Community Based Tourism in Namibia Presentation By Maxi Louis 28 April April 2005

Contents 1.Background 2.What is CBT? 3.Principles of CBT 4.What’s happening? 5.Challenges 6.Questions / comments

Background Rural areas - shared resourcesRural areas - shared resources Conservation linkConservation link Poverty alleviation linkPoverty alleviation link Empowerment of rural communitiesEmpowerment of rural communities

What is CBT? Lodges Tours Info & bookings Guides Craft Cultural Trophy hunting Campsites

Principles of CBT Environmental Contributes meaningfully to conservation of the resources it usesContributes meaningfully to conservation of the resources it uses Environmentally sound design and operation (EIA and EMP)Environmentally sound design and operation (EIA and EMP) Development fits into planning frameworksDevelopment fits into planning frameworksSocial Employment preference to localsEmployment preference to locals Encourages local ownership and managementEncourages local ownership and management Works in harmony with local structuresWorks in harmony with local structuresEconomic Based on sound business case with proven market demandBased on sound business case with proven market demand Business plans developedBusiness plans developed Management / ownership based on accepted best practiceManagement / ownership based on accepted best practice

What the tourist / tour operator needs Small Enterprise Development – current situation UNSUSTAINABLE CBTEs SUSTAINABLE CBTEs Most CBTEs Unsustainable In 2003 Required shift Owned and managed by conservancy / community appointed manager (no incentives / autonomy) Not entrepreneurial. Individual empowerment Owned by conservancy but management based on skills, competency, incentives and clear agreements (could be out-sourced if appropriate) Entrepreneurial Conservancy Committee (CC) empowerment Sustainable CBTEs In future  Quality product  Well managed CC manages the person CC manages the agreement What the tourist / operator needs Minimum standard required by tourism industry

What’s happening in CBT? Guiding at rock art sites BrandbergBrandberg TwyfelfonteinTwyfelfontein

What’s happening in CBT? Campsites – new developments GrootbergGrootberg NambwaNambwa Bum HillBum Hill OmbalantuOmbalantu

Campsite upgrades PurosPuros N//goabaca (Popa Falls)N//goabaca (Popa Falls) KubunyanaKubunyana

Tourist information UisUis AusAus

Cultural attractions and craft Tsandi HomesteadTsandi Homestead King Nehale cultural centreKing Nehale cultural centre

Cultural attractions and craft Maltahöhe School ChoirMaltahöhe School Choir Puros Cultural VillagePuros Cultural Village

Summary Currently 34 active small CBT enterprisesCurrently 34 active small CBT enterprises N$5 million in turnover in 2003N$5 million in turnover in rural jobs created300 rural jobs created 100,000 visitors annually100,000 visitors annually 29 enterprises with business plans29 enterprises with business plans All active enterprises promoted on websiteAll active enterprises promoted on website Booking and information service providedBooking and information service provided Increased awarenessIncreased awareness

Lodges Partnerships with conservancies 10 Active lodge partnerships in place

Trophy hunting 10 conservancies with hunting agreements10 conservancies with hunting agreements N$2.5 million in benefits to conservancies (2003)N$2.5 million in benefits to conservancies (2003)

Challenges Some tour operators are not working through local structuresSome tour operators are not working through local structures Tourism awareness for broader Namibian community still a necessityTourism awareness for broader Namibian community still a necessity Benefit distribution systems not well entrenchedBenefit distribution systems not well entrenched Confusion between ownership and managementConfusion between ownership and management Absence of exclusion rights devalues community tourism assetsAbsence of exclusion rights devalues community tourism assets

Questions / comments

Thank you!