Water Wheel Sept/Oct 2020: Water And Tourism

Abstract

Investing in freshwater ecological infrastructure for a resilient tourism economy: A call for action Tourism is a key strategic sector for economic growth and social change in South Africa. Tourism is also dependent on natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides. These ‘services’ provide the benefits that humans derive from nature, including natural flood control. South Africa’s natural environment is considered one of its greatest tourism resources. Yet the base of the country’s nature-based tourism industry – its natural wealth – is at risk. The degradation of freshwater ecosystems caused by many anthropogenic factors – including tourism – is also threatening the future of the tourism economy. So, what can be done? Researchers involved in a project titled The inland water-related tourism in South Africa by 2030 in the light of global change (WRC project no. 2620) explored how investing in freshwater ecological infrastructure can benefit tourism growth and small-business development. This project, funded by the Water Research Commission, stretched over three years.

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