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An Exploratory Assessment of Significant Tourism Sustainability Indicators for a Montane-Based Route in the Drakensberg Mountains

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  • Sarudzai Mutana

    (Department of Geography, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, 9866 Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
    Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, 9866 Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa)

  • Geoffrey Mukwada

    (Department of Geography, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, 9866 Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
    Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, 9866 Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa)

Abstract

This paper assesses the use the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) indicators for monitoring tourism along a mountainous route. The study was carried out along a mountain route in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. A survey was carried out among tourism businesses, local communities and local government officials located along the Maluti Route, which passes though the eastern part of the Free State Province of South Africa. This study constitutes the first assessment in which the GSTC indicators are applied in the assessment of the sustainability of route tourism in South Africa. The study first evaluated the importance of each indicator by considering the level of application in tourism business organisations before examining the perceptions of local community members and local government officials regarding the applicability of the indicators in the assessment of tourism sustainability. The results suggest that there is a general appreciation of tourism sustainability among tourism business operators although shortcomings were evident on environmental and socio-economic indicators. In conclusion, the paper suggests ways through which tourism sustainability could be enhanced among different players along the Maluti Route.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarudzai Mutana & Geoffrey Mukwada, 2017. "An Exploratory Assessment of Significant Tourism Sustainability Indicators for a Montane-Based Route in the Drakensberg Mountains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:7:p:1202-:d:104630
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Mirela Elena Mazilu, 2012. "Sustainable Tourism of Destination, Imperative Triangle Among: Competitiveness, Effective Management and Proper Financing," Chapters, in: Chaouki Ghenai (ed.), Sustainable Development - Policy and Urban Development - Tourism, Life Science, Management and Environment, IntechOpen.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriel Brătucu & Codruța Adina Băltescu & Nicoleta Andreea Neacșu & Dana Boșcor & Ovidiu Mircea Țierean & Anca Madar, 2017. "Approaching the Sustainable Development Practices in Mountain Tourism in the Romanian Carpathians," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Corneliu Iațu & Bogdan-Constantin Ibănescu & Oana Mihaela Stoleriu & Alina Munteanu, 2018. "The WHS Designation—A Factor of Sustainable Tourism Growth for Romanian Rural Areas?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Fabio Zagonari, 2019. "Multi-Criteria, Cost-Benefit, and Life-Cycle Analyses for Decision-Making to Support Responsible, Sustainable, and Alternative Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-35, February.
    4. Spyros Niavis & Theodora Papatheochari & Yannis Psycharis & Josep Rodriguez & Xavier Font & Anna Martinez Codina, 2019. "Conceptualising Tourism Sustainability and Operationalising Its Assessment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Community of Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-18, July.

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