Community Based

Tourism

Where, when and how?

7th June 2007

Where is it going?

Tourism Industry have to go this way:

• Eco-Tourism or responsible tourism

Driven by the market• Internationally- the tourist wants:

– Diverse activities and areas– Meet local people– Feel good, don’t leave a mess.

Our Goals and Objectives

GoalsTo be long term partner for selected communities and wildlife areas, supporting community and conservation projects that are aimed at sustainable change whilst being considerate and respectful of natural habitat.

ObjectivesBuild community abilities to analyse and plan strategically on long term alleviation of poverty and conservation of natural habitats.

Commit eco-friendly investments into communities.

Support and monitor transparent community governance structures.

The Cutting Edge - Our unique approach?

“Make conservation profitable. Find ways to raise the income of those who live in and near the reserves”. – Edward O Wilson

While the need to address poverty to achieve conservation goals is fairly widely recognized, the role of conservation providing goals for poverty reduction is less understood.

We have the distinctive vision, experience, skills and stamina to do better than existing grass-roots foundations:

• Strategic instead of project orientation- we will work on a long term plans that are strategically designed rather than start and complete a project and move on. We will remian with the community to help them achieve their long term objectives.

• Inside understanding of commercial angle to community- we all are managers who understand business techniques, we can pass on this knowledge to the communities, teach them to benefit economically from conservation, other NGO’s do not understand business, it is not their business to understand.

• Fundamental belief in mutual benefits of community development and conservation (rather than doing one for the other)- we live closely with the local people, we understand that in order that they can look after the natural resources, they themselves have a healthy future, that conserving the natural resource will have an economic benefit and provide this stable future.

The Way Forwards

What we have been doing until now?•Olosokwan $30,000 per year in camping fees

•Piaya $20,000 in camping fees

•Machochwe ward $3000 per year in community funds

•Employment (night watchmen and various camp personnel)

•Education (funding for schools and film shows)

•Produce purchases (vegetables, curios)

•Total contribution approx +$50,000 per year.

What are we NOT presently doing•Long term planning with the communities

•Strategic engagement

•Identifying the community needs

•Strengthen the Sokwe Asilia long term investments

•Maximize external funds and resources.

How will the Foundation improve the existing situation?•provide for consistent management of community relationships and projects within these communities•ensure that focus is maintained on a specified ‘course’ in the community relationship and in the selection and governance of community projects•provide for an administrative infrastructure to raise and manage funds from external sources, including the Sokwe/Asilia Group

Arusha Manifesto- Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere 1961

“The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit are not only important as a resource of wonder and inspiration but are an integral part of our natural resources and our future livelihood and well being”.