COMPREHENSIVE PARTICIPATION: A THEORETICALLY HAILED YET PRACTICALLY DISREGARDED APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM

Q1 Social Sciences

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites Pub Date : 2024-03-29 DOI:10.30892/gtg.52127-1204

Derrick Sibusiso Makhanyela, Gugulethu Sebenzile Nkosi, S. Tshabalala, T. Gumede

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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.

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全面参与：可持续生态旅游的一种理论上受推崇但实际上被忽视的方法

所有利益相关者的承诺和态度，以及承认他们作为生态旅游领域合作伙伴的价值，是确保生态旅游可持续发展的关键因素。社会能力理论（SCT）认为，建立关系网络是旅游业成功和可持续发展的根本基础。然而，研究表明，许多生态旅游开发项目的规划和管理都采用了自上而下的方法。本研究考察了 Umfolozi 市生态旅游活动中利益相关者的参与程度，以确定这一重要经济企业的参与结构是否存在差距。研究采用了定性和定量调查并行的探索性混合方法设计。对从有目的抽样的参与者那里收集到的定性数据进行了主题分析，而对从方便抽样的受访者那里收集到的定量数据则使用 SPSS 软件进行了分析。研究结果凸显了研究区域的权力集中和生态旅游景观支离破碎的问题，主要利益相关者受到操纵性参与、缺乏合作、缺乏协调、缺乏意识和冷漠等问题的困扰。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

156

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites is a scientific publication, with an international status. The Journal is issued under the aegis of the University of Oradea, Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Territorial Studies and Analysis Centre (Romania) and the Academy of Physical Education and Sports from Gdańsk, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation (Poland). At the initiative of an international group of specialists, based on an editorial and scientific committee with a wide international coverage, including leading figures in the field, in 2008 was published the first English issue of the GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites. The printable format (2-3 issues per year) is supported by the on-line version. The journal aims to publish relevant contributions in tourism, geosites and other areas whose analysis is related to these fields, standing out through originality and scientific contribution to the knowledge and development of this area. An important objective is to promote academic and applied research based on interdisciplinarity with a complex local and global approach.