Sao Tome Tourism and Environment (SAOTOME Case)
CASE NUMBER: 207
CASE MNEMONIC: SAOTOME
CASE NAME: Sao Tome Tourism and Environment
A. Identification
1. The Issue
The race to increase the tourism inflow to the island of Sao
Tome and Principe, led primarily by international private
investors, may potentially lead to serious ramifications for the
poverty-stricken country desperate for the foreign exchange
tourists promise. However, Sao Tome is institutionally and
physically incapable of handling the environmental impact that even
relatively small numbers of tourists imply. Sao Tome's delicate and
small number of ecosystems should be a serious consideration in
developeržs plans to bring tourists to the country. Currently, the
lack of cultural importance placed on the environment combined with
the lack of institutional capacity to address environmental issues
place them as last priority.
2. Description
Situated in the Gulf of Guinea, about 300 kilometers off the
coast of Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
consists of two islands, with a total population estimated at
117,000. The population is estimated to be growing at a rate of 2.6
percent per annum. Sao Tome faces endowment constraints;
geographic isolation, a small domestic market with diseconomies of
scale, lack of infrastructure and human capital, and a limited
natural resource base. The island has fewer resources than most but
not all other small island economies. With a low GNP per capita,
about US$ 340, Sao Tome is in the lower end of the low-income range
for developing countries.
Sao Tome has suffered several disruptive developments since
independence in 1975 from Portugal, adversely affecting economic
performance in the 1980s. The mass departure at independence of the
European population, along with many Santomean elite and Cape
Verdean laborers, left the country bereft of skills. A side effect
was the breakdown of the strict discipline on the colonial cocoa
plantations. For a small island economy, the Santomean export trade
is relatively underdeveloped. As a result of the failure to
diversify and cultivate export markets, Sao Tome ran a US$ 91
million current account deficit in 1992.
Tourism and the Environment
The government of Sao Tome and Principe has no plan for
encouraging tourism. "Today, virtually anybody with money and
patience can come in and build. Sao Tome is one of the last corners
of the earth yet to encounter tourism. It was once a forgotten
Portuguese colony and between 1974 and 1990 was isolated under
Soviet influence, when tourism was strictly discouraged." Sao
Tome is well-endowed with natural beauty, and without careful
government planning, the onslaught of tourists is endless and
possibly uncontrollable. This could result in a disastrous ending
to the mostly undisturbed ecosystem in Sao Tome. Although the
traditional people have had a negative impact on the environment
due to lack of environmental and health education, their population
size has not been substantial enough to affect the same harm a
potentially large population of tourists might have.
"The landscape on Sao Tome runs from thick jungle to fields of
corn and wild grass to blond and black sand beaches; just offshore
sit volcanic lumps left from formation days. The north is drier,
and in some places land once used for sugarcane production has
become desiccated. Rocky, arid land along the coast sports fan
palms and giant baobabs. The south side is rainier. It is more open
and grassier, with fields dotted by palm trees. Sao Tome and its
sister island, Principe, support incredibly rich endemic flora and
fauna, including 30 species and 20 sub-species of birds, 2 species
of bat, one of shrew, and 148 of plants. Supposedly "lost" species
of birds have been identified-the dwarf olive ibis, the Sao Tome
fiscal shrike, the Sao Tome short-tail, and the Sao Tome grosbeak.
Sea turtles proliferate in the shallows around the island. ...
Poverty is pervasive. These are jungle people, living mostly in
shacks made of rough planking. They wash their clothes in the
streams that come down from the hills. They eat what they can grow
or catch. They get up with the sun and go to bed shortly after it
sets."
A range of Europeans, primarily Portuguese and French tourists
are beginning to vacation in Sao Tome, and a hundred or so
potential hoteliers have expressed interest in building high-rise
hotels along beach-front property. Although sustainable tourism
could be translated into much need foreign capital, no government
management means no sight of environmental protection and
education. For a country with little infrastructure, (buildings-
public and private are left without repair and toppling over) dirt
and pot hole filled roads do not support bus transportation, or
landing jet planes for that matter, little attention to the
tourististic impact on the environment is likely to be taken up as
an issue.
