Sustainable Tourism in Namibia By Akotowaa Sustainable Tourism Preserves natural environment Respects culture of the locals Guarantees livelihood of locals Some facts about Namibia Most arid country south of the Sahara Desert Receives 258 millimeters of rain a year. Very low population density – about 2 people per kilometer. Three topographical zones: Western Coastal zone – home of Namib Desert Eastern Desert Zone Semi-arid central plateau Desertification is a barrier to economic progress 300 days of sunshine a year – great for tourism. How Important is Tourism in Namibia? Tourism in Namibia against Africa and The World - 2009 stats 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Namibia Sub-Saharan Africa % contribution to GDP The World % of people employed % annual growth Contributing factors to Namibia’s Economy Constitutes 40% of country’s GDP Mining Eg. Diamonds Tourism Grown steadily since Namibia’s Independence in 1990 Agriculture and Fishing Namibia’s Main Attractions Natural Environment Diverse Cultures Archaeological Sites Natural Environment 40% of wildlife located in protected and communal areas. Commercial farms on private lands contain majority of the wildlife. Privately-owned semi-arid to arid range lands have multimillion-pound industries based on Viewing of game animals Controlled destruction/ trophy hunting (Trophy hunting: Selective hunting of wild game animals) Namibia’s Tourism Bodies Ministry for the Environment and Tourism • Monitors impact of tourism on the environment • Concerned with land degradation/desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity etc Namibia Tourism Board • Regulating aspects of the tourist industry • Eg accommodation, transport, catering Namibia Community Based Tourism Association • Provides funding for new ventures • Ensures that money raised from tourism reaches local community Issues Faced vs UN Environmental Program Recommendations Issues UNEP Recommendations Overconsumption of resources Use alternatives to fuelwood Tourists consume up to 3 times water of local people Demands for hot water uses a lot of fuelwood Low carrying capacity of desert environments Use purified water instead of mineral water in plastic bottles Use dry toilets, burn toilet paper Use biodegradable detergent High waste output Tourists take their non-biodegradable waste home Looting of paintings and engravings Forbidding flash photography etc Issues Faced vs UN Environmental Program Recommendations Issues UNEP Recommendations Tourists’ disrespectful behaviour Produce should be bought from local communities Eg, in the way they dress Use of offensive gestures Intrusive photography Restricting locals’ access to grazing land and water, where resources are under pressure Encourage intercultural understanding Provide language training Draw on expertise and knowledge of local communities Responsible tourism at the local scale Himba people of Kaokoland About Kaokoland In Northern Namibia 40 000 km2 Less than 30 000 inhabitants Himba people: semi-nomadic, pastoral population Pastoral: Relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle. (Pastures) Main food: cow milk, meat Cattle are the main symbol of wealth Himba people Himba people Huts made from tree saplings mixed with mud and dung Surrounded by animal pens Wear traditional dresses Speak local language Follow traditional behavioural codes Attracted many anthropologists Lifestyle probably related to their geographical location Himba people Himba people Plaster skin and hair with butter and ash for protection against the sun, and youthful looks Wear elaborate jewellery Intricate weaving of hair How Himba reflects sustainable tourism Maintaining the culture of the local people Language Dressing Hunting Food Tourists have not interfered with the locals or the environment Damaraland Accommodation at Damaraland Camp Damaraland was named by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2005 as the winner of the Tourism Tomorrow Conservation Award Award recognizes and promotes practices in responsible tourism Camp is run by local Damara people, and western operator Wilderness Safaris Set up in 1996 Camp consists of tents on wooden platforms, shaded and open to breeze Verandahs have a view of the Haub River Valley and the mountains Game is driven into the valley Accommodation at Damaraland Camp Food is eaten in a dining area of local stone and canvas Plunge pool for guests Sustains itself without donor funding Profits go to mobile clinics, educational materials, running water, Anti-poaching patrols. (Poaching: illegal hunting of game) 10% income goes back onto the communities from Wilderness Safaris Populations in conservancy have doubled since 1996. More Helpful Sites http://www.mdgfund.org/program/sustainableculturaltourismnamibia http://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/namibia-s-sustainable-tourism-success