This presentation by Sue Snyman was delivered at the 'Concessioning tourism opportunities in conservation areas and maximising rural development' workshop, held in Maputo between 19-22 March 2012 (Day 2, Session 6, Integrating sustainability)

1. Concessions and sustainability in southern
Africa: Wilderness Safaris
Sue Snyman
sues@wilderness.co.za
International Workshop on Tourism Concessions in
Southern Africa
Maputo, Mozambique, 19-22 March 2012
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Sustainability issues integrated into the Initiatives to promote sustainability
concessions process
• EIAs and EMPs for any new/expansion projects Sharing and A strong
– Includes social, economic and environmental aspects respecting local financial
culture with foundation is
guests is as critical to the
• Materials for building important as overall health of
– Sourcing sharing wildlife a business.
– Local materials experiences.
– Local labour
– Culturally appropriate Without a Social equity or
– Minimum environmental impact sustainable fair community
base to the engagement is
product (camps ethical and also
• Sustainable processes during operation and wildlife) one good business
– Training won’t have a sense.
– EMS & alternative forms of energy business.
– Equitable, empowering community engagements
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Initiatives to promote sustainability
• Conservation/Environmental
– Conservation of biodiverse areas Conservation - Biodiversity
– Solar projects & water initiatives
– Minimise environmental impact
– Reduce overall carbon footprint
– Environmental education (guests/staff/community)
• Social
– Community partnerships
– Philanthropy/Donations
– Staff training/development and empowerment
– Cultural activities
– Ethics Charter & Codes of Conduct for Cultural Tourism
• Economic
– Budgets
– Consolidations & partnerships
– Brand awareness & strengthening
– Marketing (social media)
…there is no Wilderness without
– Use of local suppliers of goods and services the wilderness
– Alternative forms of energy (solar)
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2. Protecting and restoring habitats
Water bodies
Before
Ensure that there are no significant negative impacts on these bodies
After Minimise water usage through collection buckets in solar showers &
…maximise the conservation and tourism value education…most camps (70%) rely on borehole water
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Conservation – Environmental management systems
Biodiversity inventory Commitment to energy efficiency
Solar powered
camps
solar geysers
… need to properly understand the …batteries and inverters
ecosystems in which one operates reduce generator use
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Bottled Water
Waste water discharges
Different types of sewage
treatment are used:
•Septic tanks with soakaways
•Above ground sewage plants
Solid waste
•Recycle wherever possible
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3. Environmental Impact Initiatives to promote sustainability
Management • Conservation/Environmental
– Conservation of biodiverse areas
…minimise negative impacts and maximise positive impacts – Solar projects & water initiatives
– Minimise environmental impact
– Reduce overall carbon footprint
– Environmental education (guests/staff/community)
• Social
– Community partnerships
– Philanthropy/Donations
– Staff training/development and empowerment
– Cultural activities
– Ethics Charter & Codes of Conduct for Cultural Tourism
• Economic
– Budgets
– Consolidations & partnerships
– Brand awareness & strengthening
– Marketing (social media)
– Use of local suppliers of goods and services
…Group Environmental Minimum Standards – Alternative forms of energy (solar)
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Internal community External community
• Employment: employ nearly 2 500 people
• Skills training and development – including Lobster Inc.
• Scholarships
• Staff welfare
• HIV/AIDS programme (Wellness)
• Environmental education & awareness …develop positive and constructive
engagements with neighbouring
communities
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External Communities
Tourism activities and culture
Formal
•Contractual relationships e.g. joint ventures
and lease agreements
•Wages and salaries
•Lease fees and community levies
•Training and skills development
•Social welfare improvements for staff, e.g.
HIV/AIDS programme
Informal
•Environmental education: Children in the
Wilderness & Wilderness Angels
•Feeding schemes
•Curio sales to guests
•Improved infrastructure: roads, comm. etc.
•Empowerment impacts – involvement in local
decision making
•Scholarship programmes …various cultural activities incorporated into the guest experience
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4. Initiatives to promote sustainability
Commerce
• Conservation/Environmental
– Conservation of biodiverse areas
– Solar projects & water initiatives
– Minimise environmental impact
– Reduce overall carbon footprint
– Environmental education (guests/staff/community)
• Social
– Community partnerships
– Philanthropy/Donations
– Staff training/development and empowerment
– Cultural activities
– Ethics Charter & Codes of Conduct for Cultural Tourism
• Economic
– Budgets
– Consolidations & partnerships
– Brand awareness & strengthening
– Marketing (social media)
– Use of local suppliers of goods and services
– Alternative forms of energy (solar) …mobilises the resources needed to make interventions
and contributions to long-term sustainability
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Case Study: Kalahari Plains Camp, Botswana What has worked well
• 100% Solar • Cost savings e.g. generator fuel
• Rain-water tanks
• Incorporates traditional walks: culture • Retention of staff
• Payments to National Parks: conservation
• Environmental awareness & conservation – guests,staff &
• Waste removal & recycling communities
• Decommissioning with minimal impact
• Overall sustainability of business
• Partnerships with communities (e.g. Namibia) –
empowerment & development
• Integrated report – brand awareness; awards; recognition
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Challenges
• Getting operations to see the value of all aspects of sustainability
THANK YOU
& integrating into the business
• Cost of alternative forms of energy
• Cost of on-going skills training and development
• Time & cost issues related to maintaining community
partnerships and engagements
• Achieving breakeven occupancies in niche camps
• Monitoring and collecting accurate, reliable, comparable data for
reporting
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