An economic evaluation of tourism : a case study of accommodation facilities in southern Maputaland.

Abstract

The dissertation presents an economic analysis of tourism in the Southern Maputaland Biosphere Reserve. The aim of the study was to gather relevant information on the benefits and costs associated with the existing tourism operations in the sub-region, and to determine the broader impact of tourism on the local economy. The study sampled twenty private tourism operations ranging from upmarket game lodges to bed and breakfast facilities. The results of the study present a comparison of indicators of the economic impact and efficiency of tourism, such as revenue generation, annual rates of return on investment, employment creation and wage levels, between various types of tourism operations as well as between tourism as a land use option and other land use options. They also highlight the economic importance of the protected areas to the local tourism industry. In addition, the nature and extent of interaction between the sampled tourism operations and the local communities, as well as possible constraints on the expansion of the tourism industry in the region are examined.