The TUI Care Foundation (Non-Governmental Organisation – NGO) – which supports project initiatives that create new opportunities that contribute to the development of prosperous communities in tourist destinations around the world – said this Thursday, 29 August, in a statement, that it has launched a conservation initiative to support sustainable development on the coast of Mozambique.
According to the organisation, the country is gaining popularity among visitors from all over the world, motivated by its exceptional and unique natural wealth, which has played a key role in its tourism potential.
‘A special example is the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park – a marine reserve that is home to numerous protected species, including sharks, dolphins and dugongs. The park is made up of five islands and three of them have around seven thousand inhabitants.
Today, the site faces threats such as exponential population growth in the region, climate change, unregulated development and waste pollution. These have had a negative impact on the biodiversity of the area and the livelihoods of the local community,’ explains the organisation in a statement.
The document reveals that significant efforts have been made to combat the over-utilisation of natural resources, illegal fishing practices and poorly regulated tourist activities.
‘Together with African Parks (an NGO focused on the conservation of biodiversity through the management of protected areas, established in 2000 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa), the TUI Care Foundation is now driving forward these efforts to protect this unique natural habitat,’ the statement reads.
In an initiative called ‘TUI Sea the Change Mozambique’, the NGO seeks to improve the long-term sustainability of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park by involving the local community and the tourism industry.
‘To protect the park’s 1430 square kilometres of coastline, a carrying capacity study is being carried out at the most popular dive sites and ten no-take and mooring buoys will be installed. A boat driver licensing system is also being introduced to train 150 drivers in how to enforce regulations on maritime activities. Sustainable tourist experiences will be created to attract at least 25,000 people,’ the statement said.
A special example is the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park – a marine reserve that is home to numerous protected species, including sharks, dolphins and dugongs.The park is made up of five islands and three of them have around seven thousand inhabitants.The site is currently facing threats: exponential population growth in the region, climate change, unregulated development and waste pollution.These have had a negative impact on the biodiversity of the area and the livelihoods of the local community
TUI Care Foundation
The NGO says that the initiative also focuses on supporting community development, including raising awareness of the park’s activities.
‘Seven thousand locals will take part in awareness-raising activities for marine conservation and in conservation campaigns, and two thousand fishermen will receive training in sustainable fishing practices. In addition, community members will receive training in key skills to improve their livelihoods,’ the document points out.
The ‘TUI Sea the Change Mozambique’ initiative is supported by the Tourism for Development Fund, which was launched by the TUI Care Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Tourism Organisation with the aim of supporting the sustainable development of tourism in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
‘Mobilising at least 703.7 million meticals (11.1 million dollars) by 2030, the fund supports projects designed to increase the capacity of destination communities, which will improve their livelihoods, conserve and regenerate nature and create market-based solutions that benefit communities in tourist destinations. In addition to Mozambique, the LDCs targeted include Cambodia, Laos, Rwanda, Senegal, Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia,’ explains the statement.
