THE PROSPECT OF SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CASE STUDY OF SIERRA LEONE

1. THE PROSPECT OF SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CASE STUDY OF SIERRA LEONE BY: LAMEED GBOLAGADE, A. STEPHEN SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND HORTICULTURE NJALA UNIVERSITY, SIERRA LEONE. PRESENTED ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2010; AT THE FORUM ORGANISED BY: Sustainable & Thriving Environments for West African Regional Development (STEWARD)

2. DEFINITION • Ecotourism: also known as ecological tourism. It is responsible travel to fragile pristine and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale • The Australia commission on National Ecotourism strategy calls it: “nature based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environmental and is managed to be ecologically sustainable” • Ecotourism is a sector of tourism, based on nature travel and including the principles of sustainability. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as: “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.” ECOTOURISM +ve impact on both natural areas Forest Ecosystem Protected PAs Park Ecosystem Areas Local communities Indigenes Livelihood

3. Patterns of Eco-tourism Nature tourism Non-ecotourism 50% Cultural tourism 13% Sustainable Tourism Beach tourism 78% City tourism 76%

4. What is sustainable tourism? • The principles of sustainability can be applied to any type of tourism – • (WTO) declared in 1988 that sustainable tourism is "envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.”

5. Aims For Making Tourism Sustainable Economic Viability Environmental Purity: Local Prosperity Resource Efficiency Employment Quality Biological Diversity Social Equity Physical Integrity Visitor Fulfillment Rural Richness Local Control Community Wellbeing 12 AIMS

6. Components of Ecotourism • Contribute to the conservation of biodiversity • Sustain the well being of the local people • Include an interpretation and learning experience • Involve responsible action on part of the tourist and tourism industry • Is delivered primarily to small group by small scale business • Requires lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources • Stresses local participation, ownership and business opportunities, particularly for rural people

7. ECOTOURISM AS A MARKET SEGMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM ACTIVITIES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM BUSINESS TRAVELL BEACH TOURISM RURAL TOURISM NATURE TOURISM Ecotourism CULTURAL TOURISM

8. MARKET SEGMENT OF ECOTOURISM Business tourism Cultural tourism Nature tourism Sun and Beach tourism Fitness and Health tourism Rural tourism ECOTOURISM ADVENTURE TOURISM Tourism Market

9. The Global Impact of (Eco)tourism • Worldwide tourism grow phenomenally, from 25 million arrival in 1950 to 808 million in 2005 (UNWTO, 2006) • With annual growth rate of 6.5% • Tourist arrival in Africa is 37million (5% of the world) • As compared to 55% in Europe, 19% in Asia / Pacific, 16 % in America and 5% in Middle East • Tourism generate significant amount of Foreign Exchange Earnings • Also contribute to Economic growth of many Nations • The contribution of (eco)tourism to economic growth and development is reflected in the form of exports • It represents 40 percent of all exports of services, therefore making it one of the largest categories of international trade (UNWTO, 2006) • It is the only service industry where there is a growing positive balanceof trade flowing from the developed countries to the poorest nations (Developing countries).

10. Developing Countries (Africa) Experience: SUCH INGREDIENT OF GROWTH HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVELY HARNESSED IN MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH EXCEPTION OF SOME PARTS, SUCH AS EAST AND SOUTH AFRICAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS TANZANIA, KENYA, BOSWANIA AND GAMBIA ECOTOURISM CONTRIBUTE MASSIVELY TO THE EAST AFRICAN ECONOMY ECOTOURISM IN TANZANIA AND KENYA WORTHS US $2 BILLION ANNUALLY THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TANZANIA IS EXPECTED TO RISE FROM 580,000 IN 2004 TO ONE MILLION IN 2010. ALSO EACH YEAR TOURISTS SPEND US $500,000 TO VISIT LAKE NATRON, THE ONLY SUCCESSFUL EAST AFRICAN NEST INGAND BREEDING GROUND FOR LESSER FLAMINGOS.

11. WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES CASE STUDY • The tourism sector accounted for 3 % to 10% of the GDP of developing countries (UNWTO, 2005). • It is a viable export-oriented economic growth strategy • Help bring jobs and development to the people and • reduction of abject poverty. • Despite its increasing importance in West African economies, however, tourism has attracted relatively little attention • cross-country rates of growth and development have largely focused on the contributions of exports from the agricultural, minerals/oil mining, and manufacturing sectors, rather than those of the service industry (Ecotourism).

12. Ecotourism in West Africa is mainly based on remnant Forest or Protected Areas available • This has been plague with widespread rainforest clearing, poaching and growing human population • Most of the countries are also affected by growing political instability, armed conflict, poverty, disease and corruption (Brown, Weaver 1998) • A few West African countries have developed indigenous ecotourism ventures • Supported by conservation NGO’s, aid groups, local tourism and Park Protected Area agencies

13. Some Sampled Countries GHANA • Ghana Community Based Ecotourism Project (CBEP)started in 1995 has a collaborative venture between Nature Conservation Research Centre(NCRC), Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and 14 Local communities • Visitors revenue at these 14 ecotourism sites doubled in 2003 with four operators featuring the sites • Ghana Ministry of Tourism gave priority to ecotourism as a key sector to alleviate poverty in such rural areas. • Key sustainability criteria were community ownership structures, distributing benefits, involving youth and women, carrying capacity, poverty alleviation and conservation • These were underpinned by funding support through loan and grants • Other ecotourism projects that enjoyed the same privilege in Ghana are Amasuri Wetland, TafiAtome Monkey Sanctuary and Kakum Canopy work way

14. GAMBIA • Bird watching generate nearly a third of ecotourism revenue (Stratton 2004) • Government has designed seven protected areas to serve as sanctuary for birds and other wildlife • Gambia has 570 Bird species and local communities are protecting the habitat • Key bird species supported by the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA) • Tourists are charged 25 Dalasi per head to enter the reserve while the community retaining 12 dalasi • Other key ecotourism centres in Gambia are Makasutu cultural Forest, TumaniTenda Eco-camp and Bansang Quarry where the local community is protecting Red throated monkey

15. SENEGAL • The Senegal Ministry of Tourism and National Commission on Sustainable Development has promoted ecotourism since 1997. • These include: Eco-village study programme organized through the EcoYoff Center in the city of Dakar and village based eco-tourism Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in the Senegal river Delta. • The Casamance village tourism also receive support from French Ornithologists (NGO), with availability of tourism accommodation facilities of beds, vehicles, and staff equipment

16. NIGER • The last giraffe population in West Africa is found in Kuore Region of Niger, 40 km East of the capital Niamey. • The Giraffe live year round with farming community & domestic cattle • The free roaming giraffe damage crops and the farmers drove them away, but were not permitted to kill them • Because the giraffe conservation project funded by EU and Netherland Development Agencies supported local farmers and herders • Tourists visiting the place pay local guide there by contributing to the local development project • The number increased yearly, but due to recent incidence of drought and famine, their population have been affected.

17. OTHERS • Time will not permit to talk about NIGERIA, IVORY COAST,CAMEROON etc. Tai National Park Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Organization 2 Bird Sanctuaries, 7 National Parks, 36 Forest Reserves and 16 Game Reserves

18. ECO-TOURISTIC POTENTIALS IN SIERRA LEONE Figure B: Political Maps of the Country indicating the Regions Figure A: Protected Areas Location within the Country (Sierra Leone) Figure C: Road Network and major Important Towns within the Country

19. BASIC ELEMENT OF ECOTOURISM IN SIERRA LEONE • Sierra Leone still conjures with images of the country's decade-long civil war and subsequent war crimes trials. • Filippo Bozotti, co-founder of Tribewanted, told CNN,: “Ecotourism is the perfect project for Tribewanted to partner up with the local community for sustainable development • "As tourism is still a developing industry in Sierra Leone, • the beaches are not overwhelmed with visitors which means that most are still in pristine condition • on a weekday you could have an amazing beach entirely to yourself.“ • years after the end of the war, hope is that tourism will be the key to future prosperity of the country. The project hopes to attract tourists paying $450 a week Sustainable tourist’s village on the beach. John Obey Beach

