Wildlife-based Tourism Research Articles

Contribution of Wildlife-based Tourism to Household Income and Income Inequality: A Case of Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania

This study investigates the contribution of wildlife-based tourism to household income, employment, and income inequality in villages surrounding Burunge WMA. The study used cross-sectional design, focusing on four villages namely Olasiti, Mwada, Minjingu and Sangaiwe. Primary data collection involved a household survey that covered 272 randomly selected households. The questionnaire addressed issues of household social-economic characteristics, main income-generating activities and tourism-related employment. The study employed the Gini coefficient to measure income inequality. The study reveals that wildlife-based tourism provides income opportunities at household level but its contribution to the overall household income is low because only about 15% of sampled households depended on wildlife-based tourism as their main source of income. Agriculture and livestock activities overshadow tourism-related income sources, contributing to significant income inequality within the tourism sector. Recommendations for enhancing economic impact of wildlife based tourism include awareness creation, supporting existing investors, providing targeted sector support, income distribution and encouraging income source diversification.

Estimating the economic multipliers for wildlife-based tourism in Zambia

ABSTRACT We derived 2015 wildlife-based tourism multipliers for the rural area of Zambia where input-output tables (I-OT) are unavailable. To estimate multipliers in a data-poor environment, the national direct requirements coefficients were first derived from the country’s 2010 I-OT. These direct requirements coefficients were re-scaled to rural area region by multiplication with the rural area production percentage shares, while the total requirements coefficients were computed through an inverse matrix conversion (Leontief inverse matrix). This procedure is particularly useful for rural area regions with active wildlife-based tourism, where input-output tables are unavailable, with time and financial resource constraints. The ranges of the derived direct multipliers for output, income, employment and value-added multipliers were 1.10–1.27, 0.04–0.20, 6.01–35.81 and 0.52–0.71, respectively. These estimated multipliers can be used in economic models for measurement of the economic impacts of protected areas is vital for planning and management purposes and for public understanding of wildlife resource values.

Perception and Attitude Towards Wildlife-Based Tourism: Bangladesh Perspective

This study aims to know the prospect of wildlife tourism and measure visitor satisfaction in this market segment. The world tourism industry is proliferating with many changes, and destinations must cope with all these changes that are determined to tourist satisfaction. Bangladesh is an emerging tourism destination and shows immense prosperity in wildlife tourism. This study adopted a quantitative research approach. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data, and 207 questionnaires were selected for further analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. This study shows that tourists are satisfied and interested in wildlife tourism in Bangladesh. The challenge of wildlife tourism today is to develop more marketing strategies to attract more tourists. Wildlife operators must make appropriate connections with other attractions to maximize exposure. Policymakers must consider wildlife conservation and ensure the proper security systems in developing wildlife tourism in Bangladesh.

“Normalising” flying-foxes: a bold vision for improving the public perceptions of our largest and most conspicuous bats

ABSTRACT Negative public attitudes toward particular species can have significant impact on their conservation. Traditional approaches to improving public perceptions of flying-foxes include defending them, encouraging co-existence with them and promoting empathy for them following publicised mortality events. We propose a shift toward “normalising” flying-foxes, in which they are portrayed as interesting species and a natural part of our highly esteemed biodiversity. This has somewhat already begun in a piecemeal fashion, and we provide examples of flying-foxes being represented in a range of formats, including museum and photography exhibitions, public artwork and street décor, books, preschool and school education, wildlife-based tourism and community events. However, there remains paucity in flying-foxes being represented alongside portrayals of Australian wildlife at a broader scale. We suggest that proponents fearing public backlash or impacts on market responses are a likely barrier to seeing flying-foxes being represented more widely; but conclude with hope that current participation in depicting flying-foxes as interesting and part of biodiversity will gain momentum. Ultimately, through normalising flying-foxes, public attitudes adopting their intrinsic value may eventually overshadow the perspectives of flying-foxes connected to contentious issues.

