The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS): a unique 55, 374km² water and game rich area within Botswana’s desert environment. It includes the Tsodilo Hills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Moremi Game Reserve, Wildlife Management Areas and community lands.

Judges’ Verdict

Botwana’s approach to tourism is based on a ‘low-volume – high-yield’ strategy… setting conservative limits to bed and vehicle density. Through the management of Botswana Tourism Organisation, a unique partnership between state, private sector and rural communities has been established. Some 34% of the adult population in ODRS now work in tourism and wildlife, contributing to the conservation of fragile habitat and a number of IUCN red-listed threatened species (based on the assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature), as well as generating income and employment in the region.

In 2002 Botswana established a National Ecotourism Strategy which led to the publication of an Ecotourism Best Practice Manual in 2008. Operators and tourism suppliers within the ODRS have taken Botswana’s tourism vision to heart and have created world-class facilities allowing for lower-impact and higher-tariff tourism.

ʻʼThe award means a lot to us in Botswana and is an indication that the world recognizes our efforts in preserving our environment and developing the sector for the benefit of communities with high regard for the environment. It also challenges and motivates us to continue to compete on best practices and product offerings globally.ʼʼ

-Myra Sekgororoane, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Tourism Organization

Namibia’s communal conservancy tourism sector has been nominated as a finalist in the Tourism for Tomorrow Award programme backed by the WTTC.
These awards are the most prominent and prestigious international tourism awards, at times dubbed the Oscars of the tourism industry, which are given out by the largest travel and tourism industry association in the world.
Over 160 entries were received from 45 countries and the other African countries who are finalists in other categories are Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa.
The award recognises best practices in sustainable tourism in four different categories: Destination Stewardship, Conservation, Community Benefit and Global Tourism business. The winner will be announced in Beijing, China, during the WTTC convention from May 24 to 26.
Namibia currently has 59 registered conservancies, with another 30 being considered for registration. Conservancies are found in almost all the regions and cover 16,8 per cent of the land area.
Within the Communal Conservancy Tourism Sector, there are 29 formal joint-venture lodges and campsites, mostly owned by the private sector, that work in collaboration with their host communities.
These joint ventures provide 789 full-time jobs and over 250 seasonal jobs. More than N$145 million has been invested in tourism joint ventures in communal conservancies by the private sector and Government since 1998.
Tourism ventures contribute to the livelihoods in the regions and the communities they operate in, in multiple ways, including direct and indirect contractual cash payments to conservancies, salaries of employees, staff training and relating benefits such as payments of cash and in-kind contributions to village development committees, schools and clinics.
Job creation and income generation are just part of the benefits of conservancies. With a vested interest in their land, conservancy members have eliminated poaching and set aside land for exclusive wildlife and resulting in expanding populations of all wildlife, including elephant, lion and black rhino.
“It was not by sheer luck that we made it to the top three,” says Minister of Environment and Tourism Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“This is a true reward of our dedication and commitment to both conservation and empowerment. Making it to the top three should be perceived in a high light by the whole country.”

The World Bank has announced a $3 million investment to create jobs and boost sustainable conservation through a community-conceived ecotourist resort.

Mozambique is gearing up to build a $3 million eco-tourist resort in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, to be co-financed by the World Bank, with the goal of creating jobs and increasing a community-driven sustainable tourism industry.

The local partner–the A Hi Zameni Chemucane Association – represents 850 people from three surrounding communities who co-signed the 50-year agreement with the World Bank.

The eco-tourist lodge will differ from other similar tourist attractions in neighboring countries as it will be community-driven and not a purely commercial venture.

“The Government policy has been to involve the local communities in the management of natural resources and to encourage their engagement in the economic opportunities created in protected areas. This pilot partnership model with the communities is a means to support poverty alleviation and promote the sustainable use of natural resources” said Mozambique Minister of Tourism, Fernando Sumbana Júnior, in the press release.

Mozambique is a south-eastern Africas coastal country sharing borders with South Africa to the South and Tanzania to the North and the Maputo Reserve is part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, a joint development by the governments of Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa.

To that end, it’s hoped that such sustainable conservation initiatives will become region-wide. Mozambique’s Ministry of Tourism and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation are actively trying to promote cross-border collaborations and make Mozambique a more business-friendly country to invest in.

The US government Millennium Challenge Corporation also selected Ghana and Georgia

At its quarterly meeting, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors selected Ghana and Georgia as eligible to develop proposals for compacts, the second for each country, and approved a $350.7 million compact with the Government of Malawi.

