Maximising the local development potential of Nature Tourism accommodation establishments in South Africa

Within extant scholarship on tourism and local development one knowledge gap concerns the role of the accommodation sector as a base for tourism-led local development in rural areas and small towns. The focus is upon nature tourism accommodation establishments which cluster mainly in geographically marginal areas in South Africa where poverty levels are high and the imperative exists for new drivers of economic and social development. A national audit of nature tourism accommodation establishments confirms their potential critical relevance for local development planning in many parts of the country. Nevertheless, existing evidence points to limitations in local linkages through the food supply chain. A critical review is given of several constraints which impact upon tourism-agriculture linkages with policy conclusions for strengthening such linkages