There is fear that big hotels and mass tourism will destroy
not only the beauty of the island but its culture, turning Sao Tome
into little more than a catering service for carousing vacationers
less interested in the country's incredible bird life than in
simply a good weekend package deal. Exotic flowers as well as
anything carved from the shells of endangered sea turtles are sold
in the town square to vacationers. Poor management of tourism,
whether eco-oriented or not, will most likely result in money in
the pockets of a few elite, rather than sustained development of a
very poor country in need of new infrastructure, private sector
activity and education.
Environmental problems in Sao Tome are not yet that severe or
widespread. The country has resisted exporting timber from its rain
forests, and agriculture has also historically not led to soil
erosion. The recent volcanic origin of the islands has precluded
the development of mineral resources with its associated
environmental impacts. Nonetheless, the country's economic
development aspirations will depend upon undertaking activities and
implementing policies that risk exerting additional stresses on the
environment. Although Sao Tome currently can sustain the population
of 117,000, with the population growth rate at 2.6 percent,
population and tourism increases is an indirect cause of almost
every environmental problem in the country and if unchecked will
continue to threaten existing resources at an increasingly large
scale. Poor water quality, forest degradation, species loss,
widespread malaria, threats to primary forest and bio-diversity,
erosion on steep slopes caused by vegetable growing, fisheries
loss, improper handling of toxic and hazardous substances and
coastal erosion due to sand extraction are all problems of concern,
with the highest priority being providing safe drinking water.
(Only 20 percent of the population has access to safe drinking
water, and 95 percent of the population is infected with intestinal
parasites due to lack of water treatment facilities).
3. Related Cases
JAMTOUR Case
EGYPT Case
Key Words:
(1): Domain = AFRica
(2): Bio-geography = TROP
(3): Environmental Problem = TOURism
4. Draft Author: Sarah Sipkins
B. LEGAL FILTERS
5. Discourse and Status: DISagreement and ALLEGation
The general discourse of this case involves the following
parties; 1) the government of Sao Tome and Principe who would like
to continue seeing tourists and investors foreign exchange flow
into the country, but who cannot afford to invest any revenue into
environmental conservation or education, 2) Santomean natives who
living in poverty, are uneducated about environmental degradation
and in fact add to Sao Tome ecological problems, 3) Tourist and
Investors who want to visit or develop Sao Tome for the pleasure or
profit of its natural beauty, 4)Environmentalist, and who would
like to see the preservation of Sao Tome's mainly undisturbed
nature and ecosystem, 5)International Organizations who would like
to see tourism revenues lead to managed development and poverty
alleviation. The status of this case is not well-defined, nor
developed. In its primary stage, all parties may be aware of
environmental considerations of a developing tourist influx to Sao
Tome. Reports and articles are beginning to surface in
internationally recognized publications, but remain few and
scattered.
6. Forum and Scope: SAOTOME and UNILATeral
Sao Tome is plagued with economic hardships, (GNP per capita
is $340, they rely on a small domestic market weighted to one
sector-informal services, the population lacking in basic skills
outside this sector. In addition they have a weak legal and
regulatory system. At present there is no Court in place in which
to resolve economic, financial, or environmental disputes. Any laws
or environmental policies will have to come from Government
initiative, possibly financially supported by international
organization, such as UNDP or the World Bank.
7. Decision Breadth: 1
Sao Tome and Principe is the only country involved, however,
environmental protection may come through support of international
organizations, UN, World Bank, NGOs.
8. Legal Standing: LAW
A perusal of the Colectanea de Legislacao (1975-1989) which
contains a list of international treaties and protocols to which
Sao Tome is a party indicates that the country has done very little
with regard to participating in conventions and treaties relating
to environmental concerns. Sao Tome has ratified the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, and the regional OAU
Bamako Convention on Hazardous Wastes in 1991. However, the country
has not yet ratified the CITIES Convention, the Vienna Convention
on the Ozone Layer, the Montreal Protocol, the Basel Convention on
Hazardous Wastes, the RAMSAR, CFC Control or the Marine Pollution
Conventions. It is understood that the Government is considering
ratification of CITES and the Basel Convention. Sao Tome has
initiated the process of laying out the legal framework for
environmental management. Currently however, there is no
legislation setting up protected areas or reserves. Many
environmental problems need to be addressed at the local and
national levels as well as a move from the Government to adhere to
international commitments or agreements.
