Nature Tourism, Conservation, and Development in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

This publication considers environmental, social and economic issues concerning the development of nature tourism. Using KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa as a case study, it highlights the benefits and trade-offs in promoting and managing sustainable nature tourism development, and examines how to promote the objectives of economic growth, poverty reduction and conservation. Three key issues are explored: the need to move beyond development of a wildlife industry to the creation of a true nature tourism economy that supports biodiversity; the role of the private sector in achieving equitable development and job creation while generating conservation finance; and alternative pricing and other market mechanisms to encourage the growth and economic viability of nature tourism.