This session seeks to include presentations on the broad topic of what is being referred to as critical tourism studies. The purpose of this session is to examine tourism studies through a cortical lens by incorporating theory from political ecology and political economy. Tourism is consistently and continuously propagated as a mode to economic development, livelihoods transformation, employment, upliftment and even environmental conservation. However, less frequently discussed are the implications of such development in a clear, theoretically grounded and critical manner. In addition, little mention is made of the implications of these initiatives failing and the severe consequences for both environment and community. This session seeks to examine these themes by highlighting some of the neocolonial constraints and questioning political rhetoric surrounding tourism development, particularly that which occurs in nature spaces.

TITLE: Challenges and Opportunities for Transformation in South African Nature-based Tourism

Abstract: Nature-based tourism has been at the heart of South African tourism for at least two centuries due to the unique landscapes and wildlife the country has to offer. However, nature-based tourism in South Africa has a long and tumultuous history, due to the oppressive colonial and apartheid regimes. Much of the apartheid nationalist rhetoric and propaganda evoked nature-based tourism imaginaries solidifying nature-spaces, particularly national parks, as white (primarily Afrikaans) recreational spaces. Until recently, this sentiment largely remained, despite the fall of apartheid and the rise of the post-apartheid (primarily Black) government in 1994. While a number of factors are at play in this scenario, the lack of engagement of Black South Africans in nature-spaces remains problematic and a clear legacy of apartheid. In fact, even scholars have previously insinuated that Black South Africans are not interested in nature-based tourism experiences. This perception is, however, overly simplistic and does not take into account the nuances of domestic leisure tourism in South Africa - particularly amongst previously disadvantaged groups. In the post-pandemic period, the drive of Black South Africans towards nature-based tourism has become increasingly apparent. However, a number of challenges for Black South African domestic tourists remain. This is particularly problematic as the future of both South African domestic tourism and South African conservation is dependent on stewardship from Black South Africans – particularly young Black South Africans. They are the custodians of these nature spaces and the future of conservation in South Africa.

Keywords: tourism geographies, transformation, domestic tourism, nature-based tourism, Black tourism

UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) stand out as landmarks of natural and cultural heritage for the achievement of sustainable development through social, economic, and environmental activities. Their prospects as enablers to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their importance in research and innovation have received the attention of institutions, political groups, communities, researchers, and governments of many countries such as South Africa. As such the number of WHS continues to increase year after year, with the current total of 1157 WHS in 167 state parties. These parties have developed activities to conserve and develop the WHS while contributing to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. The diversity of these landmarks indicates that each WHS is unique and has geological and cultural values different from the rest. This study describes the prospects that geotourism development at the Cradle of Humankind (CoH) WHS can have through a mixed-method design with the aim of inventory, evaluation, and prioritisation of geoheritage sites and highlighting their potential contribution to sustainable development, especially social sustainability. The social sustainability aspect of the study will highlight the conflicts, lack of beneficiation for local communities, and lack of participation in decision-making regarding geoheritage conservation and management. This study is part of a collaborative project involving various stakeholders including, CoH officials, government officials, representatives or leaders of local communities, residents, education institutions, conservation agencies, and tourists. The results of this study are expected to generate new scientific knowledge and contribute to the SDGs (1, 2, 4, 8, 15, and 17).

GEOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT AT THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND WORLD HERITAGE SITE: PROSPECTS FROM A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) stand out as landmarks of natural and cultural heritage for the achievement of sustainable development through social, economic, and environmental activities. Their prospects as enablers to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their importance in research and innovation have received the attention of institutions, political groups, communities, researchers, and governments of many countries such as South Africa. As such the number of WHS continues to increase year after year, with the current total of 1157 WHS in 167 state parties. These parties have developed activities to conserve and develop the WHS while contributing to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. The diversity of these landmarks indicates that each WHS is unique and has geological and cultural values different from the rest. This study describes the prospects that geotourism development at the Cradle of Humankind (CoH) WHS can have through a mixed-method design with the aim of inventory, evaluation, and prioritisation of geoheritage sites and highlighting their potential contribution to sustainable development, especially social sustainability. The social sustainability aspect of the study will highlight the conflicts, lack of beneficiation for local communities, and lack of participation in decision-making regarding geoheritage conservation and management. This study is part of a collaborative project involving various stakeholders including, CoH officials, government officials, representatives or leaders of local communities, residents, education institutions, conservation agencies, and tourists. The results of this study are expected to generate new scientific knowledge and contribute to the SDGs (1, 2, 4, 8, 15, and 17).

Keywords: Geotourism; Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site; Political Ecology

Individual Presentation Submission

UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) stand out as landmarks of natural and cultural heritage for solving political ecology issues such as lack of access to geoheritage resources and associated social, economic, and environmental benefits. Their prospects as enablers to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their importance in research and innovation have received the attention of institutions, political groups, communities, researchers, and governments of many countries such as South Africa. As such the number of WHS continues to increase year after year, with the current total of 1157 WHS in 167 state parties. These parties have developed activities to conserve and develop the WHS while contributing to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. The diversity of these landmarks indicates that each WHS is unique and has geological and cultural values different from the rest. This study describes the prospects that geotourism development at the Cradle of Humankind (CoH) WHS can have through a mixed-method design with the aim of inventory, evaluation, and prioritisation of geoheritage sites and highlighting their potential contribution to sustainable development, especially social sustainability. The social sustainability aspect of the study will highlight the conflicts, lack of beneficiation for local communities, and lack of participation in decision-making regarding geoheritage conservation and management. Therefore geotourism can be used as a tool to solving political ecology issues. The results of this study are expected to generate new scientific knowledge and contribute to the SDGs (1, 2, 4, 8, 15, and 17).