C. GEOGRAPHIC FILTERS
9. Geographic Locations
a. Geographic domain: Africa
b. Geographic site: West Africa
c. Geographic impact: Sao Tome and Principe
10. Sub-National Factors: NO
11. Type of Habitat: TROP Tropical Rainy Forest and Savanna
D. TRADE FILTERS
12. Type of Measure: Regulatory Standard (REGSTD)
There is currently a lack of policy, institutional capacity or
legislation geared explicitly for tourism control and environmental
protection. This is the key problem. However, there are sector
oriented controls that could apply such as fishing licensing,
building and land regulations, imposition of annual quotas of
tourists. Still there is currently no national legislation
pertaining to environmental protection, only sectoral enactments
dating from colonial times. Development of an institution mandated
to be responsible for coordinated activities in regard to
environmental protection and tourism effects, as well as the
passage of any relevant laws on species protection, water
purification, would qualify as measures. International
organizational support or involvement to develop or create means of
enforcement of laws would also be a measure.
13. Direct vs. Indirect Impacts
Any measures to quantify or quality the impact of tourism on
the environment in Sao Tome would most likely result in expenses to
the Government. The number of tourists who visit Sao Tome is still
limited by the few flights that bring tourists in. In this respect,
the Government is unlikely to try to limit the inflow of tourists
who are a source of foreign capital. At the same time, as the
tourist trade increases, the risk that environmental dangers will
arise increases. Environmental legislation will likely not affect
the number of tourists who visit, but will probably ensure controls
on their behavior, especially that of investors. In this respect,
laws and regulations may deter or encourage foreign investors to
spend money in Sao Tome depending on their interest of conditions
in Sao Tome. Clearly a careful balance and management of
restricting or encouraging visitors to Sao Tome is needed.
14. Relation of Trade Measure to Resource Impact
Directly Related: Yes
Indirectly Related: Yes, Tourism
Not related: No
Process: Yes
15. Trade Product Identification: Tourism
16. Economic Data
Tourism remains a small percentage of GDP income, however is
an important source of foreign currency. Yet for other indicators,
there is a significant problem in the country relating to the
availability of accurate data in key sectors such as water supply
and management, land and forest management, education, health and
agriculture. There is little or no data on the environment
ramification of tourism. The Department of Economics and Statistics
keeps records of sectoral information. However, the major problem
is accuracy of the data as there are few independent mechanisms for
verifying them. For example, Sao Tome basically has to rely on the
figures that foreign fishing companies provide since Sao Tome has
no way of patrolling or otherwise monitoring the catch of foreign
fishing fleets. The Ministry of Social Infrastructure and the
Environment is the agency in charge of surveying and mapping. The
latest maps that were generated were from 1974, dating from
colonial times.
17. Impact of Trade Restriction: LOW
18. Industry Sector: Services (S)
19. Exporters and Importers: Many and Sao Tome and Principe
E. ENVIRONMENT FILTERS
20. Environmental Problem Type: HABITat Loss
This would include coastal erosion, non-toxic solid waste
pollution, fisheries loss, inappropriate use of pesticides,
fungicides, and certain agro-chemicals. Whereas the natives are the
primary source of waste problems, tourists add to the sink problems
of air, land and sea polluted with trash and waste by humans. The
Source problems reflect the possible detrimental effects to
species, flora, fauna, and marine alike that will face increased
exposure to use by more people resulting from increase in
population and tourists.
21. Number of Species
The name and number of species that are at risk is still
difficult to define for Sao Tome due to the lack of information and
resources available in making such estimates. However the habitat
changes will certainly affect sea turtles, wetland habitats due to
wetlands drainage from malaria eradication, soil erosion, slope
stability, threats to primary forest and bio-diversity; loss of
fisheries and avifauna from agriculture and domestic pesticide use;
coastal erosion due to sand extraction; and water quality.
22. Resource Impact: LOW and REGULatory
The country's economic development aspirations will depend
upon undertaking activities and implementing policies that risk
exerting additional stresses on the environment. The pressure on
natural resources, although categorically rated "low", will be
exacerbated by a growing population and tourism industry. Although
the direct impact may be low, it is constant and thus a threat to
the maintenance of a balanced eco-system, scarce resources and
existing rare species. This requires a need for regulatory and
legislative action on the part of the Government to address the
issue before it becomes one of severity.
