Zimbabwe has committed to grow tourism in its national parks through new investment that will support wildlife protection and grow local economies.

The proposals were announced at the African Union and UN Environment Africa Wildlife Economy Summit in Victoria Falls, attended by the presidents of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia, and ministerial delegations from more than 12 African countries.

Zimbabwe will partner with the international conservation body, Space for Giants, and implement the Conservation Investment Initiatives outlined in its report, ‘Building a Wildlife Economy: Developing Nature-Based Tourism in African State Protected Areas’.

Tourism Update reported on The Toolkit developed in the report, which outlines seven steps African governments can take that will attract responsible tourism businesses to invest in protected areas under transparent contracts designed to increase socio-economic development while also bringing new money to fund conservation.

The Zimbabwe processes are expected to launch officially with Conservation Investment Forums during 2020.