Providing fairly distributed income-earning opportunities
while protecting natural resources...

The goal of the Mali Sustainable Tourism Alliance (MSTA) is to help provide income-earning opportunities with fairly distributed benefits to all stakeholders while respecting and protecting the natural resources in the local communities. The activity will be carried out in the Mopti Region focusing on Dogon country.

The following regional and destination-specific activities have been assigned to local task forces of stakeholder representatives for implementation:

1) Strengthening Linkages between Tourism Development Activities and Natural Resource Stewardship
•    Delivery of tailored, targeted training
•    Identification and coordination of local environmental restoration projects
•    Implementation of alternative wood cooking sources 

2) Fostering Business Development and Investment, Strengthening Linkages and Local Capacity
•    Centralize the collection of tourism fees and establish a transparent method of revenue distribution to the region
•    Tourism training in guiding techniques and hotel/campement management throughout the region
•    Coordination of guide services
•    Increase market access for local artisans to sell their products
•    Promotion and marketing of the region
•    Establish community environmental goals and coordinate volunteers for environmental projects
•    Centralize booking and Internet services

3) Improving Enabling Conditions for Sustainable Tourism Development
•    Work with the local government on tourism policy issues

4) Implementing Tourism-based Mechanisms to Improve Tourism and Conservation Financing
•    Establish a Traveler Philanthropy Fund for investments in projects benefiting tourism development and conservation

5) Increasing Visitor and Community Awareness and Cultural Sensitivities while Reducing Impacts
•    Environmental and tourism award scheme for local SMEs and CBOs in the Pays Dogon
•    Community mobilization and participation
 

The Mali Sustainable Tourism Alliance Web site is Currently Under Development