23. Urgency of Problem: LOW and 100s of years
24. Substitutes
Substitute: No substitutes exist for Santomean indigenous
species or the exotic island's appeal to tourist.
F. OTHER FACTORS
25. Culture
Many environmental issues stem from a lack of cultural
tradition pertaining to land ownership and resource management. The
lack of a land-holding tradition leads to short-sighted behavior
resulting in degradation of land. Land is not regarded as a long-
term assets that belongs to people to manage or mismanage. They are
therefore not likely to worry about future problems with their own
land, arising out of current mismanagement. Soil erosion is often
the resultant problem.
Lack of importance attached to sanitary standards may also be
a problem. žAs a consequence of dumping trash in vacant plots and
of poorly maintained drainage systems, infestation of a variety of
vectors, including rats,mice, and mosquitos are found throughout
the city of Sao Tome and its periphery. Malaria epidemics and
intestinal disease including ameba, diarrhea and parasites,-which
affect 97% of the population- are consequences of the poor
environmental sanitation.
Culture: Yes
26. Human Rights
Human Rights: No
27. Trans-Boundary Issues
Trans-Border: No
28. Relevant Literature
Bowermaster, Jon, " Is this the last outpost of innocence?"
Conde Nast Traveler, December 1994.p.143.
Burnie, David, "Ecotourists to Paradise," New Scientist,
142:23-27,April 16, 1994.
Cater, Erlet, "Ecotourism in the Third World: Problems for
Sustaining Development," Tourism Management, 14:85-90, April 1993.
Ceballos-Lascurain, Hector, "Tourism, Ecotourism, and
Protected Areas," Parks, 2:31-35, November 1991.
Dabrowski, Piotr, "Tourism for Conservation, Conservation
for Tourism," Unasylva ,45,No.176:42-44, 1994.
"Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Country
Economic Memorandum and Key Elements of an Environmental
Strategy." The World Bank. Report No. 10383. June 9, 1993.
Executive Summary.
Economist Intelligence Unit, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra
Leone,1994, p.4.
Fowkes, John and Fowkes, Sandra, "Roles for Private Sector
Eco-tourism in Protected Areas," Parks,2:26-30, November 1991.
Hodges, Tony,"Combating Cocoa Colonialism,"Africa Report,
31:1-66, January/February 1986.
ILO (Bureau Internacional do Travalho. Por Uma Promocao das
Micro e Pequenas Empresas Arteanais em Sao Tome e Principe.
Servico do Desenvolvimento e da Gestao das Empresas, Genebra,
agosto de 1991.
Jonas, Maggie, "Sao Tome e Principe; Donors Help to Bring
Islands Out of Isolation," African Business, No.96:20-21, August
1986.
Peck, Jerry, Memorandum "SaoTome:Considerations for a
Possible Future Operation" The World Bank,Washington, D.C. June
25, 1994.
Pleumarom, Anita, "Political Economy of Tourism," Ecologist.
24,No. 4: 142-48, July-August 1994.
"Sao Tome and Principe: Government to Adopt SAP," Africa
Economic Digest, 15:p.36, December 19,1994-January 1, 1995.
"Sao Tome et Principe:La Republic des Hommes Sages," Jeune
Afrique Economie, No.170:115-210. August 1993. A group of
articles devoted to Sao Tome and Principe.
Santos, Fredricka, Back to Office Report on Sao Tome and
Principe, "Possible Third Phase of a Structural Adjustment
Credit, Exploratory Mission", Washington, D.C., June 27, 1994.
Septime, Martin, "L'Evolution Economique de Sao Tome et
Principe," Afrique Contemporaire, No. 166:45-51, April-June 1993.
Sipkins, Sarah and Fidler, Peter, Informal Sector Assessment
of Sao Tome and Principe, Internal Working Paper No. 8,AF5IE,
December 15, 1994.p.1.
Smith, Russell Arthur, "Planning and Management for Coastal
Eco-tourism in Indonesia: a Regional Perspective," Indonesian
Quarterly. 22, No.2:148-57, 1994.
Yumiseva, Hilda, "Characteristics, Regulatory and Legal
Framework of the Sao Tomean Private Sector," World Bank Staff
Paper,August 1993 SAC II supervision mission. Washington, D.C.:
World Bank, September 1993.
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