The Economics of Wildlife Tourism: Theory and Reality For Landholders in Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the economics of wildlife tourism in Africa. It demonstrates that as well as generating large revenues for governments, wildlife tourism makes significant contributions to other national economic goals such as foreign exchange earnings and employment creation. It supports a range of private entrepreneurs, both in the tourism sector and in secondary and support industries. For private and communal landholders, substantial profits can potentially be gained from wildlife tourism. In recent years, the participation of the private sector in wildlife tourism and its use on private and communal lands in Africa has increased rapidly. This chapter assesses the conditions necessary for this participation to increase still further.