Sustainable tourism project

CAMPFIRE project in Zimbabwe

Tourism in Zimbabwe - Background

• There has been a rapid increase in visitors in recent years. During the first quarter of 1998, the number of visitors increased by 71%. However income only increased by 23%.
• Attractions include Victoria falls, the Zambeizi valley, Hwange National Park, and the Great Zimbabwe monument.
• Sporting attractions include golf courses, trout fishing, hunting and horse riding.
• Year round good weather, un-crowded areas and new adventure resorts is attracting many people.
• Tourism based on the environment, both natural and man-made is highly susceptible to degradation.
• Limited money is used to look after resources.
• In 1997, Zimbabwe had 1,894,000 visitors bringing in £154 million. Tourism is therefore and important industry for this developing country.

CAMPFIRE project

Drawn up in 1986 by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management.

Objectives were:

•1.                  Long term development, management and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

•2.                  Management by placing custody with the community resdents.

•3.                  Allow communities to benefit directly from exploitation of natural resources.

•4.                  Local people have territorial rights over wildlife in their area.

•5.                  Local people to have legal rights over their own wildlife.

How does it work?

• In Tsholtotsho, safari operators pay a concession fee to operate in the area and half of the trophy (game hunting).
• Matupula safaris encourages people from surrounding villages to bring cafts into the safari camp rather than taking visitors to Victoria falls where there are large numbers of souvenir stalls. It is estimated that an average of £140 per tourist is spent in the local economy.
• By employing and training local people to work in the safari camps and sourcing supplies locally, the local economy expands.
• Money generated from elephant safaris earned the Tsholotsho district over £570,000 between 1990 and 1992.
• Revenue generated from tourism goes to the local village or ward which then decides how the money should be spent.
  
  
• Infrastructure developments funded by the new revenue includes:
• Ø Installation of boreholes with engines for clean water.
• Ø Pre-school, school and health clinic developments
• Ø Fencing of arable land to protect against pests.
• Ø Small dam/pan construction to supply water for people & wildlife.
• Ø Road development.
• Ø Maintenance funds for electric fences.

Money is also used to buy food during periods of drought.

The Future is less certain. Due to political instability, much of the work is under threat. Find out more at: http://abbeyfieldhumanities.blogspot.com/2009/01/tourism-under-threat-in-zimbabwe.html

D.Drake 2009