Sustainable Ethical Tourism (SET) and Rural Community Involvement

Abstract

Tourism is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing sectors globally and is viewed as a desirable proposed investment option. Rural tourism is one type of tourism that has numerous potential benefits for including employment growth, an extended economic base, repopulation, social development, and a revival in local crafts. The rural tourism sector in particular, is an important area to consider given the ever-mounting unemployment in South Africa. This sector could and should play a greater role in the tourism development strategy of the government. The economy of South Africa is using tourism as part of it’s a development strategy and thus needs good environmental management to be in place and this must be both effective and efficient. Additionally, within this notion, the issue of mindfulness should be further promoted so that greater emphasis can be placed upon mindfulness-based tourism products leading to greater sustainability of the industry and the environment. This research provides a synopsis of rural tourism, varieties of tourism, and the benefits for rural communities and national economic development using Agenda 21. This paper is based on an extensive literature research methodology where existing literature including popular journals, websites, academic peer–reviewed journals and other related scholarly works, and any other sources relevant to the issue of rural tourism. was used to gather data and to analyse it. The epistemological basis of the study was interpretivistic. The researcher provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation in relation to the theme. The paper recommends best practices leading to ethical sustainable tourism development.