The region recognises the urgent need to improve tourism infrastructure in readiness for the forecasted growth that could see the SADC region receiving approximately fifty-eight percent (58%) of the total continental traffic by 2027. Recent reports indicate that international tourist arrivals increased from 882 million in 2009 to 940 million in 2010 and reached 980 million in 2011. Tourism receipts improved from US$852 billion in 2009 to US$940 billion in 2010 (United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2012 Report). The UNWTO forecasts a growth of 3% for the sector in 2012 and expects international tourist arrivals to reach the one billion mark. It has also been observed that trends in the tourism markets show a shift from the traditional sun, sea and sand mass tourism to more personalised, responsible and experiential holidays. Tourists are attracted by ethical values relating to social, cultural and environmental responsibility within the places they visit and the products they use. Furthermore, growth in the sector’s different market segments is being influenced by the consumer’s search for “authentic experiences”. TOURISM This shift has, in many ways, benefited the African continent, mainly because of its diverse cultural and geographical nature. Tourist arrivals in the African continent increased from 46 million in 2009 to 49.8 million in 2010. The highest growth was experienced in the Sub-Saharan region, which registered 14% growth during the same period. Total tourist arrivals in the SADC region grew from 20.5 million in 2009 to 21.5 million in 2010 (RETOSA, 2011 Annual Report). The SADC region has deployed a number of strategies in response to these requirements so as to ensure that it retains and sustains this contemporary market. One of the strategies is the development of Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) to ensure the ease of movement of tourists across the SADC region, wilderness protection, employment creation and income generation in rural areas, which translates into an improved quality of life for the citizens of this region. The RIDMP indicates that the number of tourists coming to the SADC region could triple by 2027, hence there is an urgent need to have physical infrastructure in the TFCAs to capture and increase the market share. The Tourism Chapter identified an Infrastructure Development Action Plan, comprising five priority projects, among others, for implementation within the regional Trans-frontier Conservation Areas. The estimated costs for these projects is US$1.1 billion. Executive Summary 7