1 Eco-tourism: A Potential adaptation strategy to Climate Change in the Greater Limpopo Basin - Eastern Botswana. N. N. Moswete University of Botswana AF_42

2 Eco-tourism Many areas of the tourism industry rely on the climate and natural / semi-natural environment. Eco-tourism is one of the many types of tourism and is nature based. Hence, all natural tourism resources are likely to be affected by climate change. e.g. fauna

3 Likely impacts of climate on tourism Additional pressures on the wildlife and plants – that the tourists want to see and the places where they live. Hunting of game and waterfowl is likely to feel the impacts of climate change as wildlife may be displaced due to habitat loss or increased competition on food and forage. Recreational fishing may be locally disrupted by lower water levels in rivers and lakes.

4 Cultural Tourism Cultural tourism is now recognized as one of the fastest growing sectors of the international tourism market Tourists are increasingly less interested in showpiece resorts and destinations and are more interested in environmental, cultural, ethnic, heritage and historical features

5 Cultural Tourism Can strengthen ethnic or local survival of rural people by providing new sources of employment and reviving traditional skills. Can revitalise and invigorate local cultures i.e. adapting traditional ways to economic, employment and spectacular requirement of tourism while maintaining cultural integrity

6 Main elements of culture that attract tourists Handicrafts Traditions History of a region Architecture Local food Art and music Ways of life Religion Language Costumes – traditional

7 Main Types of heritage environments Landscape  Arts based  Natural history  and science Sociocultural  Villagescapes, religious buildings, parks and reserves Galleries, concert halls and their performances, art festivals Geomorphological or geological sites (caves, gorges, cliffs, scientific museums) Historic sites, museums of rural or industrial life

8 Aims and Objectives  To document available natural and cultural tourism resources in the Limpopo Basin and assess the extent to which they have been exploited for tourism  To identify tourism trends and determine factors influencing travel and tourism in the Limpopo Basin  To study and assess the nature of cultural heritage tourism and its viability as an adaptation strategy in the Limpopo Basin  Develop awareness of the value of cultural tourism/ecotourism to local communities of the Limpopo Basin  To recommend cultural heritage tourism activities that could be exploited and implemented to minimize adverse impacts of climate change

9 Resource Assessment An inventory and description of the existing cultural and natural environment will be carried out. This will include but will not be limited to the following: existing natural and human attractions, cultural/heritage sites, recreational facilities, public and social services, fauna and flora, (including any rare, endangered, or threatened species), tourist accommodation and any tourism development programme and plans in place. A SWOT analysis i.e. identification and evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the physical and human tourism resources of the region, including Parks, Reserves, Ethnological, Geological and other cultural heritage sites); infrastructure; transport; accommodation; community attitudes and participation in tourism related activity of the area.

10 Resource Assessment Market Analysis of the Limpopo  Past, current and future target markets (International and domestic tourists including market segments such as nature tourists/ecotourists, cultural and heritage tourists, rural tourists etc.  An assessment of the likely positive-negative, qualitative-quantitative, direct indirect, and short-term, long term impacts of climate change on the tourism industry in the Limpopo Basin.

11 Methodology Desktop literature search Field verification survey Oral data collection Mapping available tourism resources via GIS.

12 Total Visitor Arrivals to Botswana ( ) Source: CSO: Visitor Statistics (Various Documents)

13 Source:CSO, 2001 Arrivals by Purpose of Visit and Country of Residence-2001

14 Country of origin Total% Botswana South Africa Zimbabwe Europe America Others Source: Site Visit Record Book Visitor Number to Phuthadikolo Museum (1999 – 2001)

15 Country of origin Total% Botswana South Africa Europe Zimbabwe America Others Visitor Numbers to Matsieng Site ( ) Source: Site Visit – Record Book

16 Examples of Cultural Heritage Sites in the Greater Limpopo Basin