Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. / Local communities in Namibia have few options for alternative income apart from selling crafts and livestock farming. The main objective of this study was to create an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of the local community at Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy regarding community based tourism (CBT), and to develop strategies that could be used to influence these perceptions with the main goal of using CBT as a vehicle towards the improvement of local peoples' livelihoods. The study also examined structures and institutions that impact the direction of CBT development at Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed for data gathering. A survey was undertaken by means of 67 structured questionnaires among local community members and key stakeholders, which resulted in a 100% return rate. Five in-depth interviews with stakeholders from government, NGOs, the private sector and financiers were also conducted. The findings reveal that local community measure development in line with socio-economic issues since 39% strongly disagreed that their needs are being met through CBT project implementation. They feel that the infrastructure for tourist is well developed for international standards, whilst conversely, community members live in squatter camps, burn candles and live in squalid conditions. Whilst the Namibian government has recognised tourism as a potential means of poverty alleviation, issues of ownership of cultural heritage resources are still not yet in the hands of locals. The study argues that tourism development has been pursued more for economic purposes than for sustainable tourism development. Whilst the conservancies were set up as a strategy for poverty alleviation, the study concludes that development has not yet filtered down to the needy. Therefore, perceptions among the local community are negative towards CBT as a vehicle for socio-cultural and economic development. This study recommends that in order for CBT development to be meaningful, local participation through ownership, capacity building and control should have precedence over pure economic issues. Currently, the biggest beneficiaries seem to be the private tourism sector and, to some degree, foreign investors. Further research should be conducted to evaluate the impact of community perceptions on the tourist in the long - run, since tourist arrival figures continue to increase at Twyfelfontein.

M.Com. (Tourism and Hospitality Management) / The significant role that SMEs play in the economic development of both developed and developing countries is acknowledged universally. In the development of policy relating to the tourism sector international organizations and tourism scholarship on collaboration and partnerships exhort governments to enter into partnerships with the private sector. One stakeholder that is often omitted is, however, the group of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Only a limited amount of work has been undertaken outside the developed world and sub-Sahara in particular, on issues relating to the involvement of SMEs in tourism policy. In this investigation, a qualitative explorative study was conducted with the aim of providing interpretative and evaluative knowledge on this phenomena. Based on purposive sampling forty key informants of various backgrounds and from different locations in Namibia participated in the study. The results of this research on Namibia contribute to the limited body of literature and knowledge concerning the participation of SMEs in the formulation of tourism policies. The study provides an analysis of the complexity of issues surrounding SME participation in policy formulation. It gives descriptions of the policy process in order to unravel the interaction between the various policy actors, their attitudes and behaviours. The major findings of the study are that in Namibia SMEs are involved in the policy process only in an ad hoc manner. Not only are they less knowledgeable about the policy process and policy content but also they are ignorant of the rules of engagement. The SMEs and interest groups respond to policy formulation as an end goal. The study recommends that SME incorporation in tourism policy formulation should be based on a number of overarching principles and approaches. It is argued SME involvement should be through consultation and empowerment. In addition, an important aspect of local empowerment is the impartation of skills and knowledge that enable SMEs to participate effectively in decision-making beginning with the local level.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / This research investigates the volunteer tourism industry in Namibia, a niche market of the tourism industry. The tourism industry is the fastest growing sector in the economy (Travel News Namibia, 2012: 9), and it is also the second largest contributor to GDP (Ministry of Environment and Tourism Annual Report, 2010: 14). Although the volunteer tourism industry has been active for more than 20 years, it is currently having trouble with its status as a recognised sector of the tourism industry. Industry members mostly fear that investments to grow the industry are at risk due to uncertain entry visa requirements for international volunteers. There is also a concern that the industry is not regulated like other sectors of the tourism industry and that volunteer tourism is not recognised with equal status. Industry members feel ignored when it comes to national marketing campaigns and when representative bodies act in their interest. Industry members also expressed concern being left out when it comes to drafting new laws that affect the industry. To understand the industry, it is vital to analyse the industry from an internal and external perspective. This includes an analysis of the current status of the strategic architecture of the industry and an environmental analysis. The report also presents innovations to a typical strategic architecture model. Information and data for this research report was gathered from tourism industry stakeholders and experts, managers of five of the biggest industry players, and international volunteers. The findings of the investigation reveal that the business model of the industry is working well. Initiatives for continuous improvement, however, remain small due to uncertainties experienced in the macro-environment. The competitive environment of the industry is conducive to performance, as well as price and costing models. Demand for volunteering in Namibia is on the increase and the industry has realised that it needs to prepare itself to capture its full potential. The establishment of the Namibia VolunTourism Forum, which is represented through important stakeholders of the industry, is a first step to find solutions to the many challenges. This report serves as a working paper for the tourism industry and in particular for the volunteer tourism industry with the aim to increase stakeholder value.

