Responses and Impacts of COVID-19 on East Africa’s Tourism Industry

Ezra, Peter Marwa; Kitheka, Benard; Sabuhoro, Edwin; Riungu, Geoffrey K.; Sirima, Agnes; Amani, Annah

doi:10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.188

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The pandemic and the associated travel restrictions and periodic suspension of great ape visits have revealed the over-dependency on tourism (Ezra et al, 2021). Alternative financial mechanisms are needed to provide a safety net for communities when tourism does not bring in the much-needed resources.…”

Section: Eco-tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apes and Agriculture

Meijaard¹,

Unus²,

Ariffin³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Non-human great apes – chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans – are threatened by agricultural expansion particularly from rice, cacao, cassava, maize, and oil palm cultivation. Agriculture replaces and fragments great ape habitats, bringing them closer to humans and often resulting in conflict. Though the impact of agriculture on great apes is well-recognized, there is still a need for more nuanced understanding of specific contexts and associated effects on habitats and populations. Here we review these contexts and highlight synergistic and antagonistic co-occurrences between agriculture, both subsistence and commercial, and great apes. We estimate that one individual great ape shares its habitat with about 100 people, mostly outside protected areas. This makes it challenging to balance the needs of both humans and great apes given the growing human population and increasing demand for resources. Further habitat loss is expected, particularly in Africa, where compromises must be sought to re-direct agricultural expansion driven by subsistence farmers with small fields (generally <0.64 ha) away from remaining great ape habitats. To promote coexistence between humans and great apes, new approaches and financial models need to be implemented at local scales. More broadly, optimized land use planning, along with strategic investments in agriculture and wildlife conservation, can maximize the synergy between conservation and food production. Effective governance and conservation financing are crucial for optimal outcomes in both conservation and food security. Enforcing forest conservation laws, engaging in trade policy discussions, and integrating policies on trade, food security, circular agriculture, and sustainable food systems are vital to prevent further decline in great ape populations. Saving great apes requires consideration of the specific agricultural contexts, not just focusing on the apes themselves.

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Section: Eco-tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apes and Agriculture

Meijaard¹,

Unus²,

Ariffin³

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While nature-based tourism can benefit great apes and local communities, it is unlikely to positively influence significant parts of the great apes' range soon. The pandemic and the associated travel restrictions and periodic suspension of great ape visits have revealed the over-dependency on tourism (Ezra et al, 2021). Alternative financial mechanisms are needed to provide a safety net for communities when tourism does not bring in the much-needed resources.…”

Section: Eco-tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apes and agriculture

Meijaard,

Unus,

Ariffin

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Non-human great apes – chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans – are threatened by agricultural expansion, particularly from rice, cacao, cassava, maize, and oil palm cultivation. Agriculture replaces and fragments great ape habitats, bringing them closer to humans and often resulting in conflict. Though the impact of agriculture on great apes is well-recognized, there is still a need for a more nuanced understanding of specific contexts and associated negative impacts on habitats and populations. Here we review these contexts and their implications for great apes. We estimate that within their African and South-East Asian ranges, there are about 100 people for each great ape. Given that most apes live outside strictly protected areas and the growing human population and increasing demand for resources in these landscapes, it will be challenging to balance the needs of both humans and great apes. Further habitat loss is expected, particularly in Africa, where compromises must be sought to re-direct agricultural expansion driven by subsistence farmers with small fields (generally <0.64 ha) away from remaining great ape habitats. To promote coexistence between humans and great apes, new approaches and financial models need to be implemented at local scales. Overall, optimized land use planning and effective implementation, along with strategic investments in agriculture and wildlife conservation, can improve the synergies between conservation and food production. Effective governance and conservation financing are crucial for optimal outcomes in both conservation and food security. Enforcing forest conservation laws, engaging in trade policy discussions, and integrating policies on trade, food security, improved agricultural techniques, and sustainable food systems are vital to prevent further decline in great ape populations. Saving great apes requires a thorough consideration of specific agricultural contexts.

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“…Local people in Kenya and Tanzania, can gain income from operating tourist lodges and wildlife safaris, and from associated spinoff activities. Regrettably, the COVID-19 pandemic, a global zoonotic disease, in East Africa (Ezra et al, 2021) has had significant negative impacts on national and local economies which has resulted in falling employment (McNamara et al, 2020). In Kenya alone, COVID-19 rendered more than three million people jobless and affected thousands of households that previously depended on direct and indirect revenues from tourism and related streams (Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing disease risk perceptions of wild meat in savanna borderland settlements in Kenya and Tanzania

Patel

Martin

Funk³

et al. 2023

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Wild meat hunting and trade across African savannas is widespread. We interviewed 299 people in rural settlements along the Kenya-Tanzania border to examine impacts of COVID-19 on wild meat consumption and perceptions about wild meat activities associated with zoonotic disease risks. Education level played a key part in understanding COVID-19 transmission. Information about the pandemic was mostly acquired from the media. Nearly all respondents recognized that COVID-19 originated in China. As many as 70% reported no impact of COVID-19 on wild meat consumption; some believed that there was an increase. Over half of the respondents believed that consumption of wild meat leads to food-borne illnesses. Respondents recognized disease risks such as anthrax and brucellosis and accepted that people slaughtering and handling wild meat with open cuts were at greater risk. Ungulates were the most consumed animals, followed by birds, rodents, and shrews. Respondents perceived that hyenas, monkeys, donkeys, and snakes were riskier to eat. More than 90% of the respondents understood that handwashing with soap reduces risks of disease transmission. Country level (11 answers), education and gender (three answers each) and household economy (158 answers) were significant. Country differences were linked to differences in nature legislation; 50% of Kenyan respondents believed that wild meat should not be sold because of conservation concerns. Men were more worried about getting COVID-19 from live animals and perceived that wildlife should not be sold because of conservation reasons. Overall, there was a very strong inclination to stop buying wild meat if other meats were less expensive. Our results allow us to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wild meat-related activities. Differences between countries can frame the attitudes to wild meat since wild meat trade and consumption were found to be country specific.

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Responses and Impacts of COVID-19 on East Africa’s Tourism Industry

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Apes and Agriculture

Apes and Agriculture

Apes and agriculture

Assessing disease risk perceptions of wild meat in savanna borderland settlements in Kenya and Tanzania

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