The Community participation in rural tourism development initiatives. The case of Mnqesha Great Place, South Africa

The challenge in rural tourism development lies in ensuring the active participation of local communities. Without their involvement, achieving sustainability, improving community welfare, and fostering a sense of ownership becomes difficult. Community participation has been in the spotlight in tourism academia as a tool to induce sustainable tourism development. However, despite the profound commendations in the literature, destinations often fail to adequately operationalise effective community participation. This study aims to explore community participation in rural tourism development at Mnqesha Great Place, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected through focus groups, and purposive sampling—a non-probability technique—was used to select community leaders involved in tourism in the area. The results of the study highlight the community's limited role in planning, the lack of resources, and internal conflicts that hinder tourism development, which ultimately impedes the community's progress. The study recommends increased communication with the village leadership, the necessity of inclusive decision-making processes, and the establishment of local champions to enhance community-led tourism initiatives, offering a framework for successful rural tourism development.