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- Title
COMPREHENSIVE PARTICIPATION: A THEORETICALLY HAILED YET PRACTICALLY DISREGARDED APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM.
- Authors
MAKHANYELA, Derrick Sibusiso; NKOSI, Gugulethu Sebenzile; TSHABALALA, Sibongile Princess; GUMEDE, Thembinkosi Keith
- Abstract
The commitment and attitudes of all stakeholders, as well as giving recognition to their value as partners in the ecotourism domain, are crucial elements in ensuring sustainable ecotourism development. The social capacity theory (SCT) posits that implementing networks of relationships is a fundamental basis for successful and sustainable tourism development. However, research has shown that the planning and management of numerous ecotourism development programs are marred by a top-down approach. This study examined the level of stakeholder participation in ecotourism activities in the Umfolozi Municipality to determine if any gaps exist in the participation structure of this key economic enterprise. A concurrent exploratory mixed methods design was operated using qualitative and quantitative survey. Qualitative data that were collected from purposefully sampled participants were thematically analysed, while quantitative data that were collected from conveniently sampled respondents were analysed using SPSS software. The findings highlight the centralisation of power and a fragmented ecotourism landscape in the study area that is plagued by manipulative participation, lack of collaboration, lac k of co-ordination, lack of awareness, and apathy among key stakeholders.
- Subjects
KWAZULU-Natal (South Africa); ECOTOURISM; SUSTAINABLE tourism; FRAGMENTED landscapes; SUSTAINABLE development; PARTICIPATION; HAIL; SUSTAINABLE architecture
- Publication
GeoJournal of Tourism & Geosites, 2024, Vol 52, Issue 1, p276
- ISSN
2065-0817
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.30892/gtg.52127-1204