Optimising the Economic Weight of Thermal Springs for Rural Tourism Development in Zambia

Abstract

Zambia is rich in natural, environmental, cultural and heritage resources which could be developed into sustainable tourism sites. However, these resources, for example thermal springs, have not been fully optimised as such, local communities that host them have not benefited both socially and economically. This study aimed to explore how the Chinyunyu thermal springs could be optimally used as an economic input to contribute to the cause of rural tourism development and fight poverty and unemployment in the local economy. The research followed an inductive qualitative research methodology and employed a thematic analysis of data with a sample size of thirty participants purposively collected from local community members. The study found that the Chinyunyu thermal springs were undeveloped and underutilised for economic benefit of the local community. This failure to optimise the economic weight of these thermal springs has undermined the development imperatives of the Chinyunyu Village and the district at large. The local community members’ perception is that the thermal springs could be developed into a community-based tourism resort by commercialising the thermal springs. The Zambian authorities should explore means and ways of developing and commercialising tourism activities at the Chinyunyu thermal springs

Keywords

• chinyunyu village
• chinyunyu thermal springs
• commercialisation
• tourism
• rural development
• zambia