Collect fees from tourism activities on communal land for conservation projects

Collect fees from tourism activities on communal land for conservation

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Our Conservation Contribution Initiative

Similar to paying an entrance fee when entering a national park, TOSCO has designed a Conservation Contribution fee when traveling over communal land. Communities play a key role in conserving the natural environment and the wildlife that tourists come to see. With the funds from this fee, we give travellers, tour operators and film crews the opportunity to compensate communities for looking after the wildlife. This includes a daily fee of N$100 per visitor, which TOSCO collects on behalf of the respective conservancy at the end of the financial year.

In consultation with the conservancy, TOSCO supports projects that focus on mitigating human-wildlife conflict, responsible tourism and other needs identified by the community that help improve their livelihood standards. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between TOSCO and every participating conservancy as well as every participating tour operator. Currently, ten conservancies in the northwest of Namibia are part of the Conservation Contribution initiative:

Doro !Nawas Conservancy

Purros Conservancy

Sesfontein Conservancy

Torra Conservancy

Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy

Sorris Sorris Conservancy

Tsiseb Conservancy

Anabeb Conservancy

Marienfluss Conservancy

One of the projects that was made possible through Conservation Contribution fees is the De-Riet information – and craft centre in Torra Conservancy. Here, tourists can find information on how the conservancy operates and the wildlife they can find in the area, book a local guide to track desert-dwelling elephants, learn about the Riemvasmaker history and culture, and purchase refreshments and local crafts. With funds from the Conservation Contribution Programme, TOSCO also supported equipment and uniforms for game guards in Sesfontein, Puros, Tsiseb, Khoadi Hoas, Doro !Nawas, Anabeb and Ehi-Rovipuka Conservancies.

You can join our conservation contribution initiative in addition to being a TOSCO member or as a non-member or traveller. When you are a tour operator and travel over communal areas multiple times per year, contact us to arrange your annual Conservation Contribution.

Pay a Conservation Contribution now (for travellers):

Deane Spall

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Agnes Dury

My immense love for the natural world made me want to devote my life to conservation from an early age. My MSc in Tourism, Society, and Environment in the Netherlands grew my passion for the role sustainable tourism can take in conservation. As an avid traveler, I understand why exploring the unknown can be so enriching for many of us and I hope future generations can still enjoy traveling. I am originally from the Netherlands, and arrived in Namibia in 2016. It appeared the ultimate country to learn what successful conservation is about.

I could not have found a better organisation than TOSCO to involve tourism in the conservation equation. I joined TOSCO in 2019, initially coordinating the Desert Lion Program, and then became manager in 2020. Apart from that, I am involved in the Wildlife Credits program on behalf of TOSCO, partnering with WWF Namibia and CCFN. Through TOSCO and working with rural communities and other conservation partners, I really got to understand what successful conservation is about. I am very excited to grow TOSCO further with the team, broadening the connection between tourism and conservation by getting more of the tourism industry to join our movement, and deepening this connection by making conservation an integral part of tourism and the travel experience. I believe TOSCO with its team and programs can make a real difference!

Lara Potma

I am very excited to grow TOSCO further with the team, broadening the connection between tourism and conservation by getting more of the tourism industry to join our movement, and deepening this connection by making conservation an integral part of tourism and the travel experience. I believe TOSCO with its team and programs can make a real difference!