Wetland Tourism; World Wetlands Day 2012

What is a Wetland?
Ramsar Convention defines wetland as “areas of marsh, fen peat-land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is statistic or flowing, fresh, blackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. The definition includes artificial embodiments such as Lake Kariba, Lake Mutirikwi and rivers and streams.

With the background of co-hosting the next United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) general assembly with Zambia, the nation has an opportunity to understand tourism and in this regard marrying it to wetlands. Special mention goes to mention Victoria Falls, Lake Mutirikwi (adjacent to Great Zimbabwe) and gorgeous streams and rivers found in Manicaland. A collaborative effort in protecting these natural and artificial water bodies has to be upheld.

World Wetlands Day Theme 2012

The theme for World Wetlands Day for 2012 is “Wetlands and Tourism, My Responsibility, My Leisure”. and it is linked to the theme for COP11: “Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation”, which is scheduled in July 2012in Bucharest, Romania.
The theme focuses on wetland tourism. Relatively, on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2010, the Ramsar Secretariat and UNWTO formalized their relationship and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote the wise use and sustainable tourism practices at wetlands. It is worth noting that tourism is one of the many services that wetlands deliver. The following illustrates how wetlands support tourism:

Water source for wildlife

Support biodiversity,

Creates and maintain scenic views,

Recharge of natural water bodies such as streams, rivers dams and lakes with water flowing passing spectacular waterfalls and damwalls (through spillways/floodgates)

Benefits experienced from Wetland Tourism
Wetland tourism has benefits such as stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people and thriving ecosystems. The following are benefits in Zimbabwe mainly from destinations such as Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe (adjacent to Lake Mutirikwi) and Hwange:

Growth of the tourism industry (reported as 6.9 percent per annum over the next decade with $850000m revenue earnings per annum: one of the fastest world’s growing sector between 2011-2021)

During 2010, touring industry contributed seven percent of the national GDP, and 9.1 percent for 2011

The sector generates greater employment than many other industries with relatively low skill levels,

Creates chances to improve mechanisms of environmental laws and enforcement in protecting wetland ecosystems

Ecotourism
This is a special kind of sustainable tourism. Ecotourism makes tourism most appreciated by locals thereby enhancing stewardship of natural resources and cultural assets. According to UNWTO, the following characteristics form ecotourism:

Main motivation is observation and appreciation of nature and traditional cultures,

Educational and interpretation of features,

Minimises negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment,

Service providers partners such as special tour operators tend to be small groups, locally owned businesses,

Supports the maintenance of natural areas,

Considers economic benefits for host communities, organisations and local authorities,

Provides alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities,

Increase awareness on protection of natural and cultural assets

How Tourism can support Wetland Biodiversity
Tourism business can promote and support wetland biodiversity by:

Reducing pollution from tourism activities,

Financial contribution towards supporting biodiversity conservation,

Clearing invasive alien species,

Ensure protection of endangered species,

Raise awareness to tourists and authorities on the value of biodiversity,

Advise on steps to take to protect biodiversity

Business Community in Tourism Wetland
To be sustainable, tourism should:

Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development by maintaining essential ecological processes,

Help to conserve, protect and safeguard natural resources and biodiversity,

Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities by upholding cultural and traditional values,

Ensure long-term economic viability, and thrive to provide socio-economic benefits such as employment and income-earning opportunities to host communities

World Wetlands Day 2012 Commemorations
WWD 2012 is an opportunity to use to campaign “Wetlands and Tourism” and look at the value of wetlands from the perspectives of tourists and community members, and examine the benefits of sustainable tourism on wetland ecosystems. Let us all take part and work for the better of our environment and tourism.