Assessment of residents’ attitude towards ecotourism in KwaZulu-Natal protected areas

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to assess the attitude of residents towards ecotourism in KwaZulu-Natal protected areas. It also determined how barriers to ecotourism trips could negatively affect the success of tourism development in protected areas. The new South Africa today has widely and innovatively embraced ecotourism based largely around the protected areas. Residents’ attitude towards tourism is one of the important indicators for sustainable development in protected areas. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 212 copies of structured questionnaires were used to collect information for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the target population of the protected areas while respondents were selected from the communities based on random sampling technique. Mean scores for barriers to ecotourism trips were determined. Descriptive statistics and T-test inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings – The results agree with the theory of planned behaviour where intentions of residents to participate in ecotourism were directly influenced by barriers such as no time, low income and no transportation. It was also found out that preference for ecotourism trips was significantly influenced by the various barriers to ecotourism activities. High level of unemployment and high level of illiteracy were considered to be responsible for poor attitude in Kwadlangezwa with many (43.4 per cent) unwilling to support ecotourism development projects. Research limitations/implications – The research implication infers that high level of poverty and illiteracy in communities surrounding protected areas could seriously indicate non-support for development projects. Practical implications – Ecotourism-related businesses need be developed in destinations to alleviate poverty. Social implications – The moral of residents need be boosted through workshops and educative seminars. Originality/value – The study was conducted during the author’s research fellowship with the Department of Recreation and Tourism, University of Zululand, Kwadlangezwa, South Africa.

A Vulnerability Analysis of Coral Reefs in Coastal Ecotourism Areas for Conservation Management

“…In order to increase visitor satisfaction, ecotourism management must improve the standard of tourist attributes in terms of aspects such as accessibility, attractions, and activities for visitors as well as maintenance of the surrounding environment which protects the ecosystem. According to Adeleke [44], female residents participate more in the Kwazulu-Natal protected area than males. Hence recruiting female workers may give more benefits.…”

Ecotourism constraints: What prevents domestic tourists in Serbia from visiting eco-destinations?

“…Leung, Spenceley, Hvenegaard, and Buckley (2015) and Perez-Verdin, Lee, and Chavez (2004) have addressed a similar problem and singled out a scale with factors that influence tourists' decision not to visit protected natural areas. In addition, Adeleke (2015) referred to the barriers to ecotourism trip, but from the perspective of residents of a particular region. However, there is still no research in which the authors have focused on the general domestic ecotourism market and more complex constraints.…”

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