Arusha, 16 th Octobre 2012 GABON DESIGNED BY NATURE First Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Tourism Management in National Parks and Protected Areas: Wildlife watching, Challenges and Opportunities for Gabon 1
GABON, Unique Potential For Sustainable Tourism in Naturally Forested Ecosystems 88% of country covered by tropical forests 850 km of coastline Diversity of ecosystems forests, marine, beaches, lagoons, estuaries, mountains, Vast network of 13 National Parks (11% of the Gabon) Tropical climate No legacy safari tourism issues to incorporate 2
The 13 National Parks of Gabon 3
A new vision for Gabon : President Ali Bongo Ondimba Elected in 2009 on a social and sustainable development platform Strong will to reform the country and mind-sets Green Gabon, one of the pillars of the new policy National Parks, the strategic tool for Green Gabon, key of Ali Bongo Ondimba s policy The tourism development chosen in the NP managed by ANPN (Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux) Role of Annie Blondel as Presidential Advisor, posted to ANPN 4
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The Green Gabon Ecotourism, the visible part of the Green Gabon strategy Make sustainable profits from protected ecosystems Orientate and drive the investments to promote a green economy Gabon, international leader for innovative environmental new law and new codes New national organization, a Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Raise funds to finance conservation through sustainable development 6
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Gabon s Eco-tourism Strategy a blank page some problems but many opportunities Gabon has limited eco-tourism experience The majority of Gabon s visitors are historically business visitors or family visits The Visa system is a handicap and is being reformed High end ecotourism, the Gabon conservation strategy The niche market strategy, Gabon as a jewel for discerning travellers Has to be the future in the present a visionary approach 8
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The direct benefits of geo-tourism Develop an underexploited economic sector Low impact and high value approach Create rural employment Development of remote area, anchor the local population The presence of operators and NP agents in the Parks makes life difficult for poachers A tool to support the conservation ground operations Expose the countries opportunities to high network visitors 10
National Parks in Gabon: Young and strategic tool for Gabon s development Announced in 2002 and created definitively in 2007 by former president Organization of NP management started in 2007 with creation of ANPN 1st Obligation: Protect and Manage the biodiversity 2nd Obligation: Create a favourable climate for investors Concession agreement with private investors 1 NP management plan per NP Learn from the experience of other countries Use the best practises from safari countries for ecotourism development 11
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Game viewing: A key piece in the ecotourism puzzle Gabon, largest forest elephant population Unique and preserved primate and great ape diversity Most viewing species not found in traditional safari areas Viewing of large animals on or from beaches Green tourism or not, international visitors want to see animals Gabon tourism does not compete with traditional safari experiences Habituation, the only way to watch Gorillas and Chimpanzees Fight against poaching gives 2 immediate benefits : decrease mortality of endanger species and increase animal watching potential 13
PROCOBHA: an example of habituation strategy Moukalaba Doudou National park, the Forest NP Association of Univesity of Kyoto + the Cenarest More than 3 continuous years of presence in the tropical dense forest, Takes years before tourism can watch primates Local knowledge essential to guarantee the delivery of experiences Eco-tourism can work well with research into primates 15
LOANGO, the pilot National Park Loango as some unique attributes An Eden between ocean, tropical dense forests and vast lagoons Habituation and research institute (Max Planck Institute) Animal watching during ocean and lagoon cruises Aerial (suspended) or fluvial infrastructures, an efficient and quiet way for animal watching... and green! Conventional walks and game drives Large animals on the beaches including hippo, elephant and buffalo 16
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Mandrills project: Viewing thanks to technology «Mandrills Excursion : Preservation of Mandrills through Tourism and environmental education at Lopé National Parc» 18
The Approach to Eco-tourism Development by Gabon Private skills, bring investors as partners Gabon chooses to work with established and experienced operators Cooperation between NP and private companies to design a system that works Learn from past mistakes in certain countries for a sustainable ecotourism development strategy High value, low impact model Long term security of tenure for investors who meet criteria Working with multiple departments to create facilitating environment for investment Integrate eco-tourism marketing into the national Brand Gabon plan 19
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1st step reached! Gabon eco-tourism strategy through the NP has been agreed Now being driven and implemented A PPP signed for the first ecotourism circuit development in Tropical Dense Forest The legislative environment has been reformed Gabon, already acting and well known for its innovative, strong and green development policy Aviation and transport infrastructure is being improved to support eco-tourism Performance monitoring systems are in place to ensure impacts are carefully managed 21
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Gabon seeks to create its own unique niche market The Gabon ecotourism will not be based only on animal watching but will integrate it as a key component Gabon will compete with an alternative green tourism niche The eco-tourism must serve conservation and vice versa NP, Tourism Ministry and private operators are aligned If I am here to give you this simple message, - as Republic of Gabon Presidential Adviser - visit Gabon because 23
---- something special is happening there! ---- Thanks for your attention. 24
---- something special is happening there! ---- Thanks for your attention. 25