Tui’s Care Foundation sustainability arm is boosting efforts to protect a natural habitat in Mozambique.
The aim is to help protect the west African country’s Bazaruto Archipelago National Marine Park coastline by engaging the local community and the tourism industry.
The work will include carrying out a capacity study on the most popular dive sites.
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A licensing system is also being introduced to train 150 skippers on how to enforce regulations around maritime activities.
Sustainable tourism experiences will be created to attract at least 25,000 people participating in marine experiences annually.
They will be offered by licensed local skippers and local small and medium enterprises that service the islands.
“This will ensure proper economic participation of the local communities,” a statement said.
The initiative also focuses on supporting community development, including raising awareness of the park’s activities.
As many as 7,000 locals will be engaged in awareness raising activities on marine conservation and will get involved in campaigns and 2,000 people will receive training on sustainable fishing practices. Community members will also be trained in key skills to improve their livelihoods.
The ‘Tui Sea the Change Mozambique’ initiative is supported by the Tourism for Development Fund, launched by the Tui Care Foundation in collaboration with UN Tourism to support the sustainable development of tourism in least developed countries.
The fund supports projects designed to increase the capacity of destination communities by providing €10 million at least until 2030.
Other countries targeted include Cambodia, Laos, Rwanda, Senegal, The Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.