![]() Thus, decision makers engaged in promoting sustainable development have to consider simultaneously the implications of the economic, environmental, social, and cultural factors involved. In fact, collision between tradition and modernity, which is mainly a socio-cultural clash, has been pointed out as the most widespread and dangerous form of conflict in the newly built world. Moreover, nature-based tourism also brings a certain degree of urbanization that may lead to further resource conflicts, which, if not promptly resolved, are likely to sow the seeds of socio-cultural problems. Such human–wildlife conflict may not be expected to decrease unless adequate solutions to limit crop and livestock damages are developed. Most wildlife management is habitat management, and increasing habitat quality for wildlife may imply diminishing pastoral areas or a decline in the carrying capacity for livestock grazing. Frequently, different forms of tourism that support the aesthetic and recreational values of wildlife, even if they only involve non-consumptive uses, negatively affect the “residents’ homes” by reducing food, water, and available space. However, achieving this goal may prove difficult, especially in areas where residents are expected to forgo the use of renewable natural resources for other purposes. Securing the well-being of residents and of people who live nearby implies respect for their needs, their culture, and their relationship to the land. In fact, according to most definitions, ecotourism is the travel to areas that have high patrimonial values with the purpose of benefiting the local population, amongst other reasons. ![]() Ecotourism has somehow emerged as a consequence of the growing dissatisfaction with conventional forms of tourism that tend to disregard local social and cultural elements. Thus, conflicting interests between nature conservation and local populations’ well-being should be addressed and managed according to locality profiles, with some exceptions, such as ensuring the entire population has access to pastoral lands.īesides having well-known negative ecological impacts, the tourism industry may also negatively affect local people and their lifestyles, but such social and cultural effects are often overlooked by both visitors and hosts. The level of urbanization and the distance to the core areas of touristic activities appear to be the main factors driving the villagers’ perception polarization. The research shows that most respondents’ perceptions strongly vary according to locality. To obtain information that is useful for a changing tourism management in order to increase rural communities’ well-being, we conducted a survey addressing local people’s perceptions about the following main topics: perception of the presence of visitors and of their activities present and prospective positive and negative effects of the park and government policies that should be developed in the near future. ![]() This study focused on indigenous populations’ attitudes concerning tourism activities taking place in the Iona National Park, located in the Namibe Province of Angola, where ecotourism is considered an anchor product and is expected to become an economic driver of major importance. Local people’s perception of nature-based tourism evolution and consequent impacts on their well-being are crucial in promoting ecotourism and achieving sustainable development. ![]()
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