Africa Tour Operator Challenges Others by Diverting Some of Its Fees for Communities
Photo Credit: Niarra Travel believes its model, if successful, properties in Africa will have more money to devote to sustainability and conservation efforts. Pixabay / GoldFox18
Skift Take
Convincing travel companies to take less commission is a tall order, especially coming out of the pandemic. But Niarra Travel believes that getting more money into the hands of local communities requires bold steps and immediate action. The severe downturn in tourism revenue and its impact on Africa's wildlife and communities means that the time is now.
Tourism in Africa suffered mightily during the Covid era as border closures and travel restrictions resulted in billions of lost revenue and contributed to wiping out a large number of jobs in the industry. The downturn in tourism to the continent has also posed a major threat to wildlife since many poachers have felt free to go to locations where they don’t have to worry about being spotted by tourists.
So tour operator Niarra Travel is challenging the travel industry to do more to strengthen communities in Africa, hoping to set precedent and create a model for others.
The London-based company is taking substantially less than other tour operators in commissions — 10 percent in Niarra's case — that often chip away at profits which can be directed toward conservation and sustainability efforts.
Niarra is instead using the money that would have gone toward additional commission fees to help hotels and lodges pay for sustainability initiatives in
