A framework for tourism value chain ownership in rural communities

Abstract

The lack of understanding and implementation of tourism community value chain ownership in South Africa inspired and compelled this research. This study aimed to develop a framework to close this gap by reviewing the various tourism community business ownership models as well as measuring the levels of tourism value chain ownership and business ventures by rural communities. The study postulates that through ownership of the tourism value chain, not only do the rural communities have the rights to the usage of the owned property, but they also have the means to be involved in tourism activities in more rewarding ways than mere participation as they develop skills and knowledge to manage these products. Since tourism communities formulate larger society, the study used a hypothetical sociological approach to grasp a better appreciation of society, its institutions, and relationships. Societal set-up has tremendous influence on communities' perceptions and attitude towards tourism. Through participation, communities' attitudes towards tourism are positively influenced but the lack of equitable benefits renders it inadequate. The study further examines the concept of ownership and community sense of ownership by reviewing various community ownership models, past and present, that reveal how community needs are dynamic and how they change over time. Through the ownership of the tourism value chain by local communities, the inadequacies of mere participation can be overcome. A phenomenological approach from a mixed-method framework of empirical study was adopted for this research that utilised the concurrent triangulation research design. The empirical phase of the study sought to ascertain the selected communities' status quo, their support for tourism, as well as determine their levels of, and barriers to, ownership of the tourism value chain. Qualitative data collection and the collection of quantitative data were done concurrently before results were analysed independently and then compared. Five in-depth interviews were conducted, two with the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park community liaison officers, and three with the community traditional leaders, whilst a community survey gathered 325 completed questionnaires. vi While this research reveals a gloomy picture of the communities' ownership of the tourism value chain, it also highlights the potential that ownership of the tourism value chain by rural communities has in the quest for equitable development. This potential is negatively impacted largely by the communities' lack of business skills and education; lack of tourism exposure; lack of institutional (governmental and non-governmental) support; as well as financial incapacitation. This is worsened by lack of secure land tenure rights by the rural communities. This study suggests various equitable partnerships, capacitation, and funding of local communities for the ownership of the tourism value chain by rural communities to be a success. The study stipulates the desired role of external players in the various partnerships to foster self-reliance in local communities and discourage their dependence on outsiders for solutions to all their challenges. This research makes a theoretical contribution to the body of knowledge pertaining to tourism communities and ownership of the tourism value chain to advance the equitable distribution of tourism benefits in rural areas of developing countries. From a practical standpoint, this research submits a tourism community value chain ownership framework envisaged for use by policymakers, various developmental organisations, planners, and scholars in developing economies.