Zero Footprint – A Viable Concept for Climate-Friendly Tourism in Africa?

Abstract

The tourism industry is a strong sector in the global economy and has been growing continuously over the past decades. Africa which remains one of the poorest continents is benefiting from its appeal as a tourist destination, primarily for safaris and wildlife hunting, and has expanded its share of tourism arrivals and revenues. However, this positive momentum of tourism development is tainted by the debate on climate change which has put emissions and ecological impacts of economic activity in the centre of attention. In this light, the tourism industry has itself become criticised for the traces it leaves on the environment through increased traffic, the construction of hotel complexes, the squandering of water resources or the disposal of wastes. The sum of these factors defines the ecological footprint of tourism and highlights the often unsustainable use of earth’s resources.