Eco-tourism, conservancies and sustainable development : the case of Zimbabwe.
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamla-Raj Enterprises.
Abstract
The paper presents a definition of eco-tourism that puts an emphasis on conservation through
utilisation, instead of an emphasis on preservation only. Eco-tourism in this paper is seen as incorporating both
consumptive and non-consumption aspects. It is a definition that stresses community participation in decision
making processes in relation to eco-touristic ventures and subsequent benefits derived from such ventures flowing
back to local communities. The paper examines the triple role of eco-tourism in the protection, utilisation and
conservation of natural and cultural resources. Tourism is by far a sector that continues to play a positive socioeconomic role in the midst of a declining economic base in the Zimbabwe of the post 2000 period. The paper views conservancies as tenurial units and goes further to examine the link between conservancies and eco-touristic
ventures. The issue of sustainable eco-tourism developments in the form of conservancies is debated in the paper
in the light of the socio-economic challenges Zimbabwe is going through. It is strongly argued that to avoid another
case of entrenched failed development, conservancies need to be seen in a holistic manner that takes into account
the role of all stakeholders or actors including the role of local communities.
Description
Keywords
Ecotourism--Community participation--Zimbabwe., Ecotourism--Environmental aspects--Zimbabwe., Tourism--Economic aspects--Zimbabwe., Tourism--Social aspects--Zimbabwe., Sustainable development--Zimbabwe., Conservation of natural resources--Zimbabwe.
Citation
Muzvidziwa, V.N. 2013. Eco-tourism, conservancies and sustainable development : the case of Zimbabwe. J Hum Ecol. 43 (1) pp. 41-50.