Network) Fostering Rural Community-based Tourism and Inclusive Business within the Framework / of Effective Destination management along the Inca Trail (Qhapac-Ñan Project) Fostering Sustainable Tourism through Inclusive Businesses in Galapagos Islands / Ecuador Local Tourism Planning for the Consortium of Provincial Governments (CONCOPE) New Technologies for Communication and Competitiveness for Tourism Microenterprises (TIC Project) Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas Tourism Micro-Enterprises, Micro-Credit and Poverty Reduction (MET Project) Tourism, Poverty Reduction and the MDGs (PLANDETUR 2020) Strengthening Community-based Tourism Destinations in Quiché Guatemala The Coffee Route in Quiché and Verapaces (Phase I) The Coffee Route in Quiché and Verapaces (Phase II) Haiti Enhancing Local Economic Impact from Tourism Development in Jacmel Connecting Local Tourism Products and Services with the Marina Copán Hotel in Copán Ruinas / Honduras Establishing linkages between Garifunas Small Businesses at Bahía de Tela Sales Increase through the Innovation of Culinary Culture / Connecting Local Food Providers with Larger Entrepreneurs in Mainstream Destinations / Nicaragua Enhancing Rural and Community-based Tourism Initiatives in Masaya and Granada (RENITURAL) Strengthening Rural Community-based Tourism (RENITURAL Network) Volcano and Lake Route in Solentiname Knowledge Exchange on Community-based Rural Tourism Strengthening Rural Community-based Tourism in Aypate within the Framework of Effective Destination management along the Inca Trail (Qhapac-Ñan Project) / Peru Strengthening Rural Community-based Tourism in Puno within the Framework of Effective Destination Management along the Inca Trail (Qhapac-Ñan Project) / Sustainable Development for the Families of La Encantada Sustainable Tourism and Birdwatching at Luichupucro

13 Country / Region Full Title Principal Funding Source ASIA Bhutan Sustainable Tourism Law Enhancing the Mekong Discovery Trail (Phase IV) AECID Mekong River Dolphin Discovery Trail and Tourism Development Master Plan for Kratie Cambodia Town Mekong River Discovery Trail (Phases II & III) / Improving Community-based Ecotourism in Thala Barivat EuropaMundo Foundation China Tourism and Handicraft Production in Guizhou Province Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd Canopy Walkway and Zip Line: A new tourist attraction at Dong Hua Sao National Park IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation Capacity Building in Conservation Planning and Management in Viengxay District Tourism Planning and Promotion for Viengxay Caves Lao PDR Tourism Law Implementation Upgrading Local Facilities to Promote Community-based Elephant Tourism and Nature Conservation in the Hongsa District Village-based Tourism Development in Ban Kandone and Ban Tahin Voices of Viengxay IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation UNWTO Lao PDR/ Viet Nam/ Nepal Research on Multi-stakeholder Collaboration in Sustainable Tourism Nepal Great Himalaya Trail Development in West Nepal / / UNWTO Mongolia Capacity Building for Tourism Employees Government of Macao, Capacity Building for Tourism Employees in Dili Timor-Leste China/ Marketing of community-based ecotourism KTO/ Development of Handicraft Villages in Ha Tay Province Viet Nam Promoting Pro-poor Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation in Coastal Tam Giang Lagoon, Thua Thien, Hue Province Tourism Law Implementation IUCN-NL/ ST-EP Foundation EUROPE Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Korca Region Tourism Destination Development Management Programme Sustainable Tourism Legislation Adventure Park for children in nature, in the Olympic Centre of Jaharina / KTO/ MIDDLE EAST Jordan The Youth Career Initiative Lebanon Conservative Heritage and Increasing Economic Opportunities on the Lebanon Mountain Trail KTO/ Yemen Handicrafts, Heritage and Employment in the Highlands of Al Mahweet

