Ecotourism in the intergovernmental authority on development (IGAD) region: an untapped potential with considerable socio-economic opportunities

Abstract

Ecotourism is an important and rapidly growing “niche market” within the global tourism industry, which offers an opportunity to develop products that can contribute to national environmental conservation, socio-economic and cultural objectives by providing livelihoods for local communities and giving value to the maintenance of local traditions and culture. This study was commissioned by the Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to assess the level of ecotourism development in the region and identify how the existing opportunities can be harnessed to attain increased socio-economic development among member states.