By Conrad Mwanawashe
The World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) latest annual research shows that in 2022, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 7.6% to global Gross Domestic Product; an increase of 22% from 2021.
In 2022, there were 22 million new jobs, representing a 7.9% increase on 2021 with domestic visitor spending increasing by 20.4% in 2022 and international visitor spending rising by 81.9% in 2022.But Southern Africa’s Siamese twins, Zimbabwe and Zambia, believe that this can only be feasible through the utilisation of natural resources under tourism development.
In that regard, the two governments have formed a 17745km2 Lower Zambezi Mana Pools (LOZAMAP) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) to be catalytic towards leveraging economic growth. “We are delighted today because this event represents our joint resolve and dedication to advancing our mutual partnership in the area of transboundary collaboration through the conservation of our natural resources,” the two countries said in a statement at the signing ceremony of the MoU recently.
The TFCA, which covers the main National Parks (Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools), Game Management Areas, Safari Areas, Communal land, private land and conservancies, is consistent with the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement that urges Partner States to collaborate and promote the conservation of shared wildlife resources through establishment of TFCAs.
“We fully support and believe in the regionally integrated approach of SADC TFCA framework which recognises that management of shared natural resources across international boundaries has the potential to promote peace and stability, ensure the sustainable utilisation of natural resources, provide economic development opportunities through nature-based tourism and address food and nutrition security,” they said.
“Our two countries through the signing of the MoU today reaffirm the commitment and resolve to the successful development of the LOZAMAP TFCA, which is based on the principle of sustainable use of natural resources to benefit the present and future generations and on the principle of good neighbourliness among others.
Recognising the value of partnerships, we will continue to pursue strategic alliances in the development of LOZAMAP TFCA.
Objectives of the MoU include:
To create a conducive environment and set up forums for the development of the LOZAMAP TFCA;
To foster transnational collaboration and co-operation between the Parties in implementing ecosystem management through the establishment, development and management of the LOZAMAP TFCA
To promote alliances in the management of biological natural resources by encouraging social, economic and other partnerships among the stakeholders;
To enhance ecosystem integrity and natural ecological processes by harmonising environmental management procedures between the Parties and striving to remove artificial barriers impeding the natural movement of animals;
To develop frameworks and strategies whereby local communities can participate in, and derive tangible benefits from, the management and sustainable use of natural resources that occur within the LOZAMAP TFCA;
To facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a sub-regional economic base by way of appropriate development frameworks, strategies and work plans; and
To develop trans-boundary tourism as a means for fostering regional socio-economic development.
Milestones expected to be achieved by the MoU include institutional development (delivering of the Treaty), strategic planning, mobilization of funding and implementation of priority projects, natural resources management & land use planning, tourism development and marketing, and community & livelihoods development.
For the next two years Zimbabwe will serve as the coordinating country with the responsibility moving to Zambia thereafter.
Featured image Credit – TourRadar