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Cape Town - Good and meaningful community participation and communities having a real stake in endeavours are important aspects to tap the tourism potential in Africa, South Africa's Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa on Thursday.
Communities must, for instance be the eyes and ears in wildlife protection to prevent poaching in his view. If communities realise that protecting wildlife is a source of improving their own lives, they will do it, explained Hanekom and used Namibia as an example where this change in perception was achieved.
Africa has enormous tourism potential, especially since it has the opportunity to do things differently by using technology and sustainability as drivers for growth, according to Hanekom.
"We must infuse innovation and not just do business as usual. There is no silver bullet, but let us start somewhere," he said as part of a panel discussion about unlocking Africa's tourism potential.
"By focusing on green growth the tourism sector will not only achieve better natural resource management, but it will also make destinations more attractive to travellers, who increasingly want to feel good about the places they visit."
He was also pleased to mention that his department has introduced a programme by which heritage sites and national parks will be fitted with solar energy. Robben Island is the first on the list.
He said role players in Africa's tourism industry must first of all make sure they offer a good product. Only then can one start thinking of branding it. What makes you unique? Do smart planning before you take it to market," Hanekom suggested.
In his view there should be a forum created where African ministers of tourism could engage with each other and he wants to put this idea forward to the African Union.
Just like Hanekom, Mark Satterfield, chief operating officer, Middle East and Africa of Marriott International, also said tourism in Africa has a huge potential of which only the surface is being scratched at the moment.
"The next generation of travellers are looking for new experiences where they can experience the culture and go back with real stories to share with their family and friends," said Satterfield as part of the panel discussion.
"What I have also seen the last couple of years is the tourism industry really starting to work together on the issue of sustainability. Before everyone worked in silo's. However, if we are going to make an impact on green tourism in Africa we are going to have to figure out how to get scale and not just keeping it at a few projects."
For Geoff Lipman, president of the International Council of Tourism Partners, Africa's tourism industry needs what he calls a new coalition between governments, environmental activists and conservationists. He would, therefore, like to see environmental ministers of African countries also taking part in a forum with tourism ministers.
Another member of the panel, Patrick Bergin, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, said more African leadership is needed on the issue of sustainable tourism.
"We need a constituency in Africa for green tourism and wildlife protection. It cannot just be people from outside the continent, like Prince William and Chealsea Clinton who take up the cause," said Bergin.
Lastly, Rosalin Kyere-Nartey, executive director of Rosak Consult in Ghana, said in her view many communities still do not understand the value of tourism. Therefore, tourism should be incorporated into education systems in African countries.
She would also like to see that issues raised about tourism at forums like the WEF not remain mere discussions, but are actually implemented.
