Leveraging Online Digital Technologies for Sustainability in Community- Based Rural Tourism

The article addresses the challenge of promoting online digital technologies in community-based rural tourism (CBRT) in sub-Saharan Africa and the region’s socio-economic development. The authors explore the issue of digitalisation within the context of CBRT, which is an area that has so far received little attention. The study focuses on the efficiency and role of online digital technologies in promoting sustainable socio-economic development through CBRT initiatives. The problem is analysed in the light of ecological modernization theory and the theory of empowerment, both of which promote autonomous and digital-driven initiatives as a way of implementing sustainable socio-economic development in CBRT. The analysis is based on qualitative data collected from 22 respondents from Dinokasi (South Africa) and Binga (Zimbabwe), who participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The results indicate that online digital technologies enhance CBRT sustainability and socio-economic development.