Rural Communities’ Perspectives on the Influence of Tourism on Poverty and Development

Abstract

Tourism is often promoted in Africa for its potential to inspire sustainable development and reduce poverty in rural areas, which host some of the most pristine natural attractions in the world. This research provides insights into the perceived influence of tourism on communities surrounding conservation areas and puts forward recommendations to improve tourism’s potential in poverty reduction and development in rural communities. The location of the study is the uKhahlamba Drakensburg Park (UDP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study uses a mixed-method approach where 326 questionnaires were administered to households of three communities around the UDP, and five interviews were held with the UDPs’ community liaison officers and traditional community leaders. The results show residents are indifferent towards tourism, have low participation in tourism, and threaten the sustainability of tourism. This study recommends reimagined approaches that centre around developing and implementing community-based tourism structures within the area that will stimulate equitable development.

Keywords

• poverty alleviation
• socio-economic impact
• sustainable tourism development
• ukhahlamba drakensberg park
• community development