Tourism in Transfrontier Conservation Areas: A vehicle for development and sustainable life

When: Friday 14th November 2014, 2000 – 2130

Where: Playfair 1, World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia

Organised by: IUCN WCPA Tourism & Protected Areas Specialist Group & the Southern African Development Community and GIZ

Overview: Tourism in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) is emerging as a powerful new tourism product in the Southern African Development Community. With transboundary mountain biking, walking trails, running and canoe events, cultural events and festivals, in addition to transboundary routes and concessions, they can provide revenue and raise awareness for TFCAs. An expert panel presented examples of transboundary tourism products from SADC, and participants discussed the benefits and challenges associated with them. New guidelines for tourism concessions in SADC TFCAs were also discussed.

Presentations:

·       Introduction to the session and the TAPAS Group – Anna Spenceley (facilitator) – annaspenceley[at]gmail[dot]com (http://www.slideshare.net/AnnaSpenceley/tourism-in-tfcas-and-guidelines-anna-spenceley)

·       Video and presentation on the Tour de Tuli – transboundary mountainbike event between Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, in the Greater Mapungubwe TFCA – Susan Snyman (TAPAS Group, Wilderness Safaris) (http://www.slideshare.net/AnnaSpenceley/tour-de-tuli-susan-snyman)

·       Presentation on Desert Knights – transboundary a canoe and mountain bike event between South Africa and Namibia in the Ais Ais TFCA – Roland Vorwerk (Boundless Southern Africa)  (http://www.slideshare.net/AnnaSpenceley/desert-knights-tour-presentation-at-world-parks-congress-sadc-tfcas-presentation)

·       Presentation on the Pafuri Cross Border Trail and Shangane Cultural Festival – a transboundary walking trail and cultural event in the Great Limpopo TFCA – Lamson Makuleke (Makuleke Community) and Piet Theron (Great Limpopo TFCA) (http://www.slideshare.net/AnnaSpenceley/pafuri-cross-border-trail-piet-theron-lamson-maluleke)

·       Plenary discussion on transboundary tourism: Challenges and solutions