Factors that influence support for community-based ecotourism in the rural communities adjacent to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBE) has become an important livelihood option for rural communities in Botswana. The growth of CBE has been facilitated via community-based natural resources management initiatives that have yielded positive and tangible benefits to some regions more than others. The south-western region of the country lacks the level of tourism development of other areas, but has the opportunity to capitalise via CBE based on Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park area. Given the paucity of information and research on CBEs in the region, there is a dire need for additional baseline data. This study empirically explored knowledge, concern, perceptions of and support for CBE among residents living adjacent to the Transfrontier Park. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire among 746 households in 9 villages. Results highlight the diverse array of factors that were likely to influence residents' perception and support of CBE development in the area. In addition to descriptive analysis, two models were tested via hierarchical regression to examine the factors that influence residents' support for CBE development. Overall, four independent variables were important predictors of residents' CBE support with environmental being the most important factor followed by economic, socio-cultural, and knowledge of ecotourism. This study contributes to the emerging literature in the region, as well as assists policy-makers, planners, and other stakeholders with respect to what should be considered when assessing the communities for CBE development.

Keywords:

• ecotourism
• CBNRM
• residents
• community
• Transfrontier Park
• Kgalagadi
• Botswana

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor William Darley for valuable assistance with respect to the data analysis. Also, much appreciation is extended to the respondents from various communities who spent the time to respond to the survey as well as discuss myriad issues about the KTP with the primary author. The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their encouraging responses and observations that helped us to improve this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. A joint venture requires a community and a private company to work together, sharing the risks and responsibility of a joint enterprise. It generally offers a community more decision-making power and training (van der Jagt & Rozemeijer, 2002, p. 39).

2. The KTP is the first transboundary protected area to be created in southern Africa with dual ownership between Botswana and South Africa.

3. Relatively large area that straddles frontiers (boundaries) between two or more countries and covers a large-scale natural system encompassing one or more protected areas (World Bank, 1996, p. 10).

4. For the regression analysis, only age, education, and years at residence were used.

5. Due to space restrictions, the frequencies are only illustrated in the tables and not described in a text format.

6. Pula is Botswana currency (BWP): Botswana Pula (US $1.00–BWP 7.00).

7. There are several CBNRM-related CBO/Trust in the local area.