The potential role of cultural heritage resources in tourism and community development at Musina municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa

Abstract

PurposeThis study evaluates “the potential role of cultural heritage resources in tourism and community development at Musina Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa.”Design/methodology/approachData on the local communities were collected by questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and field observations.FindingsThe study revealed a variety of cultural and heritage resources; however, with current fewer implications of tourism welfare on the livelihoods statuses of the communities. Thus, there was a need for a potentially sound tourism strategy in cultural heritage resources to empower the local communities in the study area.Originality/valueMusina Municipality has some of the most challenging impoverishment attributes within the province, defined by evident poor livelihoods. However, it remarkably possesses rich natural biodiversity and tourism destination areas. In line with the probe on the role of cultural heritage resources in tourism and community development, the study uncovers the values of attributing factors associated with the current nature of social heritage resources and their impacts on tourism and community developments. Issues of heritage and cultural resources on tourism and community development have become of main interest within the tourism industry.