Transboundary Use and Protection of Natural Resources in the SADC region – Tourism Component

Background:

The TUPNR programm focuses on the establishment and sustainable management of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) in the sixteen SADC member states. TFCAs have the substantial potential to meaningfully contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, the preservation of wildlife, and the socio-economic development of rural communities living in and around them. TFCAs are an ideal platform to promote tourism growth in Southern Africa, thereby contributing to employment generation, livelihood diversification and poverty reduction in rural and remote areas adjacent to these major attractions. The tourism sector has a large economic potential and currently contributes to between 0.7% (DRC) -22% (Seychelles) to the national GDP of SADC member states.

Program overall objective: The implementation of SADC protocols and strategies for sustainable natural resource management in TFCAs by local, national and regional actors is improved.

Expected results:

  1. Enhanced tourism policy function of the SADC Secretariat in supporting the Member States through tourism programs, strategies or other policy documents
  2. Institutions involved in the development of sustainable tourism in TFCAs are strengthened, focusing on Boundless Southern Africa
  3. Increased marketing of TFCA tourism destination offerings at regional and Central-European markets
  4. Capacity development of private and public stakeholders to develop public relations content, instruments and approaches to raise awareness about TFCA tourism, including social media and press coverage on TFCA tourism in relevant regional and international publications