General Information
(Creation Year & Reason)

September 1990
Reason: N/A

Initiator(s)

Africa Travel Association

Objectives(s)

Educate its membership with regard to what their role can and should be in 'responsible tourism'

Timeframes and Milestones

1992 - First Ecotourism Symposium for Africa held in Senegal
1994 - Second Bi-Annual Symposium on Sustainable Tourism held in South Africa
1996 - Third Bi-Annual Ecotourism Symposium held in Morocco

As follow-up in 1995, ATA established the Responsible Traveler Guidelines

Implementation Process

The Eco-Tourism Manifesto is 3 pronged:

Member Countries pledge:

• To establish the machinery for protection of the ecology, natural resources and wildlife

• To Enhance the quality of the tourist visit by easing the entry and exit formalities

• To create good infrastructure assuring easy access and to use trained personnel to highlight each country's unique appeal

• To establish rigid codes of quality for accommodation and services, making sure the local tourist economy does not overshadow the attraction

• To work with transportation companies to make travel safe, comfortable and convenient

Travel Industry pledges:

• To prepare the visitor by providing detailed information on the culture, etiquette and mores of the host country

• To provide clients with opportunities to participate in ecological and environmental programs

• To adhere to a strict code of truth in advertising by accurately describing facilities and costs

Visitor should be encouraged:

• To respect the land and water, not only to avoid damaging, abusing or littering, but to contribute to the preservation and protection of these resources

• To enjoy the wildlife in its natural habitat and refrain from harassment of these magnificent creatures

• To honor the sensitivities, customs and culture of the people they are visiting and observe local rules of etiquette and behavior

• To share and exchange cross-cultural ideas and to keep an open attitude to local values

• To continue this habit of caring and concern upon returning home, by not supporting industries that harm ecosystems and the environment

Monitoring Process & Parties

N/A

Success in Achieving Stated Objectives

N/A

Public Education & Information Components

ATA has a web-site on the internet and publishes the Africa Travel Magazine

Web-site: http://ata.trav.org

Eco-tourism Manifesto published in English and French

Replication Potential

Moderate.

Mechanisms for Improvement

Would benefit from monitoring mechanism, baseline and quantifiable targets.

Contacts for Further Information