Identifying management strategies for the development of wildlife-based ecotourism: A study case of Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) inhabited the Educational Forest of Hasanuddin University, Maros

The educational forest of Hasanuddin University is intended to be developed as ecotourism spot with various physical and biological tourism attractions including bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus). However, the concrete management strategies required have not been fully explored and examined. This research aimed to identify and formulate management strategies of wildlife-based tourism for bear cuscus in the area by examining bio-ecological of the species and analyzing community’s perceptions and attitudes towards bear cuscus and its conservation in the area. Data on the biology and ecology of A. ursinus and its habitat were gained from literatures while the perceptions were obtained directly from questionnaire distribution to all relevant stakeholders as respondents. SWOT analysis was used and further analyzed by using AHP (Analysis Hierarchy Process) to determine quadrants and priority levels. There were 11 strengths and 4 weaknesses found as internal factors and 5 opportunities and 3 threats for the external. The IFAS matrix score were 1.82 with the weighted total value of 3.29 and the weakness’ score of 1.47. For the EFAS matrix, the total opportunities score was 2.95 and the total threats score of 1.00. The high priority strategy to be implemented in the context of ecotourism management was located in Quadrant I which indicates that the opportunity for the bear cuscus' ecotourism is favorable.

Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism in Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal

Tourism destinations in the world are facing different challenges like natural disasters, conflicts, terrorism, economic crisis, and pandemic affecting the various aspect of international tourism needs. The coronavirus was emerged in Hubai, China at the end of 2019, remained a life-threatening outbreak and a major public health issue. In Nepal, the first case of COVID-19 was seen on January 23, 2020, and as part of the containment strategy suggested by WHO, the Government of Nepal imposed lockdown from March 24, 2020, made policies and regulations to control the national and international border (land & air). The Government also requested its citizens to maintain social distance and restrict the movement of people that has affected the Nepalese tourism sector severely. Chitwan is one of the most important wildlife-based tourism destinations of Nepal after the establishment of Chitwan National Park (CNP) and Sauraha is the main point to enter and visit Chitwan National Park. The tourism sector in Sauraha is also pretentious due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What is the status of tourism in Sauraha before and during the Pandemic? The objective of this study is to know how has COVID-19 impacted on tourism in Sauraha in particular and Chitwan National Park in general. For the research, researchers have adopted a qualitative research approach. Primary and secondary data were collected and interviewed 30 respondents representing various sectors of tourism and hospitality in Sauraha. Findings reveal that the outbreak of pandemic has brought huge negative impact by a rapid shutdown on the tourism industry in Sauraha and this has resulted in the loss of revenue, increase unemployment, frustration, and poverty among local people as well as gave positive things like health awareness, consensus on business, time for training and maintenance of infrastructures, etc.

Avian scavengers' contributions to people: The cultural dimension of wildlife-based tourism

Scavengers provide significant nature's contributions to people (NCP), including disease control through carcass removal, but their non-material NCP are rarely considered. For the first time, we assess the extent and value of the NCP provided by European avian scavengers through a scavenger-based tourism at Pyrenean supplementary feeding sites (SFS). Using a two-step cluster analysis, two different types of visitor were identified (specialist avian scavenger-watchers and generalist nature-lovers) at those SFS offering recreational experiences (n = 20, i.e. birdwatching, educational, or photographic activities). Most visitors (85%) perceived avian scavengers as beneficial NCP providers, associating this guild with non-material NCP (mostly supporting identities), followed by regulating and maintenance of options NCP (<1%). Our findings help to characterize the type of people who participate in scavenger related recreation and to identify and value their perceptions of avian scavengers. There has not been much previous research on positive human-wildlife interactions, even though ignoring people emotional bonds with nature can be perilous for biodiversity conservation.

