Report
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of international businesses were affected significantly. Tourism and travel industries were among the most hit as hospitality and airline companies had to shut down indefinitely following an increase in infections. As the world is trying to manage the disease, companies are slowly coming back to life. The tourism sector in South Africa and other places in Africa are starting to operate once again. The tourism sector should be considered among essential businesses because apart from offering jobs to many people locally and internationally and earning huge profits for investors, it promotes conservation efforts.
The article Safaris are back, and luxury lodges are enlisting guests to help save animals by Verne Maree discusses the resumption of safaris in South Africa. The author writes that South Africa would reopen its international borders starting October 10, 2020 (Maree). Some of the most attractive tourist activities include tours in the wild and visits to the wine-belt in Cape Town, among others. Following this announcement, the tourism sector is optimistic that business will start coming back as visitors are already making reservations in some private lodges. The article also focuses on the boost that animal conservation efforts will get following a resumption of business. Wild animals in South Africa have been a target for poachers who kill them for their horns and tusks. These parts are precious in many regions around the world. Therefore, as business resumes, there will be the availability of funds to promote anti-poaching campaigns and protect the animals.
The news item in the article mentioned above is relevant as it discusses an issue that world leaders and conservationists have been trying to address for many years. It is essential to note that there is a natural connection between wildlife conservation and tourism (Bra). This is especially true in Africa, where safaris are among the most important tourist attractions. In the past, people used to view wildlife as less critical. However, as fortunes for people living around these areas increased due to tourism, calls for protecting the animals have been growing each year.
Sustainability of wildlife is primarily dependent on the performance of the tourism sector. Local communities are usually on the frontline in promoting conservation efforts (Sustainable Tourism). Governments and private players in the tourism industry need to consider supporting these communities as a priority. They could offer them jobs as tour guides, cooks for the visitors, housekeepers, and security personnel, among other positions. This can help create awareness in these communities about the need to protect the wild animals.
Poaching and illegal hunting for game meat are among the biggest threats to tourism. Some animal species are on the verge of extinction due to these activities (Johnson; Wildlife Conservation). This could be influenced mostly by people’s growing financial needs, especially in the middle and low-income earning countries. Private and public tourism companies, therefore, have to step up and offer alternative packages. As they make profits, they also have to empower conservation efforts to ensure the industry’s sustainability.
Wildlife tourism is an effective way of earning profits for tourist companies while promoting conservation efforts. With an increase in business in this industry, more harm can be done to the environment and nature without proper measures to prevent it (The Travel Specialists; Puls). Eco-tourism offers a unique chance to travel to various wildlife areas and perform activities that promote the protection of the environment and local people. The main focus here is to minimize the adverse impact of human activities on the environment, educate and create awareness among tourists and the host communities, and provide financial benefits for the business organizations involved. On this note, everybody gains.
To summarize this paper, the tourism sector should be considered among essential businesses. Apart from offering jobs to many people locally and internationally and earning huge profits for investors, it promotes conservation efforts. Verne Maree discusses the reopening of the tourism industry in South Africa and how it will encourage conservation efforts. Tourism and wildlife conservation are tied because they exist mutually. There is a need to empower local communities to protect wildlife and continue earning financial benefits.