Game reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are major sustainable sources of revenue for the tourism sector in the Eastern and Southern regions of Africa; in Zambia, South Luangwa National Park generated an additional US$9.1 million earned by the Government of Zambia for park fees, direct taxes, and induced taxes in 2014; Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi generated $400,000 in revenue in 2016, while iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa generated US$1.5 million in revenue as well as 1,600 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs in 2015/2016 (World Bank Reports, 2018).
We know of the Serengeti National Park (located in Tanzania), how well do we know of Gashaka Gumti National Park (located in Taraba State, Nigeria)? Similarly, there is the Maasai Mara National Reserve (located in Kenya) and the Kakum National Park (located in Ghana); Kruger National Park (located in South Africa), and the Parc National de la Pendjari (located in the Benin Republic).
Given the presence of these reserves and parks in Nigeria and West Africa, the question then arises as to how to ensure that they are able to contribute to tourism revenue earnings as well as job provision in the subregion? One fact is the need for a focus on destination management, the establishment and maintenance of these destinations, and other protected areas across the West African subregion to boost ecotourism.
We can learn from East and South Africa’s conservation and ecotourism models and the concerted efforts put over the years which has now resulted in revenue for the local community and the government. For example, national parks, reserves, state forests, and private conservancies constitute 18 per cent of Kenya’s total land area and contribute a significant part of the country’s tourism sector’s 10 per cent to its annual economic output, whilst attracting over 500,000 international tourists annually and employing over 2 million people.
It is time to focus on how we can make ecotourism work across Nigeria and West Africa, especially with how to make sure it happens in a balanced manner. Despite the abundance of wildlife flora and fauna across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and sixteen (16) countries in West Africa, the subregion still lags behind when it comes to finding that successful ingredient that has helped Eastern and South African countries generate revenue in millions of dollars annually through ecotourism. The lack of a working model for sustainable conservation practices and an inability to balance conservation with global tourism and hospitality best standards could be one major factor for this, as well as concerted interests by tourism and wildlife ministries, departments, and agencies in West African countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant a greater appreciation for life…Preserving endangered species is one way to reset the ecological balance, and wildlife and nature tourism provide the means to do this.”
In recent times, West Africa has focused on heritage, culture and slavery, for example, Ghana’s recent ‘Year of Return’ tourism promotion and Dakar with the biennale. It is important to expand these offerings. Cape Verde has revamped its tourism focus, offering its volcanic islands, cuisine and music as tourism products. With the renewed focus on domestic tourism, there is an opportunity in the overlooked area of wildlife and nature tourism segment and it is time to pay some more attention to harnessing these opportunities.
Wildlife and nature tourism provide certain rewards, an appreciation for life, for animals, a time to reset, the space to experience plants and animals in their natural habitat, recharge and reconnect with the essence of nature and of life. Unfortunately in Nigeria, rather than promote the conservation of wildlife and forests for sustainable revenue generation that does not harm the ecosystem, the pursuit of illegal wildlife trafficking and crime networks as evident in the recently busted $54 million pangolin parts and elephant tusks dominate our headlines.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a priceless opportunity to show greater appreciation for life. Over several centuries, human activities have impacted our planet; with logging, deforestation, wildlife poaching, oil spillage, environmental pollution, all of which adds up to one of the major causes of climate change and global warming. Preserving endangered species is one way to reset the ecological balance, and wildlife and nature tourism provide the means to do this. One practical way is to imitate the conservation models of countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa. If they can do it, so can we.