International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Systems Volume 4 Issue 2, 2011 ISSN: 0947-6250 Print © Copyright IJHTS ® Exclusive Marketing Rights: Publishing India Group

Community Based Tourism in Twyfelfontein Conservancy: Exploring Local Community’s Involvement

Joram Ndlovu, Elias Nyakunu, Sisco Auala Polytechnic of , 13 Storch Street P. Bag. 13388, , Namibia E-mail: [email protected] Polytechnic of Namibia, 13 Storch Street P. Bag. 13388, Windhoek, Namibia E-mail: [email protected] National Heritage Council of Namibia, P. Bag 12043, Windhoek, Namibia E-mail: [email protected]

Local communities in Namibia have few options for alternative income, apart from selling souvenirs and livestock farming. The overall aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tourism as a modern economic activity and the plight of indigenous people venturing into Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTs). The study examined actors, structures and institutions within the context of community involvement in CBTs and made use of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The purpose of using a qualitative approach was to get an in-depth understanding of the social and psychological phenomena that could lead to the formation of certain perceptions towards community based tourism (CBT) at Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy. On the other hand, the quantitative approach sought to use numerical measurements and statistical analysis to examine social phenomena data obtained through the use of questionnaires. Sample population comprised 58 community members and 9 stakeholders made up of government, private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations. It is apparent from the study that issues of governance and ownership of commercial activities are still beyond reach of the community members. CBT partnerships have been pursued for economic purposes than for sustainable development. Whilst the conservancies were set up as a strategy for poverty alleviation the study observes that development has not yet filtered down to the needy. Local participation through ownership, capacity building and control should have precedence above pure economic issues. The study further recommends that the CBRM program as a dominant development model should recognize the need for capacity building, shared values and desires of the potential beneficiaries.

KEYWORDS: Sustainable development, community based tourism, poverty alleviation, local participation, tour operators.

1. INTRODUCTION As a result, tourism has been developed so that sustainable utilization of natural resources can benefit the rural The constitution of the Republic of Namibia stipulates, in communities in Namibia. These communities have been article 95 (1), the importance of promotion and involved in the development of community based tourism maintenance of the welfare of the people of Namibia projects in their regions for over 10 years since the policy through sustainable utilization of natural resources for the on community-based tourism was established in 1995 benefit of all Namibians (Namibian Constitution, 2002:36). (NACSO, 2006). However, the Ministry of Environment Community Based Tourism in Twyfelfontein Conservancy: Exploring Local Community’s Involvement 39 and Tourism recognizes the inequalities that exist in the Considering the geographical isolation of this CBT from tourism industry hence the introduction of Community the mainstream tourism and the perceptions of inferiority in Based Tourism Programs. This paper provides the the quality of CBT products, community benefits are background of the study, the literature review, marginal. This is exacerbated by lack of marketing of CBT methodology and the findings. The last part of the paper products. To realize the potential to increase community discusses and contributes towards sustainable development. benefits requires aggressive marketing. However, the local com