Balancing The Act: The Role Of Actors In Ecotourism Development

Besa Vormatu-DzelumadzekpoAmedzofe Afrika

18 Dr. Amilcar Cabral RoadAirport Residential Area

Accra, Ghana

2003

- A Strategic View

AmedzofeAfrika

• Overview Of Global Tourism Trends

• Philosophy And Approach

• The Challenge: Self-Limiting Views

• Business Development: The “Road Map” To Sustainability

• Creating A Sustainable Eco-Industry

• The Mesomagor Case Study

Table Of Contents

Overview Of Global Tourism

2003 Estimates: • Generates US$4,544.2 Billion In Global Economic

Context• Directly And Indirectly Responsible For 195 Million Jobs

(1 In Every 13.2 Jobs)• Capital Investment Of US$686 Billion (9.6% Of Total

Investments Worldwide)

2013 Estimates: Annual Real Growth Rate Of 4.6%• Will Generate US$8,939.7 Billion In Global Economic

Context• Directly And Indirectly Responsible For 247.2 Million

Jobs (1 In Every 11.9 Jobs)• Capital Investment Of US$1,308.6 Billion (10.1% Of

Total Investments Worldwide)

Tourism: The World’s Largest Industry*

*Figures: World Travel And Tourism Council (WTTC), 2003

Philosophy And Approach

Guiding Principles

Ecotourism

Balance And Sensitivity In Resource Exploitation

Balance And Sensitivity In Resource Exploitation

Integrity Of Ecosystem And Culture

Integrity Of Ecosystem And Culture

Uniqueness And Authenticity Of Experience

Uniqueness And Authenticity Of Experience

Active Community Participation

Active Community Participation

Socio-Economic Opportunities

Socio-Economic Opportunities

• Must Be Self-Evident And Reinforce Each Other At Destination

Development-Based Model Of Ecotourism

The Challenge: Self-Limiting Views

• Subject To The Vagaries Of Donor And Philanthropy Support

View of Practitioners

Conservation ViewConservation View Development ViewDevelopment View

EcotourismEcotourism

•As A Tool For Conservation In Fulfillment Of Ideals•As A Tool For Conservation In Fulfillment Of Ideals

•As A Tool For Development In Fulfillment Of International Conventions

•As A Tool For Development In Fulfillment Of International Conventions

The Project Cycle

• Interventions Repeated Again And Again

ConceptionConception

ImplementationImplementationDeteriorationDeterioration

Business Development:The “Road Map” To Sustainability

• The Business View Adds The Dimension Of Sustainability And Independence Free From The Vagaries Of Donor/Philanthropy Support

The Strategic Partnership NexusConservation View• Tool For ConservationConservation View• Tool For Conservation

Development View• Tool For DevelopmentDevelopment View• Tool For Development

EcotourismEcotourism

Business View•Must Subscribe To Principles Of Conservation•Has To Generate Social And Economic Benefits•Needs To Offer Appropriate Investment Returns•Must Ensure Sustainability Of Projects

Business View•Must Subscribe To Principles Of Conservation•Has To Generate Social And Economic Benefits•Needs To Offer Appropriate Investment Returns•Must Ensure Sustainability Of Projects

• Commitment To Providing This Value

Ecotourist Consumer View Is Based On Obtaining Value Along This Chain…

Conceptualization Of Ecotourism ExperienceConceptualization Of Ecotourism Experience

Marketing Marketing

Fulfillment Of Expectations•Experiences•Guiding & Interpretation

Fulfillment Of Expectations•Experiences•Guiding & Interpretation

After-Care•Continued Post-Ecotour Communication•New Experiences & Services

After-Care•Continued Post-Ecotour Communication•New Experiences & Services

Creating A Sustainable Eco-Industry

Necessary But Not SufficientNecessary But Not Sufficient

• Inclusion Of Private Sector Completes Matrix

Strategic View

Government•Policy & Legislation •Infrastructure

Government•Policy & Legislation •Infrastructure

NGOs/Donors•Tool-Oriented Perspectives•Funds

NGOs/Donors•Tool-Oriented Perspectives•Funds

+Progressive Private Sector Agenda•Investments•Long Range Thinking•Beneficial Exploitation

Progressive Private Sector Agenda•Investments•Long Range Thinking•Beneficial Exploitation

• Government/NGO/Donor Action– Infrastructure (Motorable Roads, Electricity,

Telecommunication Facilities, Social Amenities)

– Product Development (Attractions, Facilities, Activities, And Services)

– Market To Generate Initial Ecotourist Traffic

• Government And Industry Regulation– Good Eco-Practices– Operational And Market-Wise Incentives

• Create Appropriate-Return Investment Opportunities

Prerequisites For Private Sector Investment: Govt./NGO/Donor Role

Private Sector Role

CreativityCreativity Investible ResourcesInvestible Resources

Market For SubstitutesMarket For Substitutes

Market For ComplementsMarket For Complements

InnovationInnovation

Re-inventionRe-invention

Business ToolsBusiness Tools

• Create Sustainable Growth Business Models In Every Life-Cycle Stage, From Start-Up To Maturity

Monitoring And Evaluation System: A Responsibility Of All Actors

M&E SystemM&E System

VisitorsVisitors SpeciesSpeciesHabitatHabitat

ProductProductCommunityCommunity

EconomicEconomic

InfrastructureInfrastructure

ManagementManagement

ExperienceExperience

Case Study

Ecotourism Resources

•RainforestFlora, fauna, river system, climate

•PeopleCultureLifestyleBamboo Orchestra

The Product

Mesomagor

The Elephant and the Baku Tree

• Tree Platform• Baku Tree• Elephant Viewing• Hiking to view

monkeys, cocoa farms, palm oil production, palm wine tapping, palm oil extraction, distilling gin, etc.

Rainforest

• Kukyekukyeku Bamboo Orchestra.

Bamboo Orchestra

Sustainability

Reception Manager

Attractions/Services:•Bamboo Orchestra performance•Tree Platform•Home-stay•Walking Tours•Guiding and interpretation•Story-telling•Hiking•Food; women’s group•Drumming & dancing•Cooking traditional dishes

Visitor

Ecotourism Committee

Operations

Bamboo Orchestra

Women’s Group

Tour Guides

Wildlife Division

Traditional Authority

Unit Committee

Mesomagor Ecotourism Committee

Management

• Members of orchestra• Women in women’s group.• Tour guides• Reception manager• Wildlife division staff• Food sellers• Home keepers• Craft sellers

Direct Indirect

Community Fund• % from groups• Entrance fees• Donations

Development Projects• clinic• school• water

Benefits sharing

• In Conclusion, I Believe It Is In The Interest Of Governments, Donors And NGOs To Create The Space And Provide Incentives For The Private Sector To Become Partners In Natural Resource Conservation To Use Ecotourism As A Sustainable Development Tool

Conclusion