ST Training: Arusha, Tanzania, Feb. 19-25, 2006
Overview
 |
Safari tour operators in East Africa promote cultural interactions
with Maasai tribesmen. |
Rapid and continuous growth over the past twenty years has made tourism one of the world’s most significant sources of employment and of GDP, and it is now widely recognized to be one of the world’s largest industries. Tourism particularly benefits the economies of developing countries, where most of the sector’s new tourism jobs and businesses are being created. This rapid growth has encouraged many developing nations to view tourism as key to promoting economic growth.
Sustainable tourism supports USAID’s goals of supporting economic growth, and reducing poverty reduction, conserving biodiversity, and sustainably managing natural resources. Responding to field and headquarters‘ requests for technical assistance with the design and development of sustainable tourism projects, USAID delivered a sustainable tourism training event in Arusha, Tanzania in 2006.
USAID, the Natural Resources Information Clearinghouse, and partner organizations designed, developed and delivered a seven-module course that addressed:
- Basic sustainable tourism concepts;
- USAID’s role and history in the tourism sector;
- Project assessment methodology; and
- Project design for activities with an economic growth, cultural/natural heritage, and/or biodiversity conservation focus.
The first field delivery of this training took place in 2006 in Tanzania, just outside of the “safari capital” of Arusha. This location allowed for two day-long field trips to explore community-based tourism initiatives, discuss successes and challenges with area tour operators, and meet with park staff at Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, which both have new visitor facilities and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
The presentation team included USAID, NGO, and private sector specialists. Participants came from Brazil, Montenegro, Mongolia, and several African countries, and included both USAID field officers and their host country partners.
Future trainings are planned for other regions, building on the success of this first delivery.
Back to Top ^
|
