Financing the sustainable management of Rwanda's protected areas

A novel analysis reveals that enhancing tourism experiences at Rwanda's Nyungwe National Park yields greater economic benefits for park management and regional well-being compared to mere adjustments in visitation fees. The study integrates stated preference techniques with regional computable general equilibrium modeling, capturing multisectoral impacts—direct, indirect, and induced—to assess revenue generation strategies. This approach demonstrates significant potential for improving sustainable park operations while addressing budget constraints, offering a scalable model for other protected areas facing similar financial challenges.

Banerjee, O., Cicowiez, M., Ochuodho, T., Masozera, M., Wolde, B., Lal, P., Dudek, S., & Alavalapati, J. R. R. (2018). Financing the sustainable management of Rwanda’s protected areas. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(8), 1381–1397. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1456541