Tourism in Gabon
Tourism in Gabon is underdeveloped.[1] Despite this, attractions include beaches, ocean and inland fishing facilities, the falls on the Ogooué River, and the Crystal Mountains.[1] Tourists also come to see the famous hospital founded by Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Lambaréné.[1] Hunting is legal in specific areas from December to September.[1]
History
Until recently, tourism has been neglected, replaced by the export of raw materials such as oil and wood.
On September 4, 2002, Gabonese president Omar Bongo announced that his country would set aside 10 percent of its land for a national park system.[3] Previously, it had no organization of national parks, working with The Wildlife Conservation Society on conservation issues.[3] Currently, the system comprises over 10,000 square miles (26,000 km2), surpassed only by Costa Rica in the percentage on land area, though in the latter's case the area of conservation is much smaller.[3] These new parks are being developed for ecotourism, as an economic alternative to exploiting Gabon’s forests for lumber.[3] The project was applauded by Dr. Steven Sanderson, president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, as "one of the most courageous conservation acts in the last 20 years."[3]
Attractions
National parks
Gabon's 13 national parks range from regions along its coastline, where hippopotamuses play on untouched beaches, to forest clearings home to "naive" gorillas. [3]
Statistics
In 2000, there were about 2,450 hotel rooms.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gabon: Tourism, travel, and recreation". Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ^ a b c d e "Gabon turns from oil to dream tourism". AFP. 2000-07-31. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ^ a b c d e f "AFRICAN NATION OF GABON ESTABLISHES NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM". Gabon National Parks. 2002-09-04. Retrieved 2008-08-19.