Sustainable Tourism in NamibiaBy 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?

Namibia Sub-Saharan Africa The World0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Tourism in Namibia against Africa and The World - 2009 stats

% contribution to GDP % of people employed % annual growth

Contributing factors to Namibia’s Economy

Mining Eg. Diamonds

Agriculture and FishingConstitutes 40% of

country’s GDP

TourismGrown steadily since Namibia’s Independence in 1990

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 Overconsumption of resources

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

High waste output

Looting of paintings and engravings

UNEP Recommendations Use alternatives to fuelwood

Use purified water instead of mineral water in plastic bottles

Use dry toilets, burn toilet paper

Use biodegradable detergent

Tourists take their non-biodegradable waste home

Forbidding flash photography etc

Issues Faced vs UN Environmental Program Recommendations

Issues

Tourists’ disrespectful behaviour 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

UNEP Recommendations

Produce should be bought from local communities

Encourage intercultural understanding

Provide language training

Draw on expertise and knowledge of local communities

Responsible tourism at the local scaleHimba 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