WIOMSA is pleased to announce the release of the Mafia Island Nature-Based Tourism Case Study, authored by the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation with support from a SCALABLE grant provided by WIOMSA. This comprehensive report presents an in-depth assessment of Mafia Island’s unique natural capital, current tourism dynamics, and the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable tourism development in the region.
Key findings highlight Mafia Island’s status as a low-density, high-value destination, recognized for its globally significant marine and terrestrial ecosystems, including Tanzania’s oldest marine protected area, a Ramsar site, and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The report identifies critical risks posed by unmanaged tourism growth and outlines three urgent priorities for action: establishing a sustainable tourism carrying capacity framework, developing a formal Tourism Development and Management Plan, and implementing robust data systems for informed decision-making.
This publication provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to sustainable, community-centered tourism across the Western Indian Ocean. Access the full report here.
To learn more about the regional report on Nature-Based Tourism in the Western Indian Ocean, including the Mafia Island case study, visit Development of a regional report on nature-based tourism (NBT) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, including a case study on Mafia Island – WIOMSA