The interaction between environmental conservation, tourism and rural coastal livelihoods : a case study of the coastal region of Maputaland, South Africa

Abstract

This research project is interested in interrogating the complexities that are a consequence of the interactions between tourism initiatives, the natural environment and human communities that reside along the coast. Specifically, the research is concerned with the impact of tourism and environmental conservation efforts on the traditional livelihoods of rural coastal communities.

To investigate these phenomena, I have chosen the province of KwaZulu Natal located in the South Eastern part of South Africa. My research locale is the coastal area broadly known as Maputaland, a region which stretches for approximately 600km along the Indian Ocean from Lake Saint Lucia up to Kosi Bay which is located near the geographical boarder of South Africa and Mozambique and Swaziland.