Research Article
Potential Economic Benefits of Cultural Heritage Based Tourism for Rural Communities in Zambia
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
188-201
Received:
4 September 2025
Accepted:
17 September 2025
Published:
17 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: This article is based on the findings of a study that was carried out around Lake Kashiba in Mpongwe district of Zambia. In this article it is argued that there is a plethora of cultural heritage elements in Zambia. More than three quarters of these constitute the main tourist attraction and are ubiquitously located in rural parts of the country. This presents great potential for such communities to participate in local economic activities through tourism. The article used qualitative data obtained through field interviews with 79 participants and 2 focus group discussions. From the study findings, six themes namely: plethora of heritage elements; sustainability of heritage for tourism; employment opportunities; business opportunities; leasing and selling of land; and barriers to tourism economic benefits emerged. Findings reveal that while there is great potential for cultural heritage based tourism to contribute to economic growth of rural areas hardly any economic benefits are realised by the local communities. This, to a large extent, could be attributed the lack of local community participation in tourism. The lack of local community participation and the resulting absence of economic benefits from tourism could be attributed to six main barriers namely: unfavourable government policies; inadequate employment opportunities; inadequate business opportunities; poor state of infrastructure; uncodified land tenure; and restrictive local myths. For economic benefits of cultural heritage tourism in rural areas to be realised, there is a need for supportive government policies and political will that would facilitate the participation of the local communities in the related activities. Such policies should prioritize the creation of awareness about the economic value of cultural heritage tourism among the concerned rural communities and building local capacity for their effective participation.
Abstract: This article is based on the findings of a study that was carried out around Lake Kashiba in Mpongwe district of Zambia. In this article it is argued that there is a plethora of cultural heritage elements in Zambia. More than three quarters of these constitute the main tourist attraction and are ubiquitously located in rural parts of the country. T...
Show More
,
Gift Masaiti
