Perspectives on Cultural Tourism: A Case Study of Bahurutshe Cultural Village for Tourism in Botswana

Abstract

In tourism cultural villages are relatively new attractions which have opened opportunities for the advancement of cultural and heritage tourism in developing countries. However, there is a lack of research pertaining to residents’ perceptions of cultural villages for tourism. This paper aims to examine residents’ perspectives of and support for the development of Bahurutshe cultural village for tourism in Mmankgodi, Botswana. Semi-structured questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect the research materials. The findings indicate that although a significant number of residents show support, differences were echoed in the rating of negative statements such as reduced residential and grazing lands; owners not giving back to the community and small contribution to the economic development of Mmankgodi village. Recommendations are that local people should be encouraged to become active subjects in development and initiate community-based cultural village for tourism from which they could derive tangible benefits.