The threat of COVID-19 to the conservation of Tanzanian national parks.

ABSTRACT: In many low-income countries, the conservation of natural resources in protected areas relies on tourism revenue. However, tourist numbers in Africa were severely reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus, putting the conservation of these important protected areas at risk. We use records from gate passings at national parks across Tanzania to demonstrate the immediate and severe impact on tourist numbers and revenues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions, and whether international and local (East African) tourists were affected equally. We discuss mechanisms that may reduce future negative impacts of sudden loss of revenue from international tourism, such as increasing the revenue portfolio and thereby decrease the dependency on revenues from international tourists

SUBMITTER: Ranke PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10067461 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature