BACKGROUND
The Zanzibar Declaration on Sustainable Tourism is an informal
statement of intent and a rallying cry for the Zanzibar tourism industry to take
real strides towards sustainability, in support of people, planet and
prosperity.
The Zanzibar Declaration recognises
and contributes to global sustainable tourism actions adopted by international
institutions and world leaders; this includes the One Planet Network Glasgow Declaration:
Climate Action in Tourism with which this declaration is aligned, and many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Declaration is in two parts: firstly, the Zanzibar Declaration text itself and secondly the Sustainable Tourism Roadmap including the five Commitments.
This declaration can be signed by individuals representing hospitality and tourism related business & institutions. It can also be signed by individuals that wish to take actions in support of the declaration.
We, the stakeholders in the Zanzibar tourism industry, declare that we support and will collaborate in the coordinated effort to make Zanzibar a sustainable tourism destination. Specifically:
We recognize that all segments of society, all industries, and all sectors – including
tourism – must play their part in ensuring sustainability. This is not an immediate
transition, but a long-term journey requiring a collective effort.
Globally, tourism has contributed significantly to pollution, biodiversity loss and
climate change through degradation and destruction of local ecosystems,
emissions of greenhouse gases, and pollution of land, air and water. For example,
in 2019, tourism was the second fastest-growing industry in the world, producing
an estimated 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Along with natural wealth, traditional culture,
customs and ways of life, indigenous knowledge, sacred sites, ancient ruins and
historical buildings are also at risk from the rapid expansion of mass tourism
and climate change.
In Zanzibar, tourism is a keystone of our Blue and Green economies, and it is this
that tourists are now seeking – research shows that 81% of global travellers favour
sustainable destinations – so going green is both a global responsibility and a
market opportunity.
Mitigate climate change by reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases.
Halt our destruction of biodiversity with which we share this archipelago, by conserving, regenerating
and restoring indigenous ecosystems, habitats and species, and supporting other
actors to do the same.
Protect, conserve and sustain the unique culture and heritage of Zanzibar, by preserving traditional
knowledge and wisdom, safeguarding sites from natural and non-natural hazards
and regenerate Zanzibar through cultural heritage.
Reduce pollution, including of solid, liquid, plastic and organic wastes.
Enhance the sustainable, and increasingly circular, Blue and Green economies of Zanzibar, further
augment nature-positive tourism, by using and replenishing renewable resources,
generating and supporting inclusive local value chains, and building local
capacity, generating sustainable and inclusive local jobs in the Zanzibar
economy, encompasing economic, social and environmental dimensions.
GREEN TOURISM ROADMAP FOR ZANZIBAR
Over the coming years, we, the stakeholders in the Zanzibar tourism community, will collaborate to develop and collectively
adopt achievable and meaningful Sustainable Tourism Standards, modelled on those
standards already developed in Tanzania and internationally, as appropriate for
Zanzibar. Adopting these standards will require changes to the industry and its
suppliers, in some cases in significant ways, so we will take a learning
approach to this process and share lessons collectively.
During 2023 we will inaugurate this Green Tourism Roadmap and adopt the Sustainable Tourism Commitments as set out below, identifying the steps we will take towards sustainable tourism targets in Zanzibar. It is envisioned that the commitments and targets will be reviewed and updated annually.
Sustainable Tourism Commitments for 2023
During 2023, the first year of this effort, we will focus on the following five areas of sustainability. This does
not preclude the adoption of other elements of sustainability. It is recognised
that there are interlinkages between each of the commitments and that a
cultural approach, increasing local green jobs, learning, collaboration and
promoting our efforts with staff and guests are embedded in each. A technical
group will be convened to support each of the commitments providing information
and guidance as feasible. Each tourism stakeholder is encouraged to adopt at
least three of the following five areas as appropriate to their operations. The
targets outlined are practical suggestions, but other targets may be adopted by
individual stakeholders.
1. Sustainable food from sea and land
As tourism stakeholders we will:
Learn about and use the Zanzibar Sustainable Seafood Guide and prioritise serving fish and seafood classified‘green’ or yellow’, avoiding those classified ‘red’.
Prioritise purchasing produce
in season from local farmers and producers, especially those using sustainable
farming practices (e.g. organic or permaculture)
Increase incorporation of indigenous vegetables, and traditional Zanzibari recipes and dishes.
Actively communicate withour guests about our efforts and sensitize our suppliers.
Tangible Target: At least one local
sustainable food option is available and communicated to guests with every meal.
2. Sustainable waste management
As tourism stakeholders we will:
Coordinate efforts to increase action for more sustainable waste management in Zanzibar, including
staff and supplier trainings, strengthening of reduce, reuse and recycling
initiatives, decrease in waste of all kinds especially organic and plastic and
actively share data and insights for building knowledge and action around this topic.
Make efforts to separate
our waste and compost our organic waste ensuring that it does not go to
landfill, a source of methane emissions.
Reduce our plastic waste
and consider committing to becoming a signatory of the One Planet Network Global Tourism Plastics
Initiative in 2023, involving among other, the elimination of all problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items by 2025
Tangible Targets: Offer plastic-free options for water and other drinks (e.g. using refillable glass bottles), adopt a food waste reduction program and increase composting and recycling.
3. Space for nature and restoring ecosystems
As tourism stakeholders we will:
Take steps to conserve and restore Zanzibar indigenous plants, animals and ecosystems on land under our stewardship, including the control and removal of invasive alien species.
Actively work towards supporting and adopting the Best Practice Guidelines being developed for Tourism Operation in Zanzibar Ecosystems in our facility construction, property development and landscape management.
Support local and regional initiatives to restore ecosystems and biodiversity directly and through
promotion to our guests (e.g. the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, AFR100).
Support the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism’s Space-for-Nature Campaign
Tangible Target: Train gardening teams to identify and increase indigenous plants and control invasive alien species in property grounds
– aiming for an increase in wildlife, natural habitat and space for nature.
4. Support local Zanzibar culture, knowledge and expertise
As tourism stakeholders we:
Actively work together with other tourism industry players, communities and the public sector to build
awareness, strengthen traditional skills and craftsmanship and jointly find solutions for the protection and safeguard of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Zanzibar and its associated wisdom and traditional practices
- Actively learn about, incorporate and promote local Zanzibari culture as part of our operations(within architecture, decoration, art, local history, cuisine, music, dance, crafts, boutique/souvenir sales, authentic tours promoted etc.), and promoting local jobs.
Tangible Targets: Increased offers of Zanzibari cultural tours, increase in local cultural elements on display in tourism operations and incorporation of heritage sites into tourism value chains.
5. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations
As tourism stakeholders we will:
- Learn where our main greenhouse gas emissions arise and take steps to reduce them.
Consider signing up to the
Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in
Tourism making use of the tools and resources
Coordinate and collaborate
with other stakeholders in the Zanzibar Tourism industry to work towards
emissions reductions and other actions for climate change adaptation and
mitigation
Tangible Targets: Prepare a preliminary emissions reduction
plan including such measures as installing LED lighting and adopting a Dark
Skies outdoor lighting policy (i.e. low-level, low-wattage downlighting and path
lights to reduce light pollution).
Disclaimer: As a signatory to the declaration I agree to be contacted by ZCT (and possibly partners) in the framework of setting up and implementing the Zanzibar Declaration. My contact details will not be share nor used for any other purposes than the Zanzibar Declaration.