Husbandry and Herding: A Community-Based Approach to Addressing Illegal Wildlife Trade in Northern Botswana

Illegal bushmeat hunting is a major driver of wildlife population declines in Northern Botswana. Such declines raise concerns about the principles and integrity of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) and regional economic stability which is heavily reliant on wildlife-based tourism. The KAZA landscape between Northern Botswana's protected areas consists of non-state land utilized communally by small agropastoralist communities. These communities are economically challenged by international beef trade policies, restricted access to grazing in nearby wildlife management areas and high conflict costs from living in close proximity to wildlife; some of the key factors identified as drivers of bushmeat hunting in the region. Here we describe how a model called Herding for Health (H4H) could address these drivers. We discuss strategies using a socio-economic centered Theory of Change (ToC) model to identify the role agropastoral communities can have in addressing illegal wildlife trade (IWT). The ToC conceptual framework was developed with input from a resource team consisting of scientific and implementation experts in H4H, wildlife conservation, illegal wildlife trade and livelihood development between September and December 2018, and with a validation workshop in March 2019 with government representatives from relevant ministries, NGO's, community-based organizations and private sector participants. We identify three pathways deriving from the ToC driven by community level actions to address IWT in the region. These include: increasing institutions for local enforcement, developing incentives for ecosystem stewardship and decreasing the costs of living alongside wildlife. The success of these pathways depends on underlying enabling actions: support for the development of institutional frameworks; building community capacity to facilitate informed best farming practices; and strengthening commitments to sustainable resource management to increase resilience to climatic and economic shocks.

Economic valuation of non-material contributions to people provided by avian scavengers: Harmonizing conservation and wildlife-based tourism

Nature's contributions to people (NCP) are fundamental to human well-being. In particular, non-material NCP, defined as effects on personal perspectives which enhance people's quality of life, are currently the most abstract and least well-defined NCP. Avian scavengers are a globally threatened guild that plays a key role in our society but currently only valued for their NCP of disease control and carcass removal. We describe the first economic valuation of the recreational and educational experiences brought by avian scavenger-based tourism in Spain, concretely, at vulture supplementary feeding sites (SFS) in the Pyrenees and their important contribution to the incomes of the local human population. Between February 2018 and January 2020, we collected information on the management and characteristics of 53 (c. 80%) of the Pyrenean SFS using telephone interviews and questionnaires. We estimated that photography and avian scavenger-watching at SFS produce an average of US $4.90 ± 2.67 million annually, including US $2.53 ± 1.36 million in direct economic benefits to the local population. Using a conservative economic approach, this study is one of only a few to value some of the important non-material contribution provided by avian scavengers to our society. Our study also suggests that further research on non-material NCP provided by avian scavengers at SFS is needed. Finally, we discuss the delicate balance between recreational experiences arising from wildlife-based tourism and biodiversity conservation, contrasting the contribution of SFS to the income of local human populations against the problems they raise for vulture conservation.

"I Would Die to See One": A Study to Evaluate Safety Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Among Shark Scuba Divers

Shark diving tourism is an activity that can contribute significantly to coastal economies, while also offering tremendous help to shark conservation efforts. Nevertheless, like any form of wildlife-based tourism, shark diving poses management challenges revolving around ethical and safety considerations. Safety in shark diving normally focuses on operational self-efficacy and adherence to shark diving codes of conduct to prevent incidents such as shark bites and to minimize ecological harm. However, safety issues in shark diving can arise from personal choices to exceed standard certification limits. Any detrimental results are capable of casting doubts on the sustainability of shark diving, thus jeopardizing its future as well as shark conservation. This study addressed compliance with shark diving codes of conduct and standard diving safety by examining the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of people who engage in free scuba diving with predatory sharks. The research made use of mixed methods of data collection, including interviews with shark divers at two popular shark diving destinations in Southeast Africa (n = 86) and an online questionnaire survey among shark divers (n = 89). The results showed that divers had positive attitudes towards sharks and shark diving. However, a notable proportion declared that they had exceeded certification limits and broken codes of conduct during shark diving. In particular, diving experience and being a professional diver were correlated significantly with poor safety attitudes and behavior. The results highlight the need to create an understanding among scuba divers of the connection between shark diving safety and conservation, including the negative implications of safety breaches, whether big or small, for the future of shark diving tourism and of sharks.