14 TIMOR-LESTE Making a difference on the ground Mr. José Quintas, SE, BA (Hons), MRSEHS National Director of Tourism Marketing and International Relations Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Timor-Leste I do believe that the community-based ecotourism marketing strategy is very useful as guidance for promoting this product in Timor-Leste. The strategy has provided details of what stakeholders can do in order to showcase and manage community-based ecotourism successfully, and also provides a wide range of recommendations and action plans on how to improve the quality of enterprises before embarking upon the implementation of marketing and promotion activities. In Timor-Leste, unemployment is one of the Government s priorities that needs to be tackled in the short and medium term, so, this project will help the Government to equip young people with vocational skills to compete in the labor market. UNWTO, with the support from the Korea Tourism Organization and the ST-EP Foundation, implemented a ST-EP project in Timor-Leste to strengthen the marketing of community-based tourism in the country. As a new independent country with attractive natural and cultural resources, Timor-Leste witnesses a growing demand from international tourists, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is actively supporting the development of community-based tourism initiatives as part of the efforts to diversify the country s tourism product and enhance the local economic impact from tourism. LAO PEOPLE S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Na and Yai Villagers Ban Nong Luang Muan Paksong, Champasak Province Lao People s Democratic Republic In the past, the village s only work was in the coffee field. It was the only way to have an income. But now there s tourism as second income. Although it is not much, as we are still growing, this can help us to get a better life. We are so happy that there is tourism in our village. I am not the only one that is happy to have tourism. Others in my community work as chefs, cooking food for guests who come to visit the coffee fields. We also have homestay, and unique Laos massage, nuad phan bou han, that guests are happy to experience. Some of the guests buy our coffee as souvenir. A zip line and canopy walkway were established at Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area as the main component of this ST-EP project in Lao PDR. Thanks to the project, a growing number of local people, many of them coffee growers, were able to find other income generating and employment opportunities. The coffee industry has emerged as the fifth largest export for Laos. With an eye to the future and a deep appreciation for their environment while recognizing changing interests of tourists, this community in Champasak Province in Laos has turned their coffee plantations into tourist attractions, welcoming the zip line and canopy walkway adventurers into their homes.

15 TANZANIA Mama Anna Pallangyo Villager and Member of the Agape Women s Group Tanzania With the help of and the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in facilitating our promotion we finally received a first group of 20 tourists in the first quarter of Life has since grown in leaps and bounds; I have found a meaning in life and living, enabling me to pay for school fees for my three children up to university level, including building a new house, owning a motorcycle and a small car. From 2008 to 2014, UNWTO collaborated with the Tanzania Tourist Board to implement a ST-EP project to enhance and diversify the cultural tourism offer in Tanzania, and increase visitor spending and benefits for rural communities. The project was implemented with support from the and the Netherlands Development Organisation and built on earlier initiatives carried out by TTB and. Through successful marketing activities, the number of tourists visiting the cultural tourism enterprises, like the one managed by Mama Anna Pallangyo, grew from 35,000 in 2007 to 70,000 in KENYA Salli Felton CEO Travel Foundation (UK) If tourism is to deliver its promise of helping to reduce poverty and inequalities in developing countries, ideas and theories have to be put into action. The ST-EP Initiative allowed us to do this in partnership with the Kenya Coast and Tourism Association (KCTA), providing funding, expertise and other support for our Mombasa beach sellers project and then help with disseminating the findings. This partnership has helped the project to be adopted more widely in Mombasa and neighbouring destinations, increasing the impact of our work. In this ST-EP project, the Travel Foundation, the and UNWTO worked with the Mombasa North Coast Beach Operators (including safari guides, massage sellers, boat operators, photographers, Samburu warriors, community traders and curio sellers). The aim was to support the long term sustainability of tourism along the Kenyan coast through strengthening livelihoods for beach operators, improving their interaction with tourists. Following an assessment of the needs of the various beach operators, a curriculum was developed and 21 training workshops were rolled out to 573 beach operators. Training included topics such as tour guiding skills, relationship building with stakeholders and personal financial management. As a result of the project, beach operators have made agreements with seven hotels to sell their products inside the hotels, and exit surveys show the improved interaction between tourists and beach operators.

16 our Partners The generous financial and in-kind support of many partners from the public sector, private sector and civil society has been essential to make the ST-EP initiative a success. To plan and execute ST-EP activities, UNWTO established partnerships with the Governments of the Republic of Korea; Italy; Flanders; France; and Macao, China; as well as with the Netherlands Development Organisation (), the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID), Europamundo Foundation (Spain), Banesto Foundation (Spain), the Travel Foundation (UK), Tsingtao Breweries Ltd. (China), the Netherlands Committee of the World Conservation Union (IUCN-NL) and the Ramsar Swiss Fund for Africa. Alongside these partnerships, UNWTO is also collaborating with a wide range of government agencies, development organizations, educational and private sector entities that are making financial and technical contributions to individual ST-EP projects and other ST-EP activities.

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