Geographical information systems in sustainable rural tourism and local community empowerment: A natural resources management appraisal for Musina Municipality’ Society

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this examination is to prospect the underlying capacity of diverse geographic information systems in sustainable rural tourism and local community empowerment in South Africa and, extensively, Africa. Hence, corresponds with diverse rural areas elsewhere globally, utilizing the case of Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The case study appropriates narrative literature review (with existing documents reviews), interviews, and focuses group discussion in studying African and comprehensive agricultural, environmental, and tourism reservoirs management situations. It links community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and geographic information systems to sustainable tourism implications in Musina Municipality. Numerous agricultural communities in Southern Africa and Africa comprehensively reside in low-income districts; Musina Municipality is no different. Such localities are plentiful in natural biodiversity and tourism host provinces. Geographic information systems, sustainable tourism, agriculture (AG), and community-based natural resource management can generate a medley of local community development schemes within such environs.

KEYWORDS:

• agritourism
• agriculture
• agronomy
• community-based natural resource management
• geographic information systems
• community empowerment
• local community development
• rural tourism
• environmental management
• sustainable tourism and sustainability

Acknowledgments

I thoroughly recognize the editors and anonymous reviewers for their auspices and direction on the manuscript. The first GIS, ecotourism, and agroforestry training accumulated from the University of Pretoria burgeoned this particular inquiry and is justly acknowledged. Therefore, UNIVEN's DSU unit, conservation biology, and rural development credentials came in handy. SANSA Earth Observation is worth acknowledgment for funding this study. Hence, also the participants from tourism entities and the local villages.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Azwindini Isaac Ramaano

Azwindini Isaac Ramaano is an academic with the University of Venda and has qualifications in Bachelor of Environmental Sciences (BEnvSc), Conservation Biology Honours (BScHbo), and masters of environmental sciences (MEnvSc). He also did his course in Environment and Society combined with Environment Analysis and Social Modeling & Assessment, GIS, Ecotourism Management, Environmental Change, Environmental Law, Environment & Land reform, Environment & Development modules at the University of Pretoria. He has scholarly expertise in human–-environment interaction research topics associated with Tourism Geography (Ecotourism), Biogeography, Conservation Biology, Ethno Biology, Physical-Bio resources & Development, and Rural Development Geography. His contributions are within publications such as Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, including International Hospitality Review.