AN ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE TOURISM BEACH SITES IN KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Coastal and Marine Tourism (CMT) is the main sub-sector of tourism and has substantial socio-economic and environmental importance. Specifically, CMT is a key economic contributor, as well as creating opportunities for social, recreational and leisure experiences and promoting conservation and environmental awareness concerning coastal and marine natural resources. However, there are increasing demands on CMT locations, including increases in visitor numbers, residential and business-related development, natural resource extraction activities, and conservation imperatives. Understanding and balancing these demands are central to sustainable CMT in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal (with its mild climate and more than 600 km coastline with diverse coastal and marine resources and activities) is South Africa’s key CMT destination. There is limited research that undertakes provincial-level analyses focusing on the impacts and quality of CMT locations, especially beaches where diverse CMT activities are prevalent and are regarded as the most popular worldwide for tourism and leisure purposes. Additionally, CMT destinations, especially beaches, are highly vulnerable ecosystems. In this context, this study adopts the drivers, pressures, state, impact and response (DPSIR) framework to assess the state of 41 purposively selected CMT beach sites along KwaZulu-Natal's coastline. The state of these beaches was assessed during both off-peak and peak periods to consider seasonality, using an on-site observation checklist that related to specified criteria, including safety and security, signage, facilities and amenities, solid waste management, and natural resources. Of concern was that, although signage indicated awareness of aspects that need to be considered to restrict or limit usage at CMT locations, compliance with rules and regulations was almost non-existent. A key recommendation is that the management of CMT beach locations, especially during peak seasons when visitor numbers and consumption increase, needs to be addressed. Training of security personnel to assist with raising awareness and enforcement is particularly important. Improving infrastructure and services (such as bette r waste management) is also recommended. This study suggests that the demands on CMT beach locations, which are popular destinations, require better management to ensure socio-economic and environmental sustainability.