COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON
Ecotourism is often premised on the involvement of locals, occurring within their immediate vicinity and having the potential to induce sociocultural impacts. This study investigated community perceptions of the sociocultural impact of ecotourism in Cameroon. A mixed method approach was adopted w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Editura Universitatii din Oradea
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Analele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://istgeorelint.uoradea.ro/Reviste/Anale/Art/2023-2/auog.332105-915.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827573067097833472 |
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| author | Vyasha HARILAL Tembi M. TICHAAWA |
| author_facet | Vyasha HARILAL Tembi M. TICHAAWA |
| author_sort | Vyasha HARILAL |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ecotourism is often premised on the involvement of locals, occurring
within their immediate vicinity and having the potential to induce sociocultural
impacts. This study investigated community perceptions of the sociocultural impact
of ecotourism in Cameroon. A mixed method approach was adopted where 442
community surveys were administered to households in the Mount Cameroon
National Park and the Douala Edèa Wildlife Reserve, whilst key informant interviews
were also conducted with relevant officials. Key findings suggest that respondents’
perceptions of the sociocultural impacts are influenced by the level of ecotourism
development in their regions, where areas with a higher level of development
experience greater impacts. Sociocultural impacts tend to be positive, with
respondents noting that ecotourism leads to valuable and enriching cultural
exchanges, and an increased sense of pride. The results also highlight the importance
of local community structures in leveraging positive sociocultural impacts and
mitigating the negative. Thus, the paper argues that it is imperative that traditional
community structures are recognised as a key strategic resource for ecotourism
development and used to enhance ecotourism development in the region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:39:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80938b40c53548a599d5d331d2b2865d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1221-1273 2065-3409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:39:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Editura Universitatii din Oradea |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Analele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie |
| spelling | doaj.art-80938b40c53548a599d5d331d2b2865d2024-01-25T07:58:34ZengEditura Universitatii din OradeaAnalele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie1221-12732065-34092023-12-0133213515010.30892/auog.332105-915COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROONVyasha HARILAL0Tembi M. TICHAAWA1School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, e-mail: vyashah@uj.ac.zaSchool of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, e-mail: tembit@uj.ac.zaEcotourism is often premised on the involvement of locals, occurring within their immediate vicinity and having the potential to induce sociocultural impacts. This study investigated community perceptions of the sociocultural impact of ecotourism in Cameroon. A mixed method approach was adopted where 442 community surveys were administered to households in the Mount Cameroon National Park and the Douala Edèa Wildlife Reserve, whilst key informant interviews were also conducted with relevant officials. Key findings suggest that respondents’ perceptions of the sociocultural impacts are influenced by the level of ecotourism development in their regions, where areas with a higher level of development experience greater impacts. Sociocultural impacts tend to be positive, with respondents noting that ecotourism leads to valuable and enriching cultural exchanges, and an increased sense of pride. The results also highlight the importance of local community structures in leveraging positive sociocultural impacts and mitigating the negative. Thus, the paper argues that it is imperative that traditional community structures are recognised as a key strategic resource for ecotourism development and used to enhance ecotourism development in the region.https://istgeorelint.uoradea.ro/Reviste/Anale/Art/2023-2/auog.332105-915.pdfcameroonecotourismsociocultural impacts |
| spellingShingle | Vyasha HARILAL Tembi M. TICHAAWA COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON Analele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie cameroon ecotourism sociocultural impacts |
| title | COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON |
| title_full | COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON |
| title_fullStr | COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON |
| title_full_unstemmed | COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON |
| title_short | COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROON |
| title_sort | community perceptions on the socio cultural impacts of ecotourism in cameroon |
| topic | cameroon ecotourism sociocultural impacts |
| url | https://istgeorelint.uoradea.ro/Reviste/Anale/Art/2023-2/auog.332105-915.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vyashaharilal communityperceptionsonthesocioculturalimpactsofecotourismincameroon AT tembimtichaawa communityperceptionsonthesocioculturalimpactsofecotourismincameroon |