ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to address the challenges that rural communities in and adjacent to protected areas face to survive. An exploratory qualitative methodology was followed to determine within the context of sustainable tourism development and the sustainable livelihoods approach what the primary activities are of the communities, their awareness of the impact of climate change on preserving the wetland reserve and the importance of skills for employment in the tourism sector taking cognizance of the applicable Sustainable Development Goals of UNESCO (https://en.unesco.org/sdgs).The key findings indicate that survivalist communities need to be skilled to mobilise themselves economically and gain positive livelihoods, including through local tourism development. The equitable distribution of tourism benefits within a community remains lacking due to power struggles, internal tensions and different levels of awareness and access to benefits. The results indicate that although rural communities are aware of their plight, their inability to address and solve problems can be a possible reason why such communities cannot break out of the poverty cycle. Sustainable tourism practice, especially in protected areas, remains a very complex issue, and success depends on the level of involvement and empowerment of local communities in eradicating poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability. The iSimangaliso Wetland World Heritage Site will only be conserved for future generations by good governance and management, and these are topics that require further research.