Abundant herds: Accumulation, herd management, and land-use patterns in a conservation area

North-eastern Namibia’s Zambezi Region became part of the world’s largest transboundary conservation area in the early 2010s: the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. While wildlife numbers and wildlife-based tourism are increasing rapidly in this conservation zone, cattle herds and livestock-based economies are expanding as well. More than conservation and wildlife-based tourism, cattle husbandry is a project of the local population and of the local elite in particular. Cattle are an expression of wealth and are regarded as a means of saving. At the same time, cattle can be used to plough fields, pull sledges, and produce milk and meat for home consumption and also for sale. Cattle also fulfil important social functions; they are necessary for bridewealth payments and are used in cattle loans with which wealthy herd owners furnish poorer relatives. Recent investments into self-financed boreholes have opened new rangelands for the wealthy, while the expansion of conservation areas in the region’s wetlands and the establishment of wildlife corridors have rendered other rangelands challenging due to prohibitions and increasing incidences of human–wildlife conflict. The needs and practices of expanding cattle husbandry often conflict with the demands and challenges of conservation and conservation-related tourism.This contribution describes the emergence and expansion of cattle husbandry in a region which had hardly any cattle before the 1960s and which has seen a major expansion of conservation areas and a subsequent refaunation since the 1980s. The contribution analyses current cattle ownership patterns and management practices. We argue that livestock husbandry and conservation have to be considered together and not as competing land-use strategies that need to be kept apart but as separate visions and aspirations of different stakeholders relating to the same landscape.

Türkiye’nin Yaban Hayatı Odaklı Turizm Potansiyeli

Yaban hayatı odaklı turizm faaliyetleri, gelişmiş ülkelerde yaban hayatı yönetimine önemli bir ekonomik katkı sağlamaktadır. Elde edilen gelirlerin önemli bir kısmı koruma çalışmalarına aktarılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada Türkiye'nin 2000-2018 yılları arasında av turizmi istatistikleri, korunan alan ziyaretçi sayıları ve Doğu Karadeniz Bölümü'nde yer alan bazı korunan alanları 2016-2018 yılları arasında ziyaret eden yerli ve yabancı turistlerle yapılan görüşmeler değerlendirilmiştir. Turistlerin en çok şikayet ettikleri konular olarak kaarşımıza; alan hakkında bilgi alabilecekleri resmi veya gönüllü rehber eksikliği, alternatif ekoturizm faaliyetlerinin eksikliği ve olumsuz çevre koşulları çıkmıştır. Sadece av turizminden elde edilen gelirler bakımından ülkemizi bu alanda gelişmiş ülkelerle kıyasladığımızda, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (ABD) av turizminden bizim yaklaşık 6500 katımız ve Almanya ise yaklaşık 2500 katımız yıllık gelir elde etmektedirler. Dünyada gelişmiş ülkelerin ekonomilerine önemli miktarlarda katkıda bulunan ve turistlerin ilgisinin her geçen gün arttığı ekoturizm veya yaban hayatı odaklı turizm faaliyetlerinden elde edilen gelirler Türkiye’de istenilen seviyenin ve ülkemizin potansiyelinin oldukça gerisindedir. Bugün yaban hayatı odaklı turizmden elde ettiğimiz gelirlerin yok denecek durumda olmasının en önemli nedeni, ülkemizdeki üniversite seviyesinde yaban hayatı eğitimine gereken önemin verilmeyişi ve yaban hayatı üzerine eğitim almış nitelikli personel eksikliğidir. Bu nedenle, tüm paydaşlar doğal kaynakların yönetiminde rollerini ve sorumluluklarını tam olarak yerine getirmeli ve hem yaban hayatı ile ilgili üniversite seviyesinde eğitimi hem de ilgili kurumlarda nitelikli personel görevlendirilmesini mümkün olduğu kadar teşvik etmelidir. İşte o zaman, Türkiye'de yaban hayatı yönetimi ve korunması konusunda gerekli çalışmalar yapılarak, yaban hayatı odaklı turizm gelirleri istenen seviyeye yükseltilebilir, kırsal kalkınma ve koruma çalışmalarına önemli oranda ekonomik katkılar sağlanabilir.

