- Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has high quality agricultural products like cocoa, coffee, and pepper that have benefited from sustainable certification and quality schemes. - The document proposes using public-private partnerships to link sustainable agriculture to tourism by developing agro-tourism packages that promote local farms and products. - A methodology is described that establishes a Sustainable Tourism Platform through participatory training, pilot packages, and partnerships between local organizations, communities, and private operators.

1. Michele Maccari
Sustainable Value Chain expert
Free lance consultant
michelemaccari@yahoo.it
Private Public Partnerships for
sustainable agro-tourism in
Sao Tomé and Principe

2. • STP is a small Country renowned for its high quality agricultural products: cocoa,
pepper, coffee
• Several international funded projects invested on the concepts of sustainability
and “quality vs. quantity”
• Sustainable certifications (organic agriculture, fair trade) and quality schemes
(Geographical Indications) are familiar to STP stakeholder
• The challenge is how to take advantage of sustainable agriculture practices and
build on them to foster the linkages with sustainable tourism
Sustainable agriculture and
sustainable tourism

3. • Participatory approach: from cooperatives to Government; collaboration with
local University, local NGO; etc
• Capacity building: training courses and support to the establishment of the
Sustainable Tourism Platform
• South-South cooperation: exchange with similar experiences (trip to Ecuador)
• Promotion and communication: launching events and participation to
international exhibitions (EXPO2015)
• Taking stock of PPP (Public Private Partnership) experience in the agricultural
value chains
Methodology and approach

4. • Long-term viability: PPPs implemented prove to be a viable instrument for long-
term undertakings such as the development of agricultural value-chains
• Effectiveness in sharing and mitigating risks: (i) market access, (ii) non-compliance
with produce quality and standards, (iii) size and consistency of supplies, and (iv)
access to technology;
• Combine different contributions aiming at a common goal: resources, know-how,
specialised technical assistance, market access knowledge
• Compliance with sustainable/ethical schemes: (i) sustainable
production/processing/trade practices; (ii) fair trade conditions; (iii) premiums for
communities’ development; (iv) fairer distribution of wealth generated.
PPP

5. • Support to the establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Platform of Sao tome
and Principe (Plataforma de Turismo Sustentavel de Sao Tome e Principe)
• Technical support: statute, roles and objectives
• Membership: around 40 diverse stakeholders
• Support to South-South exchanges: tour in Ecuador
Creating a Sustainable tourism
Platform

6. • Training course for eco-guides
• District of Lemba, Obo National Park
• Training course for 25 eco-guides (July 2015)
Capacity building

7. • Development of touristic pilot packages – Rota de Cacau
• Collaboration with local NGOs, University and associations of guides
• Findings: difficulties in defining the package’s cost
• Obo National Park: valorization
Pilot packages
CECAB;
40%
Gestor; 20%
PTRS;
20%
Fundo
Comunitário:
; 20%

8. • Participatory approach: cooperatives to Government; collaboration with local
University, local NGO
• First attempt to develop a package, strictly linked to the agricultural products
• Partnerships with local operators
• Promotion strategies
• Next steps: development of
Rota do Cafè and Rota da Pimenta
Rota do Cacau

9. • Participatory approach and local ownership: need for transparency
• Local counterparts strengthened and reliable: importance of empowerment and
technical assistance
• PPP with operators: crucial to engage with private sector specialists; guidance in
the promotion and commercialization strategies
Key aspects

10. • Governmental and Institutional support is key for future development
• Development of National strategies and specific packages on-going
• Engagement with interested International donors and institutions
• Promotion: STP at the WTM London exhibition 2017
• Empowerment of the Sustainable Tourism Platform
• Geographical Indications (GIs): a tool for sustainable tourism promotion
• PPP: key issue for the next steps
STP: the way forward