Potential Impacts of Ecotourism on Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management A Social Enterprise Approach. Presented by: Dr.

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1 Potential Impacts of Ecotourism on Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management A Social Enterprise Approach Presented by: Dr. Don Hawkins

2 Why Ecotourism for alternative livelihoods? Tourism supports 10% of all economic activity on the planet and 8% of all global employment Sustainable tourism is growing 3x faster than the tourism industry overall Tourism employs natural and cultural assets as capital Tourism provides incentive to preserve and conserve natural and cultural assets Tourism is a labor intensive activity that provides alternative livelihoods for local communities neighboring protected areas

3 Ecotourism s Importance to Protected Areas Tourists demand places that are unpolluted and free from waste. Many tourists also appreciate the wildlife and flora around them In a recent survey of highvolume tourism companies, many reported that large numbers of their clients take excursions to see wildlife at some point during their holidays. Biodiversity is a main component of specialist holidays, whether based on scuba diving around coral reefs or on wildlife watching. Convention on Biological Diversity, 2007 Tourists are drawn to biologically diverse areas Tourism is often the only non-extractive economic option in and around protected areas According to a World Bank study, natural capital accounts for 26% of total wealth in low-income countries

4 Addressing Conservation Threats with Ecotourism Target resource extractors with sustainable tourism employment Develop voluntary or mandatory protected area user fees Develop PA or conservationthemed brands and merchandise Global Warming Lack of Visitor Conservation Awareness Lack of Monitoring & Research Lack of Tourism Regulations & Guidelines Unsustainable Tourism Development Lack of Conservation Funding Indirect Threats Lack of Economic Alternatives Coral Bleaching Visitor Disturbance (coral breakage, sunscreen pollution) Dive/Snorkel Boat Anchor Damage Sedimentation Lack of Infrastructure (trash bins, trash pick up services) Lack of Local Conservation Awareness Direct Threats Unsustainable Forestry, Flora & Fauna Coral Mortality Solid Waste Pollution Nutrient Pollution Target Condition Destination Species Habitat Protected Area

5 Social Enterprise: social mission driven organizations which apply market-based strategies to achieve a social purpose. 5

6 The movement includes both non-profits that use business models to pursue their mission and for-profits whose primary purposes are social

7 Examples of Social Enterprises

8 Today s development challenges are complex

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12 We need business led solutions like ecotourism

13 How To: Inclusive Business Approach Established companies offer marketing support to enterprises in exchange for their adoption of sustainability criteria, environmental best practices, or other forms of direct conservation support Improved marketing & promotion Training & technical assistance Increased sales & revenue Sustainability criteria / best practices Financial or in-kind support Quality assurance

14 Ecotourism Social Enterprise Case Studies

15 Pearls of Uganda Local communities were seen as the biggest threats to conservation due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities Supported the creation of 18 Ecotourism Social Enterprises that were committed to addressing conservation threats Developed a marketing and sales program to connect enterprises to over 30 private tourism companies 60% increase in revenue in targeted social enterprises over 2 years

16 Bale Mountain Ecolodge, Ethiopia Local communities were seen as the biggest threats to conservation due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities The lack of visitor services and accommodations to attract visitor spending Worked with the Government of Ethiopia to create a concession policy to enable impact investments Developed feasibility studies and attracted $1 million in impact investments to build an ecolodge Lodge is under construction and anticipated to employ 75+ local community members

17 Choco Community Tours, Colombia Local communities were seen as the biggest threats to conservation due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities Created an alliance of 4 different ecotourism social enterprises that were unable to reach the market Provided training and technical assistance to create multi-day tours and packages Developed a marketing and sales partnership with a tour operator to help implement marketing strategy and manage reservations

18 Strategy to support Ecotourism Social Enterprises in Myanmar

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21 Myanmar Recommendations 1. Identify & nurture ecotourism social enterprise entrepreneurs &impact investment funds 2. Create social enterprise ecotourism incubators to assist with business planning, training, and access to capital & markets 3. Develop partnerships between social enterprises and their communities & clients) to support protected area management and conservation strategies. 4. Create mechanisms to mobilize scientific, academic, volunteer and educational (SAVE) domestic, regional and international resources 5. Integrate ecotourism social enterprises into Myanmar s destination marketing and energy efficiency/green economy initiatives