Leisure Tourism and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between leisure tourism and sustainable livelihoods from a visitors’ perspective. Quantitative research methods were employed in collecting data from (n) 369 respondents within the precincts of a number of waterfronts in the Eastern Cape Province. Using exploratory factor analysis and analysis of variance the study finds a generally positive perception of leisure tourism impacts on sustainable livelihoods. The main implication of this study is that there is an increasing awareness among people that the benefits of leisure tourism come at a cost. This study contributes to existing literature highlighting the imperative to narrow the gap between leisure tourism and sustainable livelihoods from the unique perspective of the Eastern Cape Province.

Keywords

• leisure tourism
• sustainability
• livelihoods
• eastern cape