III.IV.IV. Awareness activities for local tourist guides

During last years, tourism has grown to such an extent that it is now directly damaging the natural environment of Socotra and that it is highly unsustainable. The infrastructure developments related to tourism are increasing rapidly, also in protected areas such as Firmihin. Tourists do not respect (or understand) the fragility of the island’s natural (and cultural) environment and the crucial roles of local culture and indigenous guides. Most tourists use local tourist agencies and their guides services. Increasing awareness of tourist guides and their knowledge of value of nature is an important task. Tourist guides are an important target group in educational activities of the project and training on how to protect the environment, and endangered trees, is key.

In September 2024, the project team organised a large event engaging ecotourism guides to discuss the importance of nature conservation in Socotra and the team discussed examples of illegal collection of endangered species, with emphasis on endangered trees. This event, organised at the Kuwait College in Hadiboh on the 11th of September, 2024, included local authorities and a large number of tourist guides from various local tourism agencies on Socotra. Local authorities were represented by the head of the ministry of tourism (Socotra Branch), the Deputy Governor, the chairman of EPA, head of the Socotra police, and head of local security. The initiative included presentations about the project, as well as presentations about the importance of safeguarding the environment, and interactive discussions and question-answer sessions with all participants. The engagement was very high and the meeting was highly constructive, and needed, as tourism is strongly increasing on Socotra, but disconnecting too often from actual sustainable ecotourism. Therefore, this kind of awareness meetings are key for local conservation.