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Community Based Tourism in Namibia. Presentation By Maxi Louis 28 April 2005. Contents. Background What is CBT? Principles of CBT What’s happening? Challenges Questions / comments. Background. Rural areas - shared resources Conservation link Poverty alleviation link
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Community Based Tourism in Namibia Presentation By Maxi Louis 28 April 2005
Contents • Background • What is CBT? • Principles of CBT • What’s happening? • Challenges • Questions / comments
Background • Rural areas - shared resources • Conservation link • Poverty alleviation link • Empowerment of rural communities
Campsites Cultural Craft What is CBT? Guides Tours Lodges Trophy hunting Info & bookings
Principles of CBT Environmental • Contributes meaningfully to conservation of the resources it uses • Environmentally sound design and operation (EIA and EMP) • Development fits into planning frameworks Social • Employment preference to locals • Encourages local ownership and management • Works in harmony with local structures Economic • Based on sound business case with proven market demand • Business plans developed • Management / ownership based on accepted best practice
Small Enterprise Development – current situation UNSUSTAINABLE CBTEs SUSTAINABLE CBTEs • Sustainable • CBTEs • In future • Quality product • Well managed Most CBTEs Unsustainable In 2003 What the tourist / operator needs What the tourist / tour operator needs Minimum standard required by tourism industry Owned and managed by conservancy / community appointed manager (no incentives / autonomy) Not entrepreneurial. Owned by conservancy but management based on skills, competency, incentives and clear agreements (could be out-sourced if appropriate) Entrepreneurial Required shift Individual empowerment Conservancy Committee (CC) empowerment CC manages the person CC manages the agreement
What’s happening in CBT? Guiding at rock art sites • Brandberg • Twyfelfontein
Campsites – new developments What’s happening in CBT? • Grootberg • Nambwa • Bum Hill • Ombalantu
Campsite upgrades • Puros • N//goabaca (Popa Falls) • Kubunyana
Tourist information • Uis • Aus
Cultural attractions and craft • Tsandi Homestead • King Nehale cultural centre
Cultural attractions and craft • Maltahöhe School Choir • Puros Cultural Village
Summary • Currently 34 active small CBT enterprises • N$5 million in turnover in 2003 • 300 rural jobs created • 100,000 visitors annually • 29 enterprises with business plans • All active enterprises promoted on website • Booking and information service provided • Increased awareness
Partnerships with conservancies Lodges 10 Active lodge partnerships in place
Trophy hunting • 10 conservancies with hunting agreements • N$2.5 million in benefits to conservancies (2003)
Challenges • Some tour operators are not working through local structures • Tourism awareness for broader Namibian community still a necessity • Benefit distribution systems not well entrenched • Confusion between ownership and management • Absence of exclusion rights devalues community tourism assets