Linking tourism and conservation to communities for sustainable development Presented by: Gregoire BAKUNZI, AMAHORO TOURS. & Jean d’Amour MANIRERE, Pamoja Action Kigali, 4 November 2015

1. Presented by:
Gregoire BAKUNZI, AMAHORO TOURS.
greg@redrocksrwanda.com
&
Jean d’Amour MANIRERE,
manirerejd@gmail.com
PAMOJA Action, Rwanda.

2. Who we are P A M O J A Action
 PAMOJA Action, Rwanda is a national NGO established in 2004
to focus on the interaction between locals and tourists to promote
a sustainable local development and strengthening communities
in order to improve the living conditions and quality of life
through linking tourism & conservation to communities.
 Operating in Musanze (Home to gorillas and bed to diverse
cultural components), its services reached Nyabihu and Burera
Districts.
 Target: Poor people, category 1 & 2 of UBUDEHE
 Beneficiaries: Youth, Women, Foster families and Ex-poachers
 Awards and recognition: Certificate of Merit by Musanze
District and Appreciation certificate from RDB. Recognition
letters from Gakenke, Burera and Musanze Districts.
 Tourism linkages to communities cluster rate: 95%

3. How we work P A M O J A Action
Households
Economic
Strengthening
TOURISM
&
CONSERVATION
RedRocks
InterCultural
Exchange Centre
Amahoro Integrated
Development
projects (AIDPs)
Shaggy
Community
TVET Centre
OpenLand
Community
Museum
Amahoro Tour
Associations
Kagogo
Community
Farming centre

4. Outcomes P A M O J A Action
Livelihoods improvements
 45 Community Microcredit schemes / VSL
($1,000@group), Household income increased (10%)
 Food Security improved from 0 meal per day to at least 1
meal (100%) to 2 meals per day (75%)
 Nutrition (Dissemination of High iron Beans )
 Youth employment and TVET (2,129 enrolled)
 Health Insurance (100% ), reduction of water-borne
diseases
 8 Ha and 234 small livestock offered to communities
 1,432 agro-forestry species (by communities, i.e: 2@household)
 Tourism supply chain improved from 2 to 31 products that
are community based (profit increase).
Economic
Strengthening

5. Supporting & Limiting Factors P A M O J A Action
Positive Negative
Supportive legal policy framework
Recognition of NGOs and Private
Sector role in community tourism
Existence of adequate tourism
infrastructures (Hotels,…)
There is widespread poverty around
the parks, and increasing pressure for
agricultural land from a growing rural
population
Limited resources to assist increasing
number of vulnerable groups
 Limited funds to enhance AIDPs
outcomes (water harvesting,….)

6. Key lessons & Perspectives P A M O J A Action
Perspectives:
Diversify community based tourism products
Final set up of a community based museum
More Income generating activities to communities (Microcredit schemes)
Establish “ Community farm and technology transfer centre” around tourism
Integrate cross-cutting issues (gender, family planning,…) in our interventions
Lessons:
Community based tourism is diverse and profitable
Collaboration with local authorities through JADF
Tourists/Visitors are interested in community activities
Communities should be grouped into working associations
Youth and Women play a key role in the supply chain
Tourism & conservation revenues help in community development

7. Thank you