Tour operators, travel companies and travellers who draw benefits from the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya have been called upon to deepen the action they take to guard against threats to the famed wilderness area.

Established under Serengeti Watch, a non-profit Earth Island Institute project that seeks to build a permanent framework of support, advocacy and funding for the region, Friends of Serengeti offers membership expressly for travel companies, in recognition of tourism's role in building guard rails and becoming firmly aligned with conservation.

“The Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem has entered a critical phase, and decisions taken now will shape its future. This is a significant time for both the ecosystem and the local communities, and travel companies have a key role to play. The foundational message of Friends of Serengeti is that those who use the Serengeti, travel companies and their travellers, need to give back. And those who give back should benefit from their efforts,” said Serengeti Watch Founder and Director David Blanton.

The organisation was established in response to the growing impacts of climate change, burgeoning human and livestock populations, invasive plant species and threatened water resources on the ecosystem. Conservation experts have also added tourism to this list.

“Tourism compounds other threats by adding vehicles, roads, lodges and other infrastructure to the ecosystem, in the process disrupting wildlife hunting, reproduction, and access to key river areas. In a new development, Maasai pastoralists are being pressured to leave their traditional lands to make way for more tourist development,” Blanton said.

Members of Friends of the Serengeti commit to:

• Upholding best practices of responsible and sustainable tourism.
• Supporting the rights and livelihoods of local communities.
• Educating travellers and the public.
• Encouraging travellers to support conservation and community programmes.
• Monitoring the ecosystem and reporting issues for collective action.
• Ensuring local operators and guides maintain high standards.
• Collectively advocating for responsible tourism policies.

“Membership in Friends of Serengeti offers a new marketplace for safari operators, lodges, and hotels. It gives member companies an important way to stand out and get noticed by conservation-minded travellers. Companies can use the Friends of Serengeti logo and other marketing materials and internet listings,” said Blanton.

Engaging travellers in conservation

Members involve their travellers by giving them information on issues and asking them for voluntary donations when paying for their trips, which are then channelled into projects identified by Friends of Serengeti with partner associations.

The initiative has been modelled on the successful International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, founded by Blanton, which shows that travellers are willing to give and like to feel they're part of the solution.

Joining Friends of Serengeti

Membership is open to international outbound tour operators of all sizes who send travellers to Kenya or Tanzania, as well as to East African operators. Annual fees are US$600 for international companies and $400 for East African companies.

For more information, click here to visit the Friends of Serengeti website.