Situation Analysis Report on cross-border tourism products in SADC TFCAs

This Situational Analysis Report (SAR) provides a review of cross-border tourism products within Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). For the purposes of this report, cross-border tourism products refer to (a) annual or bi-annual events and (b) other cross-border tourism products with more regular departure dates that are made possible by existing TFCA structures. Therefore, the focus is not on cross-border events or tours that use existing formal immigration facilities between countries. The purpose of the SAR is to inform the development of guidelines for the development of cross-border tourism products in TFCAs.

The report was compiled through a combination of literature review, stakeholder consultation, and review of the draft analysis. Information presented includes the status of existing cross-border tourism products in SADC TFCAs. This includes the prevailing enabling environment, governance arrangements, financial elements, and issues relating to their quality, marketing and sustainability. An overview on the processes used to establish cross-border tourism products is provided, in addition to a review of what has worked well, and what could have been improved. The discussion incorporates lessons learned, opportunities for additional and scaled-up products, the needs for specific tools and guideline content, and also option for dissemination and training.

The analysis has led to a series of recommendations that are relevant for different stakeholders including the SADC Technical Committees on Wildlife and Tourism, TFCA managers and TFCA Joint Management Boards, cross-border tourism product operators and the SADC TFCA Network Tourism Community of Practice. These recommendations are drawn directly from the main report, and summarised here for consideration and future phases of planning by each group.