Sustainable indicators for adventure tourism destinations: A case of Waterval Boven

Community perceptions on tourism development in South Africa: The case of developing a tourism route in the City of Mbombela Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

“…This study uses perceptions to assess the feelings of the community in the former Umjindi Local Municipality that was situated in and around the area where the tourist route is proposed. There are many perception studies on consumers of tourism products (Ezeuduji et al, 2017;Kgote and Kotze, 2013;Tshipala et al, 2014). However, even though the involvement of communities in developing tourism products is advocated for (Ezeuduji et al, 2017;Tshipala et al, 2014), there are few perception studies of communities within which tourist products are developed to assess their perceptions of communities before the tourism products are developed; yet, this could assist the planning and development of tourism products.…”

“…For adventure tourism, South Africa offers horseback safaris, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, surfing, diving and river rafting. South Africa is a highly developed adventure tourism destination in Africa, which has a huge scope for further development (Tshipala et al, 2014).…”

“…Given the observations by Tshipala et al (2014), in this study, we offer an understanding of the views of residents regarding a proposed tourist route. The objective of the study was to determine the community's perceived benefits of developing the tourist route in the former Umjindi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.…”

“…However, it is important to note that Tshipala et al (2014:41) observe that in developing tourism, it is important '…to understand the views of residents, business owners, tourists, and government employees on ….. tourism'. Based on observations by Tshipala et al (2014) the success of tourism in the future depends on effective decisionmaking by all stakeholders involved in the tourism industry spanning from consumers to planners of tourist products. Tshipala et al (2014) also point out that since it is communities that must live with the resultant outcome of tourism development, communities must be consulted and involved in the development of tourism products.…”

“…Based on observations by Tshipala et al (2014) the success of tourism in the future depends on effective decision-making by all stakeholders involved in the tourism industry spanning from consumers to planners of tourist products. Tshipala et al (2014) also point out that since it is communities that must live with the resultant outcome of tourism development, communities must be consulted and involved in the development of tourism products. They also point out that in some instances, it is possible and desirable to package the community as a part of the tourism product.…”