the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

used to help local communities identify local and international markets for tourism
products such as craftwork. Local communities need to develop tourist projects that
use locally available knowledge, skills and materials, such as leatherworks, curio
shops, campsites, community tour operations, cultural tourist activities, traditional
accommodation and food, and boat (mekoro) safaris (Mbaiwa, 2002).
9.12.5 Local Participation in the Decision-Making Process in
Tourism/Resource Sector
Local community participation in decision-making regarding tourism and
wildlife/resource management in the Okavango Delta is an important aspect of
sustainable tourism development. It has been noted that local communities do not
play a major role in decision-making regarding tourism development or resource
utilization and management, nor do they receive any significant benefits from
tourism or resource management in their surroundings beyond a relatively modest
number of jobs (Mbaiwa, 2002).
Effective and sound natural resource management and monitoring of tourism
activities requires the involvement of those living with the resources since they are
better placed and are economically motivated to monitor the use of these resources
on a daily basis. This means that, to a certain extent, the decentralization of tourism
resources in the Okavango Delta to the district and to the local communities, should
occur, and should also incorporate rights over land use which will, in the long run,
enhance the commitment of the local people. Once rural communities have access
to, and experience meaningful benefits from tourism and natural resource
preservation, they should feel obliged to use them sustainably. Mention has been
made of the so far unsuccessful efforts of the Departments of Wildlife and National
Parks and Tourism to monitor tourism activities in the Okavango Delta.
The participation of local communities, based on their ownership of resources, would
empower local people to monitor such resources themselves. Studies have shown
that once local people own resources and receive economic benefits from the
preservation of such resources, they are capable of effectively ensuring the
sustainability of natural resources. Local communities often possess local
knowledge of natural resource use that can be fused together with modern scientific
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