Insert photo COAST STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Seychelles, June 2014 Eco-tourism and Alternative Livelihoods

Eco-tourism projects Background -Regional ST-EP eco tourism seminars organized in second semester 2010 in: Ghana, for Ghana, Nigeria and The Gambia Kenya, for Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles and Tanzania Senegal, for Senegal and Cameroon (ST-EP Seminar funded by UNWTO) -Value chain analysis in demo-sites carried out by COAST teams in 2011 with a view to identifying possible project interventions.

The 7 ST-EP Mechanisms Investment in infrastructure stimulated by tourism also benefiting the poor in the locality Supply of goods and services to tourism enterprises by the poor or by enterprises employing the poor Employment of the poor in tourism enterprises Tax or levy on tourism income or profits with proceeds benefiting the poor Voluntary giving or support by tourism enterprises and tourists “Tourism and Poverty Alleviation: Recommendations for Action” UNWTO, 2004 T HE 7 ST-EP M ECHANISMS Direct sales of goods and services to visitors by the poor 3 Establishment and running of tourism enterprises by the poor 4

Eco-tourism projects Background ctd. -Eco-tourism projects launched in 2011 (Cameroon, Ghana and Kenya) and 2012 (Gambia, Nigeria and Tanzania), based on detailed workplan prepared by the COAST teams in the countries. -Mozambique carries out ST-EP project in demo site with funds mobilized by UNWTO -Eco-tourism project could not be implemented in Ngasobil, Senegal, as demo site was deleted after MTE.

-Most projects completed by May 2014, and final reports sent to UNWTO. -Projects for which UNWTO has managed to obtain co-funding (Cameroon, Gambia and Mozambique) will continue beyond the period of the COAST project, with direct support and supervision from UNWTO. -Good institutional structures in place in demo sites to sustain/build on the results achieved: strong local authorities/NGOs/business associations – multi-stakeholder platforms (DSMCs). State of Affairs 2014

Objective: To enhance quality and local benefits from tourism in Kribi through capacity building, promotion of income generating activities, and the development of governance structures regarding management of coastal tourist sites. Cameroon - Kribi

-Four eco-tourism community-based organizations active in the demo-sites -82 local people received training on eco-tourism service delivery, in particular guiding, with badges distributed among tour guides -Eco-tourism trail developed in the Bagyeli Pygmy lands -Afforestation of beach areas supported by the Ministry of Environment -Construction of basic tourism facilities at beaches (restaurant, toilet, barbecue place……) -Marketing materials, including website, developed Cameroon - Kribi

Objective: To develop new and sustainable community based tourism activities and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMMEs) in line with Eco-tourism development goals and create pro-poor tourism opportunities for the communities of Kartong. The Gambia - Kartong

-Key stakeholders brought together in tourism visioning exercise. -Training on business management training for 10 KART members, plus on KM and e-marketing -Training on responsible tourism and environmental issues organized for local stakeholders ( participants). -Ten young tour guides trained, and new tourism products developed: incl. bike tours, forest walk. -20 waste collection bins distributed and visible reduction of waste dumping in the village. -Arts and crafts produced from recycled waste. The Gambia - Kartong

Objective: To improve the participation of communities and the tourism private sector in the conservation of the Songhor Lagoon Biosphere reserve area through: (1) establishing partnerships among stakeholders (government, private sector, communities) for the development of enhanced & diversified local Eco-tourism business opportunities; and, (2) improving waste management and restoration of the natural environment. Ghana – Ada Foah

-Training seminars organized on tour guiding, gin producing, environmental resource management and health and safety measures (total 147 part.) -Mountain bikes and boat motor made available to guides for the organization of excursions. -New excursions (by bike or boat) developed. -Local Tourism Information Office established and equipped, and collaborating with hotel association to promote excursions among hotels in Ada. -Marketing materials (guide book, video, info sheets with transparent prices) prepared, and info on Ada included in international guide books. Ghana – Ada Foah

Objective: To develop sustainable community based tourism and eco-tourism activities and create pro poor employment and income opportunities. Kenya - Watamu

-Community snake park, mangrove boardwalk and local restaurant improved and operational; sustainable fishing practices used for supply restaurant. -Canoe excursions, including fishing, organized at Mida Creek. -Traditional dances performed for tourists and agricultural excursions organized. -5 beekeeping groups supported to improve production and for future supply to hotels, benefitting 75 women and 40 men. -12 members of women’s group selling curios made from recycled waste. Kenya - Watamu

Objective: To increase the involvement of the local people in tourism and to develop sustainable community based eco- tourism activities. Nigeria - Badagry

-Training seminars organized for informal tour guides (48 participants) and boat operators (18). -Guides adopted guidelines regarding entrance fee to Gberefu Beach (point of no return) to be used for the management of the site. -Training on souvenir production for 136 local people and sales point with four shop established trees planted in tourist spots along the coast. -New guide book developed and 7,000 copies distributed. -Multi-stakeholder assosiation (SCATE) established to promote sustainable tourism. Nigeria - Badagry

Objective: To improve local community livelihoods through new and improved Eco-tourism activities, as well as improved natural resource and waste management at the site, resulting in increased tourist arrivals with longer stays. Tanzania - Bagamoyo

