Evaluating the Potential of Community Tourism in Job Creation and Small-scale Businesses, among Other Indices of Measuring LED in the Umzumbe Local Municipality

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22703140

Clifford Mhlanyukwa Duma (Department of Sociology, University of Zululand, South Africa)

This paper assesses whether community tourism (CT) can support local economic development (LED) in the Umzumbe Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A combined qualitative and quantitative approach was used to collect data. The main CT resources in the Umzumbe Local Municipality include Umsikazi Mountain, Itshe lika Maria, Isivivane sika Shaka, and the Chief Ntelezi Msane Memorial. These sites were used to assess CT’s capacity to support LED. Findings indicate that many residents of the Umzumbe Local Municipality do not recognize the full potential of these CT resource areas. The paper recommends training programs to help community members participate in CT activities and contribute to local economic activity. The paper therefore explores strategies to increase local participation in CT and strengthen the local economy.