Lessons from a conservation and tourism cooperative: the Namibian black rhinoceros case

Wildlife-based tourism is widely promoted as a conservation tool, yet controversy surrounds its net contributions. Procedural problems are under-appreciated and originate from an under-attention to people: their interactions, values at play, and matters of special, shared, and common interests. We offer a case in Namibia of black rhinoceros conservation tourism that attended simultaneously and systematically to the inter-related ecological and social processes involved. We demonstrate how an understanding of social context and the decision making process developed, how outcomes were evaluated and synthesized lessons into prototypic elements as a pneumonic that we term the ‘ACE approach’: (1) establish an Arena for inclusive, open debate; (2) identify and use Conservation-oriented messaging; (3) adopt participatory Evidence-based management for action, feedback, and learning.

Potential tropical climate-based spatio-temporal grass variability

Numerous international agreements aimed at reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by signatory countries have been ratified in an attempt to combat the adverse varied impacts of climate change and promote resource use sustainability. Grass is an important resource that livestock, wildlife and human beings depend on and is largely influenced by climatic conditions. The grass in Kenya supports the key economic activities of livestock and wildlife-based tourism. This significant contribution to gross domestic product underscored the need to model the impacts of climate change on the grass for the country to promote sustainable development. The study aimed at modelling the impacts of projected climate variations on the spatial and temporal distribution of grass in the base-year (1950–2000) and the future climatic periods of the years 2050 and 2070. The spatial data was sourced from United States Geological Survey, International Livestock Research Institute, and Africover Project processed and analysed in ArcGIS, DIVA-GIS, Maxent and Map Comparison Kit softwares. The models outputs were significant with the least area under receiver-operator curve (AUC) values of 0.754. The study found out that the 2050 climate will decrease grass niche suitability by 44.99%, the unsuitable will increase by 87.01%, the grass niche suitability location will shift by 76.7% and the category areas change by 46.4%; the 2070 climatic period grass niche suitability will shrink by 55.21%, the unsuitable category increase by 106.80%, the location change will be 77.8% and the category areas will vary by 66.0%. The research concluded that the rangeland vegetation (grass) will decline and shift location in the both future climatic periods.

Towards the development of cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe

PurposeZimbabwean tourism, whose draw-card is wildlife, has been on the decline since land invasions that occurred in 2000. Due to the farm invasions, wildlife-based tourism is no longer a viable option. In cases where traditional industries are declining, cultural tourism has been found to be an effective alternative source of revenue. Cultural and heritage tourism represents a growing special interest market whose demand is very high; however, this sector is yet to be sufficiently explored in the empirical context of Northern Zimbabwe. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development potential of the sector.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative methodology was applied in this study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 500 international tourists who visited Northern Zimbabwe’s cultural and heritage attractions between October 2013 and February 2014. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 19.0 was employed in data coding and analysis. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and one way analysis of variance were used in this study.FindingsOn the whole, the study found that there is potential to develop cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe. Results showed that there exists a certain demand for cultural and heritage tourism in Northern Zimbabwe and should be developed. Cultural and heritage tourists’ spending is high per visit, despite the fact that Zimbabwe is an expensive destination. The intention to repeat visitation was found to be significant with the age, level of qualification and nationality of respondents.Originality/valueThe findings provides insights for cultural and heritage tourism managers in Northern Zimbabwe and similar places around the country to invest in this special interest tourism. The development of cultural and heritage tourism will contribute towards the diversification of the seasonal and threatened nature-based tourism in Zimbabwe. With a better understanding of the motivations, trip behaviour characteristics and perceptions of Northern region, this paper presents insights that are important in developing the cultural and heritage tourism sector. Research on tourism growth in Zimbabwe has predominantly focused on nature-based tourism, suggesting a clear relegation of the contribution that cultural and heritage resources can make towards tourism growth; thus, this study provides a significant contribution in the Zimbabwean context with regards to literature.

