Community Based Tourism in Community Based Tourism in NamibiaNamibia
Presentation Presentation By Maxi LouisBy Maxi Louis
28 April 200528 April 2005
ContentsContents1.1. BackgroundBackground
2.2. What is CBT?What is CBT?
3.3. Principles of CBTPrinciples of CBT
4.4. What’s happening?What’s happening?
5.5. ChallengesChallenges
6.6. Questions / commentsQuestions / comments
BackgroundBackground
• Rural areas - shared Rural areas - shared resourcesresources
• Conservation linkConservation link• Poverty alleviation linkPoverty alleviation link• Empowerment of rural Empowerment of rural
communitiescommunities
What is CBT?What is CBT?
Lodges
Tours
Info &bookings
Guides
CraftCultural
Trophyhunting
Campsites
Principles of CBTPrinciples of CBTEnvironmentalEnvironmental•Contributes meaningfully to conservation of the resources it usesContributes meaningfully to conservation of the resources it uses•Environmentally sound design and operation (EIA and EMP)Environmentally sound design and operation (EIA and EMP)•Development fits into planning frameworksDevelopment fits into planning frameworks
SocialSocial•Employment preference to localsEmployment preference to locals•Encourages local ownership and managementEncourages local ownership and management•Works in harmony with local structuresWorks in harmony with local structures
EconomicEconomic•Based on sound business case with proven market demandBased on sound business case with proven market demand•Business plans developedBusiness plans developed•Management / ownership based on accepted best practiceManagement / ownership based on accepted best practice
What the tourist / tour
operator needs
Small Enterprise Development – current situationSmall Enterprise Development – current situation
UNSUSTAINABLECBTEs
SUSTAINABLE CBTEs
MostCBTEs
UnsustainableIn 2003
Required shift
Owned and managed by conservancy / community
appointed manager (no incentives / autonomy)
Not entrepreneurial.
Individual empowerment
Owned by conservancy but management based on skills, competency,
incentives and clear agreements (could be
out-sourced if appropriate)
Entrepreneurial
Conservancy Committee (CC) empowerment
Sustainable CBTEsIn future
Quality productWell managed
CC manages the person
CC manages the agreement
What the tourist / operator
needs
Minimum standard
required by tourism industry
What’s happening in CBT?What’s happening in CBT?
Guiding at rock art sitesGuiding at rock art sites
• BrandbergBrandberg• TwyfelfonteinTwyfelfontein
What’s happening in CBT?What’s happening in CBT?Campsites – new developmentsCampsites – new developments
• GrootbergGrootberg
• NambwaNambwa
• Bum HillBum Hill
• OmbalantuOmbalantu
Campsite upgradesCampsite upgrades
• PurosPuros
• N//goabaca (Popa Falls)N//goabaca (Popa Falls)
• KubunyanaKubunyana
Tourist informationTourist information
• UisUis
• AusAus
Cultural attractions and craftCultural attractions and craft
• Tsandi HomesteadTsandi Homestead
• King Nehale cultural centreKing Nehale cultural centre
Cultural attractions and craftCultural attractions and craft
• Maltahöhe School ChoirMaltahöhe School Choir
• Puros Cultural VillagePuros Cultural Village
SummarySummary
• Currently 34 active small CBT enterprisesCurrently 34 active small CBT enterprises• N$5 million in turnover in 2003N$5 million in turnover in 2003• 300 rural jobs created300 rural jobs created• 100,000 visitors annually100,000 visitors annually• 29 enterprises with business plans29 enterprises with business plans• All active enterprises promoted on websiteAll active enterprises promoted on website• Booking and information service providedBooking and information service provided• Increased awarenessIncreased awareness
LodgesLodges
Partnerships with conservanciesPartnerships with conservancies
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
N$
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Year
Joint Venture Lodge Benefits 1998-2003
Wages Income
Conservancy Income
10 Active lodge partnerships in place10 Active lodge partnerships in place
Trophy huntingTrophy hunting
• 10 conservancies with hunting 10 conservancies with hunting agreementsagreements
• N$2.5 million in benefits to N$2.5 million in benefits to conservancies (2003)conservancies (2003)
ChallengesChallenges
• Some tour operators are not working Some tour operators are not working through local structuresthrough local structures
• Tourism awareness for broader Tourism awareness for broader Namibian community still a necessityNamibian community still a necessity
• Benefit distribution systems not well Benefit distribution systems not well entrenchedentrenched
• Confusion between ownership and Confusion between ownership and managementmanagement
• Absence of exclusion rights devalues Absence of exclusion rights devalues community tourism assetscommunity tourism assets
Questions / commentsQuestions / comments
Thank you!Thank you!