Purpose: To promote diverse forms of tourism which generate income to support Conservancy operating costs and improve livelihoods of Communities; or to regulate tourism numbers and establish guidelines to ensure the Conservancy offers a high-quality and sustainable tourism product, minimizing social and environmental impacts.

For many Land-owners, tourism is the motivation for forming Conservancies as a means of benefiting from the wildlife on their land. Currently tourism is the main way in which vital revenue for the long-term financial sustainability of the Conservancy is generated. Tourism revenue is used to support the operating costs of Conservancies, and in many Conservancies it is also used to support Community development projects.

Many different models for tourism partnerships exist and each has its own advantages; tourism may be managed by the Land-owner/Conservancy or by a tourism partner. Tourism facilities can be owned by the Land-owner/Conservancy and leased by a tourism operator, or owned by the tourism investor. There are many spin-off benefits from tourism including employment, revenue to the Community from sale of crafts and locally grown produce, and support from visitors to Community projects.

Structuring long-term agreements with tourism partners requires a balance between maximizing the gains to the Conservancy or Community while accommodating the needs of the tourism investor.