Universal Accessibility of National Parks in South Africa and Zimbabwe: Park Management Perceptions

Chikuta, Oliver; Plessis, Engelina du; Saayman, Melville

doi:10.1080/21568316.2021.1910556

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It provides a significant addition to post-COVID-19 recovery, resilience, and protected areas literature currently by more stable African destinations like South Africa (Van der Merwe et al, 2021). Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on private game parks and its multiplier effect on employees' livelihoods is critical for park managers, given that wildlife tourism is an important part of Zimbabwean tourism (Chikuta et al, 2021;Woyo, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing studies focused on sustainability, the vulnerability of protected areas, and opportunities for park management (Smith et al, 2021), marine tourism resilience (King et al, 2021) and conservation of African wildlife (Lindsey et al, 2020). It is imperative to research organizational resilience to lifethreatening events like COVID-19 for game parks in distressed destinations as they constitute a significant part of Zimbabwean tourism (Chikuta et al, 2021). Globally, parks enhances society's well-being, including employees (Nunkoo & Ramkissoon, 2016;Ramkissoon et al, 2020).…”

Section: Tourism Crises and Resilience Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The economic contribution of protected areas is greater in developed countries due to funding availability (Chidakel et al, 2021). However, in Southern Africa, it is one of the main economic drivers of economic development (Chikuta et al, 2021;Musavengane & Simatele, 2016;Van der Merwe et al, 2021). Parks provides economic and social benefits, including income for the less educated (Chidakel et al, 2021;Ramkissoon, 2020;Shereni & Saarinen, 2020;Van der Merwe et al, 2021).…”

Section: Costs Of Covid-19 On Game Parks and Livelihoods Of Tourism E...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…COVI-19 negatively impacted the game park. This is a tremendous blow for Zimbabwean tourismwhich relies on wildlife as its key tourist attraction for the international market and provides thousands of jobs to locals (Chikuta et al, 2021). Pre-COVID-19, Zimbabwean tourism positively contributed to GDP despite the political-induced economic challenges (Woyo, 2021).…”

Section: Loss Of Primary Source Of Incomementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper examines the extent to which COVID-19 impacted the livelihoods of game park employees in a destination with ongoing political and economic challenges. Data were collected through interviewing employees revealed employee resilience levels and strategies to save their livelihoods during a crisis. It showcased the weaknesses of organizational social capital nodes in assisting employees during their vulnerable moments. It was found that employees on short-term contracts were the most affected, as they were the first to be laid off. The paper suggests up-skilling game park employees and develops empowerment interventions that help them generate second streams of income. This coping strategy is rarely discussed in the literature of tourism crisis and disaster management.a member of the IUCN's (International Union for Conservation of Nature's) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPAS Group). He is a member of the South Africa Geography Society and a member of the Zimbabwe Climate Change Coalition (ZCCC).

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tourism Crises and Resilience Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Costs Of Covid-19 On Game Parks and Livelihoods Of Tourism E...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Loss Of Primary Source Of Incomementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the other side of the Atlantic, according to the data provided from Europarc-Spain’s statistics on 2017, one million 72 visitors visited Spanish NPs ( Farías-Torbidoni et al, 2020 ). Considering the growing importance and the complexity of tourism in those areas, national policies must ensure nature-based tourism that is equitable for all people taking into consideration its conservation for future generations through good governance ( Chikuta et al, 2021 ; Aguilar-Carrasco et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Nature-based Recreation Constraints In National Parksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of barriers for people with disability to enjoy national parks

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is increasing awareness of the importance of nature-based recreation to human wellbeing. Given its significant benefits, natural-protected area management has not always provided equitable access to all potential users. Limited research till now has been focused on how the outdoor barriers impact the equal enjoyment of people with mobility/motor disabilities (PwMDs) of nature when promoting sustainable nature-based tourism. This study intends to shed light on those aspects which constrain the PwMD’s enjoyment of the great outdoors at national parks (NPs). The study was carried out in Canada and Spain through an online survey on amenities needed and accessibility barriers for PwMDs in parks. It was analyzed through log-linear models for cross-frequency tables, which allow us to estimate the associations between questions/variables and, thus, ultimately, obtain insights into how the needs of amenities and accessibility barriers can affect and limit PwMDs’ enjoyment of natural parks. The results show a predisposition on the part of participants to enjoy parks more frequently than they usually do, as well as a preference for forests and mountain landscapes. Information and communication technologies are the tools most chosen to prepare for their trip and visit to the park. PwMD finds barriers in NPs as impediments to benefit from nature-based recreation and adding to their wellbeing. NP managers should take into consideration that PwMD’s visits to parks are related to the main obstacles they perceive such as slopes and pavement and that they require amenities such as recreation and signposting. They would also like to enjoy parks more often, with footpaths suitable for walkability/wheelability, e.g., compact pavement, low inclines, and adequate signposting. In addition to the physical barriers, managers should also consider intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints to provide outdoor activities in parks focused on PwMDs’ needs.

show abstract

Situating Gender and Disability in Tourism Scholarship in Africa: An Introduction to Intersectional Perspectives

Woyo

Venganai²

2022

Gender, Disability, and Tourism in Africa

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Universal Accessibility of National Parks in South Africa and Zimbabwe: Park Management Perceptions

Cited by 7 publications

References 19 publications

COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination

COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination

Assessment of barriers for people with disability to enjoy national parks

Situating Gender and Disability in Tourism Scholarship in Africa: An Introduction to Intersectional Perspectives

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About