ConservationisKeytoTourism

Conservation is key to tourism

By Neville Ntema

Leisure and tourism have become part of world culture and international economies. In Africa, and Namibia in particular, tourism is a strong contributor to GDP and has been on a positive trajectory for a number of years. It is also a key enabler for many communities and homes in Namibia. However, as this much needed sector of the economy continues to soar, if it is not managed and well-supported, it could be destructive to the host communities and wider ecosystem.

RMB has chosen to support a key challenge that threatens the very existence of the sector: Poaching, especially rhino poaching.

Purpose Through Partnership

RMB's purpose to develop Namibia’s capital markets has led us to support the Save the Rhino Trust through sponsoring the Ride for Rhinos initiative. We believe that this initiative embodies our purpose. We have found that our actions together with our partners activate sustainable conservation of the Damaraland ecosystem, and support the protection of rhinos that are under threat to poaching.

After five years of sponsoring the Ride for Rhinos initiative with our partners – Wilderness Safari, Cymot and Venture Media – we learnt that doing what is right through joint actions has unlocked numerous possibilities which we deem to be sustainable in wildlife conservation.

Community Support

The Save the Rhino mission, which we back through Ride for Rhinos, boosts the demand for tourism to Namibia as tourists come and experience a rhino species that almost became extinct due to poaching. Tourism establishments and accommodation facilities for tourists provide sustainable employment for locally recruited staff, who in turn support their homes and dependents and create multiple benefits in their communities.

Save the Rhino Trust

We contribute to the challenges faced by the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping the rhinos safe. With our funding we ensure that they can carry out their work and call of duty over the long term. The more partnerships we have, the more sustainable the mission becomes.

Impact on Clients and Government

RMB's support for Save the Rhino through the Ride for Rhinos initiative creates further collaboration opportunities for our clients who are proud partners in the Ride for Rhinos initiative. By supporting the Save the Rhino campaigns we also aid government efforts to curb poaching, and market our unique Namibian tourism offering.

That’s why I 'Ride for Rhinos'.

Neville Ntema is Head of Forex Product House, RMB Namibia

Read more about Ride for Rhinos:

http://www.savetherhinotrust.org/

https://www.savetherhino.org/programmes/save-the-rhino-trust/

https://www.travelnewsnamibia.com/news/stories/conservation/five-years-of-ride-for-rhinos/

https://conservationtourism.com.na/blog/rmb-namibia-ride-for-rhinos-in-damaraland