“This was the first MCC Board Meeting since President Obama announced the U.S. Global Development Policy in September,” said MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. Yohannes.  “MCC’s approach to development, which focuses on economic growth, country ownership, sustainability, and accountability, directly aligns with the President’s strategy.”
 
“President Obama’s new policy, and MCC’s own strategic priorities announced early last year, including an emphasis on results, private sector engagement, gender integration, and effective policy reform, helped frame the Board’s discussion,” added Mr. Yohannes.

At the meeting, the Board selected Ghana and Georgia as eligible to develop proposals for new compacts.  These second compacts are contingent on successful completion of first compacts, continued good policy performance, development of proposals that have significant potential to promote economic growth and reduce poverty, and availability of funding.



The Board also discussed the positive conclusion of the Honduras compact, noting that the experience exemplified the kind of implementation partnership MCC seeks.  Mr. Yohannes stated, “MCC recognizes the positive steps taken by the Government of Honduras, as well as its strong commitment to reform and reconciliation.  We look forward to continued engagement with the Government of Honduras and future consideration of the country for a second compact.”



The Board agreed that Cape Verde, Indonesia, and Zambia are eligible to continue the process of developing compacts in Fiscal Year 2011. 

In addition to approving Malawi’s eligibility for FY2011 funding, the Board approved a $350.7 million compact with Malawi to support the Government of Malawi’s power sector reform agenda, as well as improve the availability, reliability, and quality of Malawi’s power supply by rehabilitating key power generation, transmission and distribution assets.


“MCC looks forward to continuing our work with Malawi as this compact program advances to implementation,” stated MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes.  “Success of the program will depend on the Government of Malawi’s continued commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency.”

MCC and the Government of Malawi expect nearly 6 million individuals to benefit from the compact during and after the five-year compact period.  By statute, following MCC Board approval, there is a 15-day congressional notification period before a compact may be signed.

Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. Government agency designed to work with developing countries, is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces sound political, economic, and social policies that promote poverty reduction through economic growth. 

For more information, visit www.mcc.gov.

IIPT is proud to announce that the Pacific Asia Travel Association has agreed to be a partner in the 5^th IIPT African Conference, Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism in Africa and the Developing World.

The Conference, being hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of Zambia, will be held April 3-8, 2011  in Livingstone, Zambia (home of Victoria Falls), in support of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

Said Greg Duffell, CEO, PATA: “PATA has always supported and encouraged environmentally responsible travel, as has IIPT. We expect that this Conference will address key areas of concern that the effects of climate change bring upon Africa and the developing world – which have historically been the least contributors of global warming to the planet.”

In making the announcement, IIPT President Louis D’Amore said, “PATA has long been a leader in promoting sustainable tourism beginning with its introduction of the GreenLeaf Program in the early 1990’s – one of the industry’s very first set of sustainable tourism guidelines – and since its beginnings some sixty years ago, advocating tourism that is socially, culturally, and environmentally responsible. We are honored to have PATA as a partner in this milestone event.”

PATA joins with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a Partner in the Conference. UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai will be a featured keynote speaker of the Conference. Other speakers will be announced in the days ahead.  

Climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa and the entire Developing World.  Although Africa and other developing nations are least responsible for climate change, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects. Impacts of climate change include increased incidence of both drought and flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, deforestation, and impacts on food security – all of which have an impact on tourism and achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Background 

In 2007, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with the support of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Swiss Government, convened the Second International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, in Davos, Switzerland with the aim of responding to climate change imperatives in the tourism sector. The conference set out a range of specific policies and actions to be taken by all stakeholders in the tourism sector to immediately begin to establish and implement a long range carbon-neutral roadmap.

Aim of 5th IIPT African Conference
The 5th IIPT African Conference will seek to identify actual ‘on-the-ground’ progress since the 2007 Conference with case studies of ‘Best Practice’ from each of the developing regions of the world and from governments, destinations, industry sectors, NGOs, researchers/academics, and the media.

Participants
The 5th IIPT African Conference will bring together Ministers of Tourism and senior government officials; senior executives from the diverse sectors of the industry, senior representatives of UN Agencies, the World Bank, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s); policy makers, practitioners, researchers; and leading academics to share their knowledge, experience and research related to Climate Change response strategies, programs and actions in Africa and developing countries throughout the world.

