Download - Botswana & Sustainable Tourism
BACKGROUND
• Tourism activity in Botswanais spread through out thecountry and mainly takesplace in and around inprotected areas.
• Imagine a country the size ofFrance and 45% of its landarea reserved as protectedareas.
Botswana’s protected land is divided between 8 categories:
• National Parks• Game Reserves• Private Wildlife and Nature
Reserves• Wildlife Management Areas• Forest Reserves• National Monuments• World Heritage Sites• Ramsar Sites.
Tourism Activity – Mainly in and around protected areas
Tourism Policy – High Value Low Volume in Eco –Sensitive areas
Main Objective – Environmental Protection & Sustainable Utilisation
SUSTAINABLE & RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
• The main and mostestablished tourismproduct – Wildlife andwilderness experience.
• Efforts on going todiversify into mainlyculture and heritage, MICEand Sports and Adventure.
• Botswana has the put inplace policy measures toprotect the environmentand sustainably utilise theher natural Resources
SUSTAINABLE & RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
• In our efforts to promote Green and sustainable tourism development BOTSWANA has developed a number of policies, guidelines and Standards
– National Eco Tourism Strategy, 2002
– Ecotourism Best Practice Guidelines User Manual
– Ecotourism Best Practice Guidelines Technical Manual
– Eco Certification System & Standards
THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF ECO-CERTIFICATION
• Principle 1:Operate a Sustainable Management Policy
• Principle 2: Green and responsible Marketing
• Principle 3: Minimisation of Negative Impact onEnvironment on Environment by Physical Designproduced by operations
• Principle 4: Visitor Experience, Impact and Interpretation
• Principle 5:Maximise Local (District) Community Benefits
• Principle 6:Contribution to Conservation
• Principle 7: Nature Interpretation (Tour execution)
THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF ECO-CERTIFICATION
• Principle 1:Operate a Sustainable Management Policy
• Principle 2: Green and responsible Marketing
• Principle 3: Minimisation of Negative Impact on Environment on Environment by Physical Design produced by operations
• Principle 4: Visitor Experience, Impact and Interpretation
• Principle 5:Maximise Local (District) Community Benefits
• Principle 6:Contribution to Conservation
• Principle 7: Nature Interpretation (Tour execution)
EXAMPLE - PRINCIPLE 3: Minimise Environmental Impact: Design & Operations
• Site Development
• Comprehensive site selection process
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Screening + visual integration with landforms
• Facility location, layout and orientation e.g. access to natural environ.
• Natural, cultural, archaeological resource protection measures are incorporated
• Energy ConservationUse of Solar Panels, Photovoltaic, Wind Turbine
Use of low energy consumption appliances
PRINCIPLE 3: Environmental Impact: Design and Operations
• All of the hot water pipes insulated • Visitor energy-use awareness program
• Purchasing Practices
• No-smoking rooms + guest areas
• Waste Management and Recycling
– biodegradable waste is composted and used on the landscaping
• Separation and Recycling program
• Guests informed about recycling activities
• Use of biodegradable cleaners and pesticides
BOTSWANA’S FLAGSHIP CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
RHINO RELOCATIONPROGRAMME
• largest ever relocation of black rhino in Africa this year, whereby 1% of the total population was transferred to safe areas in Botswana from our neighbouring countries.
• The rhino relocation project began in 2000, and since then, 40 white rhino and 42 black rhino have been moved to safer areas and now roam freely.
• Target to relocate moe200 rhinos to safe areas in Botswana
Botswana is home to thelargest free roamingpopulation of AfricanElephants in the world. It isestimated that 160,000elephants are resident inBotswana, with 40,000migratory herds passingthrough, this accounts forapproximately 1/3 of the totalglobal African elephantpopulation. Sadly it isestimated that every day 96elephants are poached, butwe are proud to say that lastyear Botswana only lost 38 ofour herd to poaching (in anentire year).
ELEPHANT PROTECTION
NON CONSUPTIVE TOURISM
• Botswana has moved from consumptive to non-consumptive tourism. HUNTING BAN –WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ONLY A CAMERA SHOULD EVER BE AIMED AT WILDLIFE…
• Former hunting concessions areas are being developed into tourism zones that through diverse tourism product development and CBNRM programs, revenue for the local communities continues throughout the year not just seasonally and brings employment to a far wider base.
• The hunting ban will continue - recovery positive.
WE ENDEVOUR TO OFFER OUR TOURISTS AUTHENTIC, LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES… VISIT BOTSWANA!