TOURISM CONSTRAINTS OF UMLAZI TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ...

Wildlife, beach resorts and native crafts are primary tourist attractions in central andeastern Africa. Most tourists who visit the area are interested in viewing the diverseanimal population ofmammals, reptiles, and amphibians. People who live in theseareas, however, live a primarily agricultural lifestyle. Much of the land in theseareas is not suitable for farming. In spite ofthis, East Africans are prohibited fromhunting game inside the parks. Because of this the East Africans have becomeresentful ofthe wildlife parks and suspicious oftourism.To bring about peace between people and the environment, the governments ofsome African countries implemented programmes that allowed the local people toshare in the benefits of tourism.This encouraged the local people to adopt afavourable view toward both tourism and wildlife preservation (Foster, 1995).Tourism can thus be regarded as an important vehicle for promoting peace, peacewith other fellow human beings and also peace with the whole environment.Reaching this goal would result in the most peaceful world that can ever beenvisaged. Besides improving the quality oflife ofindividuals and communities andpromoting national peace and understanding, tourism has a role to play in theeducation ofindividuals and communities.2.5 THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF TOURISMWhen looking at tourism from its historical perspective, one discovers that tourismcame about because ofthe gradual increase in wealth, the extension ofthe merchantand professional classes, the effects of the reformation and the circularization ofeducation stimulated interest in other countries, and most importantly, theacceptance oftravel itself as an educational force (Lickorish and Jenkins, 1997).19'.