1. Sustainable Tourism in Namibia By Akotowaa

2. Sustainable Tourism Preserves natural environment Respects culture of the locals Guarantees livelihood of locals

3. Some facts about Namibia  Most arid country south of the Sahara Desert  Receives 258 millimeters of rain a year.  Very low population density – about 2 people per kilometer.  Three topographical zones:  Western Coastal zone – home of Namib Desert  Eastern Desert Zone  Semi-arid central plateau  Desertification is a barrier to economic progress  300 days of sunshine a year – great for tourism.

5. How Important is Tourism in Namibia?

6. Contributing factors to Namibia’s Economy Mining Eg. Diamonds Agriculture and Fishing Constitutes 40% of country’s GDP Tourism Grown steadily since Namibia’s Independence in 1990

7. Namibia’s Main Attractions Natural EnvironmentDiverse CulturesArchaeological Sites

8. Natural Environment  40% of wildlife located in protected and communal areas.  Commercial farms on private lands contain majority of the wildlife.  Privately-owned semi-arid to arid range lands have multimillion-pound industries based on  Viewing of game animals  Controlled destruction/ trophy hunting  (Trophy hunting: Selective hunting of wild game animals)

9. Namibia’s Tourism Bodies Ministry for the Environment and Tourism Monitors impact of tourism on the environment Concerned with land degradation/desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity etc Namibia Tourism Board Regulating aspects of the tourist industry Eg accommodation, transport, catering Namibia Community Based Tourism Association Provides funding for new ventures Ensures that money raised from tourism reaches local community

10. Issues Faced vs UN Environmental Program Recommendations Issues  Overconsumption of resources  Tourists consume up to 3 times water of local people  Demands for hot water uses a lot of fuelwood  Low carrying capacity of desert environments  High waste output  Looting of paintings and engravings UNEP Recommendations  Use alternatives to fuelwood  Use purified water instead of mineral water in plastic bottles  Use dry toilets, burn toilet paper  Use biodegradable detergent  Tourists take their non-biodegradable waste home  Forbidding flash photography etc

11. Issues Faced vs UN Environmental Program Recommendations Issues  Tourists’ disrespectful behaviour  Eg, in the way they dress  Use of offensive gestures  Intrusive photography  Restricting locals’ access to grazing land and water, where resources are under pressure UNEP Recommendations  Produce should be bought from local communities  Encourage intercultural understanding  Provide language training  Draw on expertise and knowledge of local communities

12. Responsible tourism at the local scale Himba people of Kaokoland

13. About Kaokoland  In Northern Namibia  40 000 km 2  Less than 30 000 inhabitants  Himba people: semi-nomadic, pastoral population  Pastoral: Relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle. (Pastures)  Main food: cow milk, meat  Cattle are the main symbol of wealth

14. Himba people

15.  Huts made from tree saplings mixed with mud and dung  Surrounded by animal pens  Wear traditional dresses  Speak local language  Follow traditional behavioural codes  Attracted many anthropologists  Lifestyle probably related to their geographical location

16. Himba people

17.  Plaster skin and hair with butter and ash for protection against the sun, and youthful looks  Wear elaborate jewellery  Intricate weaving of hair

18. How Himba reflects sustainable tourism  Maintaining the culture of the local people  Language  Dressing  Hunting  Food  Tourists have not interfered with the locals or the environment

19. Damaraland

21. Accommodation at Damaraland Camp  Damaraland was named by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2005 as the winner of the Tourism Tomorrow Conservation Award  Award recognizes and promotes practices in responsible tourism  Camp is run by local Damara people, and western operator Wilderness Safaris  Set up in 1996  Camp consists of tents on wooden platforms, shaded and open to breeze  Verandahs have a view of the Haub River Valley and the mountains  Game is driven into the valley

23. Accommodation at Damaraland Camp  Food is eaten in a dining area of local stone and canvas  Plunge pool for guests  Sustains itself without donor funding  Profits go to  mobile clinics,  educational materials,  running water,  Anti-poaching patrols. (Poaching: illegal hunting of game)  10% income goes back onto the communities from Wilderness Safaris  Populations in conservancy have doubled since 1996.

25. More Helpful Sites  http://www.mdgfund.org/program/sustainableculturaltourismnamibia http://www.mdgfund.org/program/sustainableculturaltourismnamibia  http://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/namibia-s-sustainable-tourism-success http://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/namibia-s-sustainable-tourism-success