Private Sector Tourism in Conservation Areas in Africa

"Using a rich set of detailed case studies, this volume furnishes the first comprehensive analysis of the role of the private sector in conservation areas. For researchers of tourism, development studies and biodiversity conservation this book is a new and important benchmark in African scholarship." -Christian M. Rogerson, Research Professor, School of Tourism & Hospitality, University of Johannesburg. "This is an impressive book that will make an important contribution to the literature on private-sector involvement in the delivery of tourism services in parks and protected areas in Africa." - Dr. Paul F. J. Eagles, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo. Tourism in Africa's protected and conserved areas involves partnerships and interactions between numerous stakeholders such as governments, communities, NGOs, the private sector and academics. Through the use of 32 comprehensive case studies from 11 African countries, this book presents guidelines to ensure optimal benefits for stakeholders as well as promoting the sustainability of tourism in Africa. It includes descriptions of the various models for the private sector to engage in tourism in conservation areas in Africa, such as pure private sector ownership, joint ventures, tripartite agreements and government leases. End-to-end coverage of the processes used to develop these partnerships is provided, as well as best practices for the private sector engaging in tourism. The book provides guidance on identifying the most suitable private sector tourism options based on guidelines of conditions and desired outcomes, to promote the long-term sustainability of African tourism in protected areas. Key features include: - The first book to provide a detailed analysis of private sector involvement and partnerships in tourism in Africa. - Includes best practice examples to develop tourism partnerships with the private sector. - Highlights important tools to enhance the sustainability of tourism in Africa, involving numerous stakeholders. This book is recommended for academics, students and practitioners working in sustainable tourism, including community, private sector and government stakeholders.

Susan Snyman has a PhD (Resource Economics) from University of Cape Town. Having completed coursework at University of Goteborg, Sweden, the focus of her PhD research measured the socio-economic impact of high-end ecotourism in remote, rural communities adjacent to protected areas, based on over 1,700 community surveys in six southern African countries. Sue worked for Wilderness Safaris, a high-end ecotourism operator, from 2008-2018. Prior to that she worked for over a decade in ecotourism and conservation in southern Africa. Her other positions include Vice-Chair of the IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPASG), and Coordinator of the TAPASG Communities & Heritage Working Group, working on community engagement and benefit-sharing from tourism and protected areas. Sue is currently Senior Programme Officer for the Conservation Areas and Species Programme for the IUCN Eastern and Southern African Regional Office, coordinating the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management (BIOPAMA) programme in 24 African countries. Email: suesnyman@gmail.com Dr Anna Spenceley is a specialist in sustainable tourism who has worked for over 20 years in developing countries on assignments promoting conservation and poverty reduction. Anna is Chair of the IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPAS Group). She sits on the board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and on the GSTC's Destination working group. She is also a Senior Research Fellow with the University of Johannesburg and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Brighton. Anna has a substantial publication record on sustainable tourism, including being the lead author of guidelines for tourism concessions in protected areas published by both the Convention on Biological Diversity and The World Bank Group. She has also edited book volumes including Responsible Tourism: Critical issues for Conservation and Development and Tourism and poverty reduction: Impacts and principles in developing countries. Anna sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, and of Koedoe. Website: www.anna.spenceley.co.uk Email: annaspenceley@gmail.com