Call for Models of Best Practice
IIPT welcomes nominations for models of best practice from Africa and other developing nations that are a response to these various challenges of climate change. Models from government, the private sector NGO’s, leading research organizations, and academics who are doing ground-breaking work in the field of tourism and climate change are invited. 

Please send your suggestions and/or brief summary of your proposed presentation directly to: Louis D’Amore, Email: ljd@iipt.org.

The Eco Warrior Awards were announced this week – and we are delighted that Sanctuary Olonana, one of bercrombie & Kent’s exclusive tented camps in the Masai Mara, was one of the winners.

Launched by Ecotourism Kenya in 2005, these prestigious awards honour innovation within the Kenyan tourism industry with the aim of encouraging sustainable tourism that respects the environment, empowers local communities and promotes good business practice.

The Eco Warrior Awards recognise companies or individuals for their achievements in four main areas: outstanding innovation, key achievements, sustainability and replicability.

The six winners all demonstrated innovation in one or more of these areas, with Sanctuary Olonana commended for its sustainable practices including:

• Designing an innovative wetland system that cleans wastewater before returning it to the natural environment.

• Establishing a special tree-planting project to help prevent the deforestation in the Masai Mara and in the process engage the participation of the local community.

• Building a crafts shop at Sanctuary Olonana where Maasai women from the neighbouring village can exclusively display and sell their wares to guests staying at the camp.

• Creating a partnership with the Maasai village so that guests can visit the village to learn about local culture. At the end of every month Sanctuary Olonana makes a contribution to the village on behalf of every client who visited the village, providing a source of income for the whole community.

The team of judges all agreed, “Sanctuary Olonana shared their vision on how the Mara or any area in Kenya can become sustainable in terms of energy production and use. In addition, they provided a clear example of innovation in waste management and how this can be replicated. Sanctuary Olonana have established an indigenous tree planting project that guests can participate in which they hope will be replicated in the Mara to help curb deforestation.”

Like all Sanctuary properties, Sanctuary Olonana operates around the ethos of “luxury, naturally”. The first of Sanctuary Retreats’ African properties, this is an exclusive and sustainable camp built along the Mara River at the foot of the Siria Escarpment. The 14 spacious canvas tents all have floor to ceiling mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush lavatories, solar lighting and large river view verandas. There is an organic garden where much of the food served in camp is grown.

Sanctuary Olonana is the proud recipient of many other environmental awards including a silver award from Ecotourism Kenya and a conservation award from the East African Wildlife Society.

Guests travelling on A&K’s 10 day ‘Kenya: Wildlife and Warriors’ journey spend three nights at Sanctuary Olonana.

Cape Town’s summer tourism season is getting underway and Cape Town Tourism has launched a summer campaign with the message: “Love Summer! Love Cape Town!”. 

To celebrate, Cape Town Tourism hosted one hundred top-achieving Big Issue vendors on a tour of the Cape Peninsula and a visit to the top of Table Mountain via the Cable Car. This follows on from Cape Town Tourism’s successful partnership with the Big Issue that started in the lead-up to this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament, where vendors were trained as tourism ambassadors and provided with rainbow-coloured bibs. 

Partners on the excursion included Springbok Atlas, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, who also provided lunch.

Trudy Vlok, MD of the Big Issue says, “In the run-up to Friday’s event, the Big Issue vendors were very excited about the opportunity to experience the sights of the Mother City from the perspective of a VIP tourist.  None of them are in a position to do this kind of thing in their everyday lives.  The partnership with Cape Town Tourism gives them the chance to see the beauty of the city from the “other” side.  Quite simply, they’re over the moon.  The Big Issue would like to thank Cape Town Tourism for making this wonderful day possible.”

Speaking from the top of Table Mountain, 27 year old Xolani Nyengane, a Big Issue vendor for the past three years said: “I am looking at Table Mountain everyday from where I wake up in the Cape Flats to where I sell my magazines in town. I never thought that I would actually get on top of that Mountain one day and look at me now – here I am on top of the world. Today I feel so blessed to be part of this community of brothers and sisters at the Big Issue. Thank you Cape Town Tourism for doing something special today.”

Cape Town Tourism’s long-term partnership with the Big Issue is a rewarding relationship for all concerned.

Says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold; “The Big Issue vendors are in the perfect position to be tourism ambassadors for our City as they are visible and recognisable, and participating in our urban landscape. They also represent Cape Town’s entrepreneurial spirit.”
Cape Town Tourism would like to extend a “thank you” to all Big Issue vendors for their hard work throughout the year and their commitment to friendly service delivery. Cape Town Tourism looks forward to the continuation of this partnership into 2011.