20. OUTLOOK OF ECO-TOURISM • Eco-tourism in Sierra Leone is in a period of rapid transition • the country holds a variety of tourist attractions • these offer potential investors tremendous possibilities and opportunities • Even though many forests and much wildlife were either disturbed or destroyed during the civil war between 1991 and 2002, • the government is aware of the importance of conserving and protecting the environment • The Sierra Leone National Tourist Board (SLNTB) continue to develop the country’s travel and tourism industry • travel and tourism industry is still at a developing stage, • There is long-term advantage by exploiting international tourism. • The success of these objectives has resulted in tourists renewing their interest in the country with arrival numbers • The number of tourist arrivals was up by 3% in 2009. • Although nowhere near the peak of the 1980s and early 1990s tourism boom

21. THE POTENTIALS • Sierra Leone is fortunate to have several primary attractions with international market potential • The Western Peninsula with 40 kilometers of pristine • Beaches • forested mountains • good access to Freetown, • excellent climate • beautiful scenery • just a 4-5hour flight from Europe, • good potential to compete for the winter European adventure/beach market • country can begin to recover its tourism economy by tapping into the “Social and Environmental Responsibility Economy”: (SERE)

22. THE PROTECTED AREAS (PAs) In Sierra Leone: • There are more than 30 Forest Reserves • 5 Game Reserves • 2 Game Sanctuaries • 6 National Parks • 4 Non-hunting Forest Reserves • 9 Strict Nature Reserves • 1 Wetland of International Importance

23. Forest Reserves

24. Forest Reserves Continues

25. Game Reserves

26. [Game Sanctuaries National Parks

27. Non-Hunting Forest Reserves

28. Strict Nature Reserves

29. Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar)

30. EXPOSITION OF SOME PAs TIWAI FOREST RESERVE • Tiwai is a wildlife sanctuary of profound ecological importance • one of the last remaining tracts of Upper Guinean Congolese Rainforest • Established in 1979 as a research centre by leading primatologist, John Oates • HISTORY: late 1800’s widowed ‘Queen Nyarroh’ of Barri Chief of Koya (opposite Moa river) • just 12 sq km in size: • host to 11 primate species, • over 135 bird species, • numerous butterfly species • at least 627 known plant species • home to the extremely rare and elusive pygmy hippopotamus

31. Some Touristic Facilities & Species at Tiwai Island Tree and Land Pangolin Camp Tent Facilities and Boating Yellow Barked Duiker Senegal King Fisher Common Bulbul West African thrush

32. Outamba-Kilimi National Park • Located at the extreme north, about 296 km north of Freetown • lies adjacent to the border with the Republic of Guinea, • in the Tambakha Chiefdom, Bombali District, Northern province • Consist of two areas: • Outamba (74,100 ha) • Kilimi (36,800 ha), separated by a stretch of land 1000 km 2 in size. • vegetation is characterised by a mosaic of grassland, closed woodland and gallery forest • Outamba has a predominance of tall grasses and woodland, and patches of closed canopy forest • Kilimi has more grassland and more open woodland • Outamba has a perennial lake, Lake Idrissa • The region is drained by several streams Mongo and Little Scarcies • flow into large rivers of national importance Great Scarcies at Kilimi The Outamba-Kilimi National Park is an attraction for its chimpanzee population

33. Baboon Some Touristic Facilities & Species at OKNP Western Elephant Boating facility Savanna Buffalo Black and White Colobus Monkey Leopard

34. GOLA FOREST • Endowed with significant biodiversity richness • Endemic amphibians, elephants, hippos, birds, plants, etc. • A number of unique habitats such as forests, gallery forest, swamp forest and farm bushes. • Potential effectiveness of trans boundary/peace park management • being regarded as hotspot in the Upper Guinea Forest • Gola Forest comprises 74,800 Hectares of primary and secondary rainforest habitat • Home to dozens of endangered and rare species, and is an essential migration corridor • This is a priority area for biodiversity conservation in the Upper Guinea Forest Zone • The key forest conservation area in Sierra Leone, • Representing 50 percent of the country’s remaining Upper Guinea Lowland Rainforest • RSPB and CSSL help to achieve some of the protected area objectives

