Can mountain route tourism work for the poor? Exploring worldviews from Maluti Route in the Drakensberg Region of South Africa

Poverty reduction is necessary for the attainment of sustainable tourism development. Ironically, in many mountain regions, tourism destinations are concomitant with extreme poverty. Route tourism is regarded as one of the few poverty reduction options available to mountain communities. This study used the worldviews theory to compare the perceptions of the three distinct groups, namely local communities, tourism business operators and local government officials, regarding the contribution of route tourism to poverty reduction along the Maluti Route, in the Drakensberg Mountain Region of South Africa. A survey was carried out among 80 tourism business operators and 250 community members, and complimented with in-depth interviews held with local government officials and observations that were made in tourism business organisations. The results indicate diametrically opposed viewpoints between tourism business operators and local communities. While business organisations believe that they are significantly contributing to poverty reduction in the region, local communities acknowledge only a limited number of benefits from tourism. The study concludes that tourism can work for the poor if they are adequately equipped with skills to contribute in tourism investment and if the tourism cake is deliberately ‘tilted’ towards them. We conclude by highlighting the need for communication among stakeholders about current efforts and options available to reduce poverty through tourism, including the training of locals in tourism related skills, as well as improving linkages among industry, government and tourism industry as a measure for enhancing the role of tourism in poverty reduction.

Download Full-text

An Exploratory Assessment of Significant Tourism Sustainability Indicators for a Montane-Based Route in the Drakensberg Mountains

10.20944/preprints201706.0070.v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sarudzai Mutana ◽

Geoffrey Mukwada

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Local Government ◽

Local Community ◽

Sustainable Tourism ◽

Local Communities ◽

Sustainability Indicators ◽

Government Officials ◽

Community Members ◽

Free State Province ◽

Local Government Officials

This paper assesses the use the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) indicators for monitoring tourism along a mountainous route. The study was carried out along a mountain route in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. A survey was carried out among tourism businesses, local communities and local government officials located along the Maluti Route, which passes though the eastern part of the Free State Province of South Africa. This study constitutes the first assessment in which the GSTC indicators are applied in the assessment of the sustainability of route tourism in South Africa. The study first evaluated the importance of each indicator by considering the level of application in tourism business organisations before examining the perceptions of local community members and local government officials regarding the applicability of the indicators in the assessment of tourism sustainability. The results suggest that there is a general appreciation of tourism sustainability among tourism business operators although shortcomings were evident on environmental and socio-economic indicators. In conclusion, the paper suggests ways through which tourism sustainability could be enhanced among different players along the Maluti Route.

Download Full-text

Using participatory action research to improve immunization utilization in areas with pockets of unimmunized children in Nigeria

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-021-00719-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (S2) ◽

Author(s):

Ngozi N. Akwataghibe ◽

Elijah A. Ogunsola ◽

Oluwafemi A. Popoola ◽

Adanna I. Agbo ◽

Marjolein A. Dieleman

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Local Government ◽

Participatory Action Research ◽

Health Workers ◽

Routine Immunization ◽

Participatory Action ◽

Government Officials ◽

Community Members ◽

Immunization Services ◽

Local Government Officials

Abstract Background In 2005, Nigeria adopted the Reaching Every Ward strategy to improve vaccination coverage for children 0–23 months of age. By 2015, Ogun state had full coverage (100%) in 12 of its 20 local government areas, but eight had pockets of unimmunized children, with the highest burden (37%) in Remo North. A participatory action research (PAR) approach was used to facilitate implementation of local solutions to contextual barriers to immunization in Remo North. This article assesses and seeks to explain the outcomes of the PAR implemented in Remo North to understand whether and possibly how it improved immunization utilization. Methods The PAR intervention took place from 2016 to 2017. It involved two (4-month) cycles of dialogue and action between community members, frontline health workers and local government officials in two wards of Remo North, facilitated by the research team. The PAR was assessed using a pre/post-intervention-only design with mixed methods. These included household surveys of caregivers of 215 and 213 children, respectively, 25 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in immunization service delivery and 16 focus group discussions with community members. Data were analysed using the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) vaccine hesitancy framework. Results Collaboration among the three stakeholder groups enabled the development and implementation of solutions to identified problems related to access to and use of immunization services. At endline, assessment by card for children older than 9 months revealed a significant increase in those fully immunized, from 60.7% at baseline to 90.9% (p < .05). A significantly greater number of caregivers visited fixed government health facilities for routine immunization at endline (83.2%) than at baseline (54.2%) (p < .05). The reasons reported by caregivers for improved utilization of routine immunization services were increased community mobilization activities and improved responsiveness of the health workers. Spillover effects into maternal health services enhanced the use of immunization services by caregivers. Spontaneous scale-up of actions occurred across Remo North due to the involvement of local government officials. Conclusion The PAR approach achieved contextual solutions to problems identified by communities. Collection and integration of evidence into discussions/dialogues with stakeholders can lead to change. Leveraging existing structures and resources enhanced effectiveness.

Download Full-text