- Title
- Coastal communities' empowerment through participation in blue tourism activities in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Creator
- Runeli, Philasande Lioned
- Subject
- Tourism -- Environmental aspects
- Subject
- Marine ecotourism
- Subject
- Sustainable tourism
- Date Issued
- 2025-04
- Date
- 2025-04
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72343
- Identifier
- vital:79213
- Description
- The promotion and growth of blue tourism, particularly in metropolitan coastal regions such as Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa, requires strategic tourism marketing approaches that align with local economic development goals. These strategies not only boost the region's attractiveness to tourists but also enhance local economic participation by fostering sustainable practices and supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study investigated the role of micro-projects and SMEs in advancing blue tourism while addressing the challenges faced by the coastal communities. Specifically, it examined how tailored tourism marketing strategies and community-focused initiatives can unlock the economic potential of blue tourism in Nelson Mandela Bay. The research adopted a constructivist paradigm and employed a qualitative methodology, featuring semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, including community members and tourism industry professionals. This approach allowed for the collection of in-depth insights into the opportunities and barriers associated with blue tourism. Through this methodology, the study identified key themes around stakeholder collaboration, community engagement, and sustainable practices as the critical factors for success in this sector. The key findings revealed the importance of empowering local communities through capacity-building programs, enhancing collaboration between public and private entities, and creating targeted marketing campaigns to elevate blue tourism's profile. The study also highlights the necessity of equipping SMEs with resources and training to promote entrepreneurship and ensure their meaningful participation in tourism-driven economic growth. These recommendations are rooted in the broader objective of fostering an inclusive and sustainable blue tourism ecosystem that balances economic advancement with environmental stewardship. The study concludes by offering actionable recommendations for tourism practitioners, local businesses, and policymakers. These include developing community-driven marketing initiatives, establishing robust support structures for SMEs, and investing in skill development tailored to the blue economy. By prioritising these elements, the stakeholders can unlock long-term growth, by delivering enhanced economic benefits to coastal communities while enriching the visitor experience in Nelson Mandela Bay's unique coastal environment.
- Description
- Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (161 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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- Visitors: 18
- Downloads: 2
Collections
NMU School for Economics, Development and Tourism
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | RUNELI, P.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |