This article was originally published at The World Bank.
Highlights:
- Tourism provides an economic benefit from wildlife and plays an important role in growing economies, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation.
- Wildlife is an asset and the trade in illegal wildlife threatens nature-based tourism.
- Over the past two years, the World Bank has reengaged in tourism projects due to a growing demand from countries to both achieve poverty reduction and protect wildlife.
“A World Bank project in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is having an impact on the local economy while valuing wildlife at the same time, which are threatened by poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Over 150 young people received training in the tourism industry, nearly 100 of which are now gainfully employed in the field. By creating employment for local people in tourism they receive tangible economic benefits from the presence of wildlife alive, rather than dead.
The theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated May 22, is biodiversity and sustainable tourism to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The program in the Okavango is proof that promoting biodiversity and economic growth through tourism is one way to reach win-win solutions for people and wildlife…”
Read on at: The World Bank.
