Sport Tourism: An Undeniable Asset for Sustainable and Local Development in Comoros

The Comoros is an archipelago of islands and volcanic islets, aligned over 225 km, along a southeast/northwest submarine plateau. The total area of the archipelago is 2236 km2. The exclusive economic zone is estimated at over 160,000 km2. It covers 900 km2 of continental shelf and 427 km of coastline. The climate is tropical and humid with an oceanic influence and two seasons. It is subject to three successive wind regimes: (a) the monsoon or kashkazi; (b) local southwesterly winds originating from the southern high pressures and channeled between Madagascar and Africa; (c) the austral trade wind or kusi. Due to its geographical location at the northern entrance to the Mozambique Channel, its climatic characteristics and the possibility of practicing a wide variety of tourism and sports activities throughout the year, Comoros has many natural and historical attractions and undeniable assets to reach the huge global tourism market through the development of sports tourism. Indeed, the country benefits from an important tourism potential due to its rich landscapes, its remarkable natural environments and its rich historical and cultural heritage. The environment of the Comoros Islands is characterized by a diversity of habitats, a great wealth of specific flora and fauna, and a high rate of endemism with elements of global importance such as the coelacanth and the Livingstone’s dogfish. More than 2000 species of terrestrial plants have been recorded. The fauna is very diverse and balanced with all zoological species present. The marine and coastal environment is also very rich, characterized by mangrove swamps, coral reefs, mangroves, coastal forests, and sea grass beds with a remarkable and diverse marine fauna. These coastal areas also contain the most beautiful landscapes such as the white sand atolls, the underwater peak of Vailleux Bank, but also ports and historic towns that bear witness to the many waves of migration or cultural landscapes shaped by several centuries. Sport tourism is a form of tourism that respects people and the environment and can contribute to improving the living conditions of local communities. It allows the sports tourist to enjoy an active holiday in a healthy and preserved natural environment. It gives them the opportunity to come into contact with the natural elements, to discover new places and to challenge themselves physically. It offers them the opportunity to combine pleasure and discovery by meeting communities and indulging in a variety of activities: hiking, climbing the Karthala volcano, diving, fishing, exploring the regions on foot, and tasting the good local dishes. The promotion of sport tourism will increase the economic income of the local population and help reduce current practices that affect the marine and terrestrial ecosystem through the active participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector, local communities, and government. The aim of this study is to identify and promote the place of nature sports activities in the tourism offer of Comoros and to see to what extent they could contribute to sustainable and local development, notably by strengthening the country’s economic activity and community development.