| Adventure travel and Africa holidays are searched for | | | | world belongs to humanity and we all have a right to |
| online more and more frequently. As information is | | | | explore it - in essence who are we to deliberately |
| accessed effortlessly through modern technology our | | | | limit demand by only allowing the development of |
| world gets smaller and more and more people want | | | | luxury tourism in any given space. Surely education is |
| more varied travel experiences. Tourism is one of | | | | key to human development and what better |
| Africa's key potential markets and it is estimated | | | | knowledge does one gain than to experience Africa |
| that, over the next decade, it will become the single | | | | for themselves. Exploring does allow people to come |
| biggest contributor to Southern African GDP. But can | | | | to a better understanding of the very principles of |
| we protect Africa's ecosystems, endangered species | | | | sustainability that govern the future of the world's |
| and diversity? I think the answer is yes and many | | | | ecosystem. |
| African Governments including the Zambian | | | | The response to this argument would be that we |
| Government are working toward a model of low | | | | must educate ourselves on the issues surrounding our |
| impact, high yield responsible tourism. | | | | delicate ecosystems, sustainability and local |
| Many people who have explored African countries | | | | community needs so that exceptional guest |
| like Zambia on adventure holidays or African safari will | | | | experiences can be achieved without the need for a |
| know they have been virtually untouched by the | | | | blanket approach of excessive price tags for lavish |
| tourist masses. Many would argue that these | | | | travel experiences like wine-tasting and private |
| countries must remain this way. But these wilderness | | | | experiences. |
| areas rich in wildlife and natural beauty are a precious | | | | A more genuine adventure travel experience like |
| potentially profitable resource that belongs to Africa | | | | camping instead of five star hotel luxuries can also be |
| and we all know that these profits are much needed. | | | | a very special yet sustainable experience if |
| What Zambia, Africa, service providers, | | | | Governments, service providers, local people and |
| Governments, local people and visitors must do is | | | | visitors to places like Zambia in Africa work together |
| recognise the value of these resources and sustain | | | | for the good of preserving Africa's ecosystems and |
| them. Conserving these wilderness areas and ensuring | | | | natural diversity. |
| that the local communities benefit from tourism | | | | So the informed visitor can make a difference and |
| activities, will ensure these wild areas have a future. | | | | play a crucial part in Africa's quest for sustainable |
| One way to achieve this is through luxury adventure | | | | tourism whether they travel in luxury or on a budget |
| travel. Extravagance has a way of naturally minimising | | | | or anything in between. Experience endangered |
| demand so that tourism is low impact but produces a | | | | species which have been successfully protected, visit |
| high yield. Luxury travel is indeed one of the few | | | | local community projects that happen as a result of |
| sectors of tourism that is not being negatively | | | | key partnerships between service providers and local |
| affected by the current economic market. | | | | people and enjoy the natural splendor Africa has to |
| However, some travel experts would argue that the | | | | offer. The key is to respect it. |