-Position of district tourism officer created. -Over 15 acres replanted with mangroves. -Beach clean ups are organized and district authority has reserved budget to continue beach cleaning activities. -Training seminars organized on business management, customer care, and tour guiding, and new excursions developed (+ link with CTP). -Local tourism office operational, promoting the destination. -Promotional materials prepared and disseminated, including brochure and website. -Tourist arrivals increased from 24,187 to 30,101. Tanzania - Bagamoyo

Objective: To enhance the local economic impact from tourism in Inhambane through human resource development and SME development in the tourism sector. Mozambique - Inhambane

-21 Training seminars organized on cooking, tour guiding, housekeeping, bar/restaurant attendants, and business management (512 participants). -Small matching grants provided to local entrepreneurs for eggs supply, sailing excursions, handicrafts production, vegetable farming, and local restaurant. -Handicrafts produced from recycled waste and space provided for sale of handicrafts. -Drinking water provided by tourism resort to local communities, benefitting 4000 local people. -Multi-stakeholder platform for joint promotion. Mozambique - Inhambane

The ST-EP programme structure provided an already well tested framework for development and delivery of ecotourism projects, providing an easy structure that local groups have been able to work with and adapt. The MTE is confident that the suite of ecotourism projects funded through the COAST Project can be delivered inside the remaining two years if all are started by end March Eco-tourism projects have strong focus on socio- economic benefits, however, delivery of environmental benefits through the projects is less clear. Selected Findings MTE

-New global review on BAPs/BATs for eco- tourism drafted based on case studies from sustainable tourism projects (incl. field research on ST-EP projects in coastal areas in Ghana and Tanzania), also highlighting the benefits to biodiversity from sustainable tourism projects. -Extra attempts made to include environmental indicators and activities in eco-tourism projects. -Training on “Motivating tourism employees to act as champions for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection”. Pilot training organized in Gambia in April 2013, replicated in Tanzania (March 2014) and Ghana (May 2014). New activities after MTE

-Cameroon: Tree planting activities carried out in demo sites. -Gambia: Tourism & Biodiversity training, and waste management (recycling – manure, crafts). -Ghana: Conservation fee charged for turtle watching; conservation component included in guide training; Tourism & Biodiversity training. -Kenya: community members trained to produce souvenirs from solid waste. -Nigeria: Awareness raising on protection of wildlife and mangrove. -Tanzania: Mangrove conservation & replanting; Tourism & Biodiversity training. New environmental activities

Objectives Biodiversity Seminars To analyse in a participatory manner the main threats to biodiversity and the environment in the destination, in particular those threats caused by activities of local people or enterprises. To provide guidance to local people that are (self-) employed in the tourism sector on how to act as champions for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in their communities. To provide guidance to tourism employees on how to contribute to environmental management (making optimal use of scarce natural resources) and waste management in their enterprises

Manual Biodiversity Seminar UNWTO prepared a tailor-made manual for the Tourism and Biodiversity seminar, covering the following topics: 1)Tourism and Sustainability 2)Biodiversity 3)Marine and Coastal Biodiversity 4)Environmental Protection 5)Environmental Management (energy, water, waste) 6)A Champion of Biodiversity and Environmental Protection

Outcome seminars Participants got ideas and left motivated to act as champions for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, helping to reduce pressure on the natural environment. In all 3 seminars, participants indicated that the seminars had been very relevant for their professional activities and that it had provided them with good ideas to put into practice. Participants prepared action plans to act as champions for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in their enterprise and community, with first activities in the Gambia starting the weekend after the seminar and continuing throughout the COAST project period (follow- up actions in Ghana and Tanzania to be monitored).

Our challenge is to sustain, expand and replicate the eco-tourism best practices, e.g. through: Active follow-up local authorities and multi- stakeholder platforms Mobilize support to expand activities (US$ 60,000 ST-EP Foundation for Kribi; € 21,000 Europamundo Foundation for Kartong; $ 358,000 for Inhambane) Replicate best practices in other coastal destinations (US$ 73,000 Travel Foundation and ST-EP Foundation for Mombasa, Kenya) and integrate components in new project proposals (responsible tourism proposal for Benin and Senegal; High Impact Tourism Training proposal for Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania) Sustaining, expanding & replicating

Thank you! Marcel Leijzer Programme Coordinator Technical Cooperation & Services Visit us at unwto.org

1.Which steps need to be taken to help define a successful ecotourism project that contributes to building sustainable livelihoods and protecting the environment? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

2.What type of biodiversity based eco-tourism products can be developed by local people/enterprises in coastal destinations? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

3.Which marketing activities have proven to be successful when marketing eco-tourism products managed by small and community based tourism enterprises? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

4.Which ST-EP mechanisms offer the highest potential to help enhance the local economic impact from tourism? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

5.Can tourism development help encourage local stakeholders to protect the environment and biodiversity in a destination? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

6.Which support can the government (Ministry, Tourism Board, district authority) provide to successfully develop and promote coastal areas as tourism destinations? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

7.Which advisory and capacity building activities have made an essential contribution to enable local people to generate increased income from tourism? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

8.How can we ensure that eco- tourism projects have a high return-on-investment? Panel discussion – Ecotourism

9.How can we sustain, expand and replicate the results that have been achieved in the COAST eco-tourism projects? Panel discussion – Ecotourism