Poverty or riches: who benefits from the booming tourism industry in Botswana?

ABSTRACTBotswana is a key tourism destination in Southern Africa mainly because of the rich wildlife resources and scenic beauty it sustains. Since the 1990s, the growth of wildlife-based tourism in Botswana has stimulated the development of a variety of tourism infrastructure and facilities. This paper asks if these qualify as sustainable tourism. Using both primary and secondary data sources, the study reveals that foreign-owned safari companies and investors dominate Botswana’s tourism industry, leading to the repatriation of tourism revenue, domination of management positions by expatriates and lower salaries for citizen workers. Tourism also fails to significantly contribute to rural development in Botswana due to its weak linkages with the domestic economy. Promoting more inclusive and beneficial policies and strategies would allow tourism to become more sustainable, making a significant contribution to local development, and allowing citizens to finally see real benefits from an industry which is sustained by their local environment.

International trade in endangered species: the challenges and successes of the 17th conference of parties to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES)

International trade in endangered species: the challenges and successes of the 17th conference of parties to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES)

Protected areas, tourism and community livelihoods linkages: a comprehensive analysis approach

This study explores the linkages among protected areas, tourism and community livelihoods in a rural setting. The Chobe National Park and Chobe Enclave Community Trust, Botswana, provide the context for this study. Data were collected through a community asset mapping exercise, semi-structured interviews, and published and unpublished data sources. Data were analyzed and interpreted using the community capital framework (CCF) that provided a comprehensive approach. The study identified that protected areas, tourism and community livelihoods linkages have many inter-dependent community capitals relationships. The enhancement of community capitals was facilitated by a shift from government-controlled to multi-level governance arrangements that recognize community wildlife-based tourism potential co-exist with protected areas, have influence on community livelihoods and nurture positive linkages. Results also indicate that linkages are dependent on community capitals transformation or lack thereof; the linkages have an influential effect on the whole ecosystem on which protected areas, tourism and community livelihoods operate. The study provides a new methodological approach in understanding the changing relationships among tourism, conservation and community development by expanding community capitals framework. This study's findings also inform planners, managers, and policy makers to critically evaluate the processes of change and devise interventions accordingly.

Wildlife Abundance and Diversity as Indicators of Tourism Potential in Northern Botswana.

Wildlife tourism can provide economic incentives for conservation. Due to the abundance of wildlife and the presence of charismatic species some areas are better suited to wildlife tourism. Our first objective was to develop criteria based on wildlife abundance and diversity to evaluate tourism potential in the Northern Conservation Zone of Botswana. Secondly we wanted to quantify and compare tourism experiences in areas with high and low tourism potential. We used aerial survey data to estimate wildlife biomass and diversity to determine tourism potential, while data from ground surveys quantified the tourist experience. Areas used for High Paying Low Volume tourism had significantly higher mean wildlife biomass and wildlife diversity than the areas avoided for this type of tourism. Only 22% of the Northern Conservation Zone has intermediate to high tourism potential. The areas with high tourism potential, as determined from the aerial survey data, provided tourists with significantly better wildlife sightings (ground surveys) than the low tourism potential areas. Even Low Paying tourism may not be economically viable in concessions that lack areas with intermediate to high tourism potential. The largest part of the Northern Conservation Zone has low tourism potential, but low tourism potential is not equal to low conservation value. Alternative conservation strategies should be developed to complement the economic incentive provided by wildlife-based tourism in Botswana.

Human–Wildlife Conflict in Maasai Mara National Reserve: Demonstrating the Need for an International Framework on Wildlife-Based Tourism

Over the last decade, wildlife-based tourism has grown into Kenya's leading foreign exchange earner1 Foreign exchange earner refers to proceeds from the export of goods and services of a country an...