Awareness of Cultural Tourism among Stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa within the Context of Sustainable Participative Local Economic Development

The study examines the awareness among the stakeholders on KwaZulu-Natal's (KZN) culture tourism potential within the framework of sustainable and inclusive local economic development (LED). The study applies the mixed-methods method, combining quantitative from 71 respondents and qualitative from 12 in-depth interviews among members of the community, the authorities, and traditional leaders. The study's findings highlight the universal support for integrating the culture of the past into the core education system to long-term enhance awareness and respect for local ways. Additionally, the stakeholders were ready to engage with the tourists and provide unofficial assistance to guide them, showing community propensity for engagement in tourism business. The study, also observed limited awareness on the department's plans, including youth and women empowerment and support for small businesses. The departmental support to culture-derived tourism development came out lukewarmly, citing the lack of visible leaders and organized grassroots events. The study concludes there is a need for greater open planning, greater communication, and people-centered strategies focusing on education, capacity development, and stakeholder engagement to enable the scope of cultural tourism which enhances inclusive economic development in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The study confirms the participatory development theory through the central role played by awareness and stakeholder inclusion that unlocks the socio-economic strength of culture-derived tourism.