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide and its role as a fundamental contributor to the economic sector cannot be understated. However, this growth has led to an increase in negative environmental impacts. The success of tourism rests on the quality of the natural environment where it has been developed. Therefore should the natural environment and its resources be damaged or destroyed, the very resource that attracted tourists is destroyed, and the tourism industry will eventually collapse. The worldwide drive toward sustainable development and the growth in environmental awareness has placed pressure on tourism ventures to measure and mitigate their environmental impacts. This study was initiated to investigate the current sustainable performance of two safari camps owned by Wilderness Safaris. The primary reason for selecting these specific camps, relates to the fact that they are situated on the boarder of one of the most sensitive environments on earth the Namib Desert, and therefore demand effective management in order to ensure environmental degradation is prevented. The study engaged in the development of a list of sustainable tourism issues and their associated indicators, to assess the current sustainability of the two camps. The research also aimed to formulate baseline data for future comparisons. The camp's current sustainability was determined by applying the selected sustainability indicators, to assess the camp's environmental, social and economic impacts on the surrounding biophysical and socio-economic environments. A cross-case analysis was then conducted comparing the results of each camps performance. The results were also compared to the company's group environmental minimum standards. This was done to provide Wilderness Safaris with an external verification of their camps current sustainable performance and to provide baseline data for future comparisons. The chosen set of sustainable tourism indicators provided a time and cost-effective means of assessing the current sustainable performance of the two camps. Site specific recommendations were made for each camp to improve their sustainable performance. Future studies conducted by Wilderness Safaris can use this study as a benchmark to compare the sustainable performance of their camps. In addition this study can also be used as a benchmark for comparisons by other tourism ventures in other developing countries around the world. The study contributes to the academic body of knowledge in the field of study surrounding the application of sustainable tourism indicators to measure and operationalize sustainable development of tourism ventures. Conclusions recounting the sustainable performance of the two camps are made as well as recommendations for further research.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the context of both climate change and peak oil, it is clear that the tourism industry cannot continue with a business-as-usual approach. Unfettered fossil fuel use is no longer an option and novel approaches need to be explored in order to change the configuration of energy systems. Transport is particularly energy intense and consequently, since it involves travel, so is tourism. The Drifters Desert Nature Reserve (DDNR) is probably a net carbon sink. The property is large and has thousands of long lived trees and bushes: but this would be an ‘easy out’ in an industry which is has a reputation for evading tough questions. Are there affordable techniques that can be employed by the Reserve that will reduce its carbon footprint and enable it to move toward being entirely carbon neutral, without relying on sequestration? A willingness to pay (WTP) survey investigating if clients were prepared to pay a voluntary amount towards reducing the emissions of the DDNR, thereby offsetting some of their own emissions, was conducted; 121 questionnaires were completed. The results were extrapolated out to represent the WTP of the 1055 clients that visited the DDNR in the last year. It was found that 73% of all the clients who stay at the DDNR are willing to pay toward helping the DDNR change the way its systems are configured as a means to offset some of their own emissions debt in getting to the reserve. Lodge clients were prepared to pay almost double the amount clients staying at the campsite would consider. In both cases, WTP was around 10% of the value of the accommodation package chosen. The fossil fuel use and consequent carbon dioxide debt of the DDNR was