Copyright: Theodore Kourelis

UNWTO has called on delegates attending the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) in Nagoya, Japan, to recognize tourism’s role in safeguarding biodiversity as they shape and agree on a global strategy to save the world’s ecosystems . As part of the decisions adopted by the Parties, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will continue collaboration with UNWTO, including a review of the implementation of the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development.

A UNWTO side-event, ‘Tourism and Biodiversity: how to achieve common goals towards sustainability’, held during the meeting, advocated for the inclusion of tourism in the COP agenda and national policies as a driver of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (27 October 2010). In particular, the event officially presented the UNWTO Recommendations to COP10 calling on the Parties to take note of the opportunities inherent in sustainable tourism for implementing the objectives of the CBD.

As a key source of income and employment, tourism makes a valuable contribution to socio-economic growth, particularly in developing countries where the largest proportion of global biodiversity is concentrated. As a result, the sector provides strong incentives for the protection of biodiversity, generates significant revenues for conservation and community development and helps raise awareness of biodiversity issues. According to the UNWTO Recommendations, a better understanding of the link between tourism, biodiversity and poverty alleviation will maximize benefits for all three areas.

The UNWTO Recommendations further outline the main conclusions emerging from the 2010 World Tourism Day celebrations, held under the theme ‘Tourism and Biodiversity’, to coincide with the UN International Year of Biodiversity. The conclusions underscore the need for the global tourism sector – as one of the world’s leading economic activities – to assume a collective responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. In particular, public and private tourism stakeholders must work within their respective ambits to implement global biodiversity targets and the involvement of local communities must be maximized to develop tourism in a sustainable manner.

The UNWTO event at COP10 also included an interactive panel, with the participation of tourism and biodiversity representatives, highlighting the links between biodiversity and tourism, the contribution of the public and private tourism sector to biodiversity, as well as the relevant work being undertaken by UNWTO.

At COP10, Parties and their partners met to negotiate a new strategic plan on biodiversity for the period 2011-2020, with a biodiversity vision for 2050. The UNWTO side-event represents the first time UNWTO has been officially represented at a Conference of Parties to the CBD, although the Organization has long accounted for biological diversity issues in its programme of work and has been collaborating with the CBD since 2002.

Benguela – Tourism in Angola has risen by more than 300 percent in terms of entry of foreigners from 2002 to September 2007, Angop learned.

This was said Wednesday in central Benguela province by the national director for Hotels and Tourism Training, Bumba de Castro. The director said so while addressing the opening of the workshop on “Promoting sustainable tourism”, in representation of the Hotels and Tourism minister, Pedro Mutindi. According to him, with the attainment of peace in 2002, the country received 91,000 tourists and, according to statistics released on September 27, 2009 the figure has risen to 365,000 tourists. Organised by Trainfortrade/Angola and funded by the European Union (EU), the event was attended by 25 citizens representing public and private institutions such as the tourism departments of the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Kwanza Norte, Moxico and Namibe.

 Representatives of the administrations of Benguela, Lobito, Baía Farta and various hotels of the region also attended the workshop.

www.flikr.com

Copyright: Claire Neilson

In July 2009, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to investigate the possibility of developing tools and procedures for Fair Trade labelling of travel packages to South Africa. Today South Africa may be one of the first countries in the world to have Fair Trade labelling on packages to the country. One South African and two Swiss tour operators (Kuoni Private Safaris, Reise Service Imagine and Kuoni Travel) have been working closely with FTTSA to develop this new approach to tourism. All components of the packages (tour operators, transport, activities and accommodation) as well as all contractual relationships in the value chain have been audited against Fair Trade standards. This work marks the first time in the nearly 50-year history of the global Fair Trade movement that such systems are being developed for the international trade in tourism services, and has been officially endorsed by the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) International. Fair Trade Travel (FTT) aims ensure that workers and owners of tourism establishments benefit by requiring long-term trading relationships, full prepayment and binding cancellation agreements. An additional premium will be channelled directly into a central fund and used for development projects across South Africa. The system also monitors that price levels and contractual agreements are fair and that they are being followed, ensuring a fair deal for small and emerging tourism service providers. FTT also will ensure that as much money as possible generated by tourism is retained in the local economy.

For more on this story go to; http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/NewsDetails.aspx?newsId=22747