35. Baboon Baboon Baboon Baboon Baboon Baboon Baboon Some Touristic Facilities & Species at Gola Forest Yellow fronted duicker Baboon Hare Golla Forest Ecosystem Yellow backed duicker Leopard

36. Tacugama Chimpanze Sanctury • Situated outside of the pictureque regent village • 30 minutes drive from Freetown • Located along the Regent/Bathurst mountain road, • It is sanctuary for orphaned and habituated chimpanzees • a refuge for human visitors as well • 3 eco-huts for overnight stays, • perfect place for those wishing to escape the heat and hustle of Freetown • The Sanctuary offers self-catering accommodation in the form of 3 beautifully crafted lodges

37. Eco-huts for overnight stays

38. Banana Island • Situated southwest of the Freetown Penisulla • The Islands are about a 20 minutes boat ride from Kent • offer good opportunities for snorkeling and fishing • a canoe trip around the Island • options for accommodation is Banana Island Guest House • this lodge is owned and operated by the Banana Island Youth Association • providing sustainable livelihoods to the island’s inhabitants

39. Banana Island Guest House

40. No 2 River Forest Reserve • One of the most popular tourism destinations along the Freetown peninsula • No 2 River is about 14 km form Freetown • a non hunting forest reserve within the Western Area Forest (WAF) • many of the local residents depend on the forest resources for survival. • The coastal location of this village provides a scenic back drop to the Atlantic Ocean • making the village a favoured tourist destination

41. RESEARCH FINDINGS ON ECO-TOURISM AT PAs’ IN SIERRA LEONE Sex Distribution of the Tourists Tourists’ attraction to the Protected Areas

42. Human activities around the Protected Areas Tourists’ nationalities

43. Ecotourism Facilities Provision at the PAs Ecotourism activities by the visitors

44. NEGATIVE IMPACT OF TOURISM • Ecotourism is the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry in the country • growing annually by 10-15% worldwide (Miller, 2007). • STANDARD:“the practice of low-impact, educational, ecologically and culturally sensitive travel that benefits local communities and host countries” (Honey, 1999). BUT • Many of the ecotourism projects are not meeting these standards • eco-tourism often causes conflict and • changes in land-use rights, • fails to deliver promises of community-level benefits, • damages environments, and • has plenty of other social impacts.

45. Other Negative Impact Effect Impact Direct environmental impacts population pressures from ecotourism disturb fauna and flora contributing to soil impaction, erosion, and plant damage scare away animals, disrupt their feeding and nesting sites increasing the risk of inbreeding and further endangering the species

46. IMPACTS ON NATIVE/INDIGENES Local people Indigenous culture illegally lost their homes, harsh climates, poor soils, lack of water Effect on health (AIDS/HIV) lack of economic opportunities destructive markets in wildlife souvenirs struggle for cultural survival and freedom of cultural expression

47. Ecotourism Regulation and Recommendations • There is need for a national or international regulatory board which would enforce accreditation procedures, • By differentiating ecotourism companies based on their level of environmental commitment • The decisions of the board would be sanctioned on hotels, tour operators, travel agents, guides, airlines, local authorities, conservation organizations, and non-governmental organizations • An environmental protection strategy must address the issue of ecotourism • from the cause-and-effect of their actions on the environment • Tour guides should be available as obvious and direct medium to communicate awareness • Increasing the contributions of communities to locally managed ecotourism

49. Other Recommendations • Ecotourism should be adopted as a sustainable development strategy for balancing economic and conservation objectives • National Tourism Board should consider working directly with the Ecotourism centers (PAs) for development • The government of Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone Roads Authority should fast track the road construction to attract more tourists • Maintenance of potential ecotourism attractions such as trails, beach and den of animals should be rehabilitated with strict monitoring mechanisms • Forest/Park guards should be provided with equipment uniforms boots, motor bikes, walky-talky, GPS, camera, binocular etc to ensure effective monitoring of the forest/Park reserve. • Private ownership and investors (either local or international) should be encouraged to support ecotourism industry.

50. AWU SIE – WO LO FA YANMA THANK YOU FOR LISTENING