calculated and emissions were found to be in the region of 30 tonnes per annum. As per the case in the greater Namibia, transport is responsible for the bulk of the carbon dioxide output, with energy provision in this off-grid reserve being a close second. Of four potential interventions considered, two were found to be financially viable, regardless of the WTP of clientele. It is speculated that WTP on a small scale is administratively laborious and the potential contribution of a voluntary offsetting payment was perhaps not high to justify the implementation of the scheme. It was however found that reconfiguring the energy systems would definitely be a worthwhile exercise. On corporate level where efficiencies of size amplify gains, Drifters, as a group of 14 lodges and an overland company, may well find that a transparent voluntary emissions reduction (VER) payment, ring-fenced, appropriately used, and properly implemented, is worthwhile. Ethically, however, injecting VER payments into a balance sheet is problematic, especially where the payback period of the technological interventions is short and the benefits derived are long term. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van fossielbrandstowwe wat in die huidige tydsgewrig tot die opwekking van oormatige kweekhuisgasse lei is nie langer aanvaarbaar nie en innoverende opsies om die voortgesette generasie van energie te verseker, sal nagestreef moet word. Een van die grootste verbruikers van energie is vervoer, en vervolgens is dit ook die geval dat toerisme, wat swaar op vervoer staatmaak, ‘n groot gebruiker van energie is. Aangesien daar etlike gevestigde bome en bosse op hierdie woestynreservaat is, is die Drifters Desert Nature Reserve (DDNR) moontlik ‘n netto bespaarder van koolstofgasse, maar dit kan nie sondermeer daargelaat word in ‘n bedryf wat bekend is daarvoor dat dit graag die moeilike vrae vermy nie. Daar is dus gevra: is daar bekostigbare tegnieke wat moontlik by die DDBR aangewend kan word om die koolstofvoetafdruk te verminder en dit in staat kan stel om totaal koolstofneutraal te word, sonder om op ingryping staat te maak? Navorsing is gedoen en 121 vraelyste is voltooi om vas te stel of kliente gewillig sou wees om ‘n vrywillige bydrae te maak om die afskeid van koolstof te beheer en daardeur hul eie koolstofvoetafrdruk te verminder, in ‘n sg “gewilligheid om te betaal” oftewel “willingness to pay” (WTP) opname. Die resultate is deurgevoer as verteenwoordigend van die 1 055 kliente wat verlede jaar die oord besoek het. Daar is gevind dat 73% van die kliente wat die oord besoek bereid sou wees om die DDNR geldelik te help om sy stelsels te verander as ‘n teenrekening om hul eie koolstofbesoedeling op pad daarheen te vergoed. Kliente wat die losie gebruik het was bereid om meer te betaal as diegene wat by die kampeerterrein tuisgegaan het. Die hele reservaat se jaarlikse koolstofdioksied debiet is bereken, en die jaarlikse opwekking is op ongeveer 30-tonne vasgestel. Nes in Namibie as geheel is vervoeruitlaatgasse verantwoordelik vir die oorgrote meerderheid opwekking, met die voorsiening van energie by die afgelee oord kort op sy hakke. Van die vier moontlike ingrypings wat oorweeg is, is twee finansieel die moeite werd gevind, ongeag die kliente se gewilligheid om geldelik by te dra. Die bestuur van aanvraag is ook oorweeg, en hoewel dit nie gekwantifiseer is nie, is dit nes die moontlikheid van tegnologiese innovering, duidelik deel van die oplossing, Daar is gevind dat ‘n stelsel van betaling op plaaslike vlak moeilik sou wees om die administreer, en aangesien selfs die gewilliges nie oorgretig is nie, is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat dit nie die moeite sou loon nie. Ongeag bogenoemde beginsel van toersitebydraes is daar gevind dat dit ongetwyfeld die moeite werd sou wees om die energiestelsels aan te pas. Maar dit sal nie noodwendig op ‘n korporatiewe of ‘n makro-skaal werk nie, veral nie waar grote ‘n rol speel nie. As maatskappygroep mag Drifters vind dat met ‘n deursigtige, vrywillige uitlaatverminderingspaaiement, wat afgebaken, korrek aangewend en effektief bestuur word, die kool die sous werd sou wees.