Project title:  ECOTOURISM TRAINING IN SANGAREAH IN THE DUBREKA REGION 

Country:   GUINEA

Region: AFRICA

Current status:       Ongoing       Concluded

Duration (est.)/dates: November 2006 – January 2008

Partner entities:  Ministry of Tourism of Guinea; Guinean Tourism Board; Dubreka Prefecture; National Tourism Office of Guinea; Ayatou NGO

Source(s) of Funding: ST-EP Foundation

Executing Agency:  Ministry of Tourism of Guinea

Main project objectives: to develop ecotourism under the best possible conditions and to enable the communities to become involved in tourism activity and to provide quality tourism services.

Sangareah Bay is endowed with a lush natural environment that includes primary forests, mangrove forests, coral reefs and a scenic coastline. The site forms part of the worldwide RAMSAR network it is close to the capital Conakry, making it possible to attract residents and business persons travelling in Guinea. Its isolated location and lack of infrastructure have been identified as challenges that need to be taken into account for the further development of tourism in the destination.

Activities:

Fifty people were selected as target beneficiaries through tests and individual interviews. They received 3-months training in hygiene and food safety, reception and guiding techniques, ecotourism (including field training in the mangroves), cooking, accommodation and restaurant service, English language and Internet use. The involvement of all the tourism actors and the high level of motivation of the beneficiaries should be underlined.

Main project outputs/deliverables:

25 of the 50 beneficiaries had a job before the training and this enabled them to maintain or to assume greater responsibilities. 20 other beneficiaries found jobs as a result of their enhanced capacities with the establishment of new hotel structures in the zone and the opening of the new community-based camping site of Dubreka. Local guides work mainly on the weekends and some have been approached by hotels and travel agencies.

Remarks:   The training needs were identified in collaboration with the private sector enabling the project to be successful in the creation of jobs.