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!