The contribution of tourism development to the conservation of flora and fauna: Empirical results from Zimbabwe

This paper critically examines the contribution of tourism development to the conservation of floral and faunal species in Zimbabwe. The perceptions and views of practitioners and students in the tourism industry were collected through a structured questionnaire leading to the conclusions and recommendations contained herein. The key observations were that tourism contributes to environmental conservation in a significant way in Zimbabwe. It is also noted that information dissemination about conservation needs to be increased by the relevant stakeholders in order to uphold the standards set by Government policies. The paper concludes by proposing recommended action plans and steps that enhancesustainable tourism development.