Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The protocol and the results
To provide a comprehensive and valid assessment of the impacts of tourism on
livelihoods, data were gathered through a structured and integrated assessment
protocol that included participatory methods, secondary/archival data collection,
semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires used in a household
survey (see Simpson, 2008b for a detailed discussion of the integrated methodol-
ogy). Data collection and research was carried out in the field at the study sites, in
the administrative centres of South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal and through the
analysis of secondary data in 2004 and 2005. An initial livelihood analysis of the
existing socioeconomic conditions was carried out through the collection of
baseline data.
Whilst there are no specific methods or tools prescribed for carrying out
livelihood analysis (Ashley and Carney, 1999; Simpson, 2008b), participation is
one of the underlying principles of sustainable livelihoods (SL) approaches and
this stage of the methodology broadly followed similar lines to those described by
Ashley (2002). However, these studies conducted in Maputaland were consider-
ably strengthened by more detailed and clearly sequenced techniques such as
participatory mapping, 'H' diagrams and ranking exercises (SEI, 1998; Ashley
and Hussein, 2000; Guy and Inglis, 1999; Mayoux, 2001; Simpson, 2008b). The
methodology used in these studies also extended and enhanced SL approaches
and earlier tourism impact assessments through the use of a household level
survey (analysed using SPSS v14.0) and the semi-structured interviewing of a
purposeful sub-set sample (De Vaus, 2001) which, when integrated with the liveli-
hoods analysis, provided a robust assessment and monitoring tool. As part of this
integrated approach, participatory techniques were used in the initial stages and
continued throughout the life of the fieldwork. Throughout the assessment
process participatory techniques also provided a mechanism for ensuring the
representation of less vocal groups or individuals within the community. To
provide structure and the ability to replicate the approach in different spatial and
temporal scales the integrated assessment protocol was divided into a seven stage
process (Simpson, 2008b) (Figure 11.1).
The protocol was implemented in two case studies in South Africa. Rocktail
Bay Lodge and Ndumo Wilderness Camp are located in Maputaland, north-
eastern KwaZulu-Natal (see Figure 11.2). These study sites were chosen due to
their geographic position on the continent of Africa, the poorest in the world.
These two initiatives, with their ground-breaking ownership structure and
complex stakeholder relationships also provided interesting and unique case
studies in different locations with which to better examine the processes, impacts
and interactions occurring at the tourism-poverty livelihoods nexus.
Both enterprises are nature-based tourism lodge initiatives operated by
Wilderness Safaris (WS), a safari specialist that operates camps and safaris
mainly in Southern Africa. WS is over 24 years old and has an ethos focused on
environmental protection and community development. In Maputaland, WS are
engaged in community-private-public partnerships (CPPP). Local residents and
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