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Socio-economic Impacts of Community-Based Ecotourism on Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Khawa Village in the Kalahari Region, Botswana

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Book cover Southern African Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism Management

Part of the book series: Geographies of Tourism and Global Change ((GTGC))

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Abstract

Community-based tourism has become an increasingly important activity for local development in southern Africa. This chapter uses a case study approach to explore the socio-economic impacts of community-based ecotourism on a remote community in the Kalahari region of western Botswana. The study was conducted in Khawa, a remote village which is located within a wildlife management area (WMA) designated mainly for wildlife conservation purposes. Data were collected using a semi-structured household survey and a telephone survey. Additionally, a participatory observation method for information/data collection was utilised. The main results indicate the following benefits: increased awareness of tourism as a business and a leisure pursuit, reduced illegal hunting activities, improved visibility of Khawa village as a tourist destination, seasonal job opportunities, monetary benefits to the Community Trust, individual cash income, game meat and infrastructure developments for tourism and the community. However, there were also negative impacts from tourism, such as noise pollution and disruption of the village peace and tranquillity, especially during the annual Khawa Dune Challenge and Cultural Festival. Thus, more sustainable tourism development oriented activities and projects which are beneficial and inclusive of the local people of Khawa are recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

    Naomi N. Moswete

  2. Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Jarkko Saarinen

  3. School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Jarkko Saarinen

  4. School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Brijesh Thapa

Authors
  1. Naomi N. Moswete
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  2. Jarkko Saarinen
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  3. Brijesh Thapa
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Correspondence to Naomi N. Moswete .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Jarkko Saarinen

  2. Department Historical and Heritage Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Berendien Lubbe

  3. Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

    Naomi N. Moswete

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Moswete, N.N., Saarinen, J., Thapa, B. (2022). Socio-economic Impacts of Community-Based Ecotourism on Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Khawa Village in the Kalahari Region, Botswana. In: Saarinen, J., Lubbe, B., Moswete, N.N. (eds) Southern African Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism Management. Geographies of Tourism and Global Change. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99435-8_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99435-8_8

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