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research focuses on the black rhinoceros and ecotourism in three conservation areas in the Kunene region of Namibia. The reciprocal impact between black rhino and community-based ecotourism is analysed. The research is located in two communal conservancies, #Khoadi-//Hôas and Torra, and in a photographic tourism concession, the Palmwag Concession Area. The research aims to explore and describe the reciprocal impact of community-based ecotourism efforts and black rhino spatial movement patterns in three conservation areas in north-west Namibia. An in-depth literature review was undertaken on the reciprocal impact between rhino-tracking tourism and conservation. A comparison was also made between the effects of human-induced disturbance on spatial movement patterns of black rhinos and the perception of tourists about tracking black rhinos. The value of black rhinos to community-based ecotourism was also determined. Quantitative research methodology was used for this study. Explorations of objectives were conducted through direct field observation with the aid of radio-telemetry tracking and aerial surveying for data gathering. The researcher employed SRT (Save the Rhino Trust) trackers in the study areas to assist with the tracking. The sample consisted of 24 transmitter-fitted black rhino in the three conservation areas. Rhino not fitted with transmitters have been included in the sample for more accurate results. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed at four tourist lodges in the study area. The hypothesis that sustainable ecotourism does not influence black rhino spatial behaviour was rejected. Rhinos in the study were easily disturbed and did not readily return to undisturbed behaviour. Their major response to disturbance was to run away. The disturbance was influenced by their initial activity when found. The highest disturbance occurred early in observations. Rhinos illustrated similar causes of disturbance throughout the study sites. The Springbok River emerged as the area with the most severe reactions to disturbance. This was supported by home range data and ecological constraints. Analysis of tourist responses regarding rhino tracking indicated a high demand for and level of satisfaction. This was the single determining factor for tourists to return to the Kunene region to do rhino tracking again. Tourists were willing to pay close to market price to track black rhino. It is recommended that tracking of black rhino should be avoided in the Springbok River and Aub/Barab areas. Tracking protocols should stipulate that tracking should only be conducted early in the morning; that rhinos may only be approached from downwind; that observation time may not exceed 15 minutes; that groups must be kept small; and that the approach distance may not be less than 100 metres. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van die navorsing is op swart renosters en ekotoerisme in drie bewaringsgebiede in die Kunene streek van Namibia. Die wedersydse wisselwerking tussen swart renosters en gemeenskaps-gebaseerde ekotoerisme is nagevors. Die navorsing het plaasgevind in twee kommunale bewaringsgebiede, #Khoadi-//Hôas en Torra asook ‘n konsessie vir fotografie in die Palmwag Konsessie Gebied. Die doel van die navorsing was om die wedersydse wisselwerking van gemeenskapsgebaseerde ekotoerisme en swart renosters se geografiese bewegingspatrone in drie bewaringsareas in noordwes Namibië te ondersoek en te omskryf. ‘n Deeglike literatuurstudie is gedoen ten opsigte van die wedersydse wisselwerking tussen toerisme met die doel om renosters waar te neem deur spoorsny en bewaring van die spesies. Die uitwerking van versteuring deur mense op die geografiese bewegingspatrone van swart renosters is vergelyk met die persepsie van toeriste ten opsigte van spoorsny van swart renosters. Die waarde van swart renosters ten opsigte van ekotoerisme is ook bepaal. Kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik in die studie. Die doelstelling van die navorsing is uitgevoer deur direkte veld waarnemings met behulp van radio-telemetriese opsporing en data insameling met behulp van lugsensusse. Die navorser het spoorsnyers van SRT (Save the Rhino Trust), wat in die studiegebied werk, in diens geneem om van hulp te wees met die spoorsny van renosters. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 24 swart renosters toegerus met seintoestelle in drie bewaringsgebiede. Renosters wat nie seintoestelle gehad het nie, is ook in die steekproef ingesluit ten einde beter dekking te verkry. Vierhonderd vraelyste is by vier toeristeoorde in die studiegebied versprei. Die hipotese dat volhoubare ekotoerisme nie ‘n invloed uitoefen op die geografiese gedrag van swart renosters nie, is verwerp. Renosters in die studie-gebied is maklik versteur en het nie geredelik teruggekeer tot onversteurde gedrag nie. Hulle reaksie op versteuring was gekenmerk deur weg te hardloop. Die mate van versteuring is bepaal deur die renosters se aanvanklike aktiwiteit by opsporing. Die meeste versteuring het gedurende vroeë waarneming plaasgevind. Dieselfde oorsake van versteuring is in al drie gebiede gevind. Die Springbokrivier was die gebied waar die sterkste reaksies ten opsigte van versteuring bespeur is. Dit word ondersteun deur die grootte van die loopgebiede van die renosters en ekologiese beperkings van die gebied. Data-analise van toeriste-vraelyste het aangetoon dat daar ‘n groot aanvraag en belangstelling is in die spoorsny van renosters. Die grootste bepalende faktor vir toeriste om na die Kunene streek terug te keer, is om renosters te sien deur middel van spoorsny. Toeriste is gewillig om die heersende markprys vir spoorsny van renosters te betaal. Navorsingsaanbevelings sluit in dat spoorsny van swart renosters in die Springbokrivier en Aub/Barab gebiede vermy word. Spoorsny-protokol moet stipuleer dat dit net in die vroeë oggend gedoen word, dat renosters slegs van onderkant die wind genader word, waarnemingstyd mag nie 15 minute oorskry nie, groepe moet klein wees en die afstand vanaf die diere mag nie nader as 100 meter wees nie.

Water is life, and without it nothing can survive. All plants and animals need water to survive, whether it is fresh or salty. Climate change and pollution contribute greatly to the decline of freshwater supply and quality (National Geographic, 2015). According to the United Nations, 10% of the global population does not have access to clean water (UN Water, 2016) while World Health Organisation (WHO, 2009) stated that 3,4 million people die annually from water related diseases. The tourism industry across the world requires water for basic human consumption, irrigation of gardens and golf courses, preparation of food and drinks, making snow for winter sports and general water activities such as swimming or motorised water sports (Gössling et al., 2012). Many tourism lodges in the wildlife lodge industry in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are in remote areas where little or no infrastructure exist. These lodges are dependent on natural water sources such as rivers, dams and boreholes to supply their water demand. The main objectives of the study were to determine water quality and quantity management in lodges from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The objectives were divided into sub-categories such as frequency and comprehensiveness of water quality analysis, the current quality of water at each lodge, water consumption per capita, establish benchmarks for the lodges and investigated other management components such as stakeholder involvement, financial implications and the monitoring of water management systems Across all three countries, 29% of the lodges have tested the water quality of their source, 61% tested water quality on their taps and 19% tested water quality of their wastewater discharge. From the 61% that did water quality tests on their tap, only 11% tested more than 37% of the required parameters as stated in the countries relevant standards and guidelines. The results indicated that the average water consumption across all three countries were 2073 l/g/n or 503 l/b/n when staff is included. Strong correlations were established between water consumption, the guest to staff ratio and rate in US $ when all three countries were considered. The water quality results indicated that several lodges had issues with Iron, Sulphate and Chloride levels. The author concluded that the current water management systems can be improved to ensure that water quality is managed more sustainably in the wildlife industry. The biggest concern relates to wastewater discharge, where very few water quality analysis are done. This has the potential to cause pollution and degrade ecosystems. It was recommended that more frequent and more comprehensive water quality analysis must be carried out on wastewater discharge as well as tap water to ensure water is safe for consumption. Lodge managers can appoint designated personnel to ensure that water meter readings are taken monthly and that they are probably recorded. The use of modern equipment such as pulse meters will prevent meters from seizing. Smart meters can be used to upload data to a cloud where WIFI is available. / Department of Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)