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INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS

COPY RIGHT © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 457

SEPTEMBER 2013

VOL 5, NO 5

A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL OBSTACLES IN THE

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS IN ZIMBABWE

Jeanette Tsikadzashe Matina¹, Beh Yean Shan*²,Nik Ahmad Ridzaffi Taqriz Shah³ ¹Student, International Hotel and Tourism Management, School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts,

KDU College, Penang, Malaysia.

*²Lecturer, Tourism Management and Development, School of Tourism, Berjaya University College of

Hospitality, Level 11, West, No. 1, Jalan Imbi, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

³Lecturer, Event and Tourism Management, School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts, Taylors

University Lakeside Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to examine the potential obstacles challenging the development of national parks in

Zimbabwe. The research‟s initiative was driven primarily by the serious poaching crisis in Zimbabwe. The

maintenance of these national parks becomes a major issue, a major challenge for the government and authorities

concerned. The study focuses on the potential obstacles of development for national parks in Zimbabwe from

various stakeholder‟s perspective. Data collected was analyzed with categorization and affinity group analysis.

The findings and discussions of the study were presented according to its theme. A total of five potential

obstacles were identified and discussed by both governmental and non-governmental bodies (NGOs). This study

had successfully gathered the insights of both authorities and NGOs on the challenges faced by these national

parks and had also gathered some proposal of solutions from both parties to overcome the identified challenges.

Keywords: OBSTACLES; NATIONAL PARKS; ZIMBABWE

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1. INTRODUCTION

The world has continued to join as a union front over the years. As the largest market in the world to draw in the

most revenue annually, the tourism industry brings in a combined $3 trillion worldwide (United Nations World

Tourism Organization, UNWTO, 2012).Tourism was the way people moved towards certain places away from

the regions they reside, they participate in leisure excursions during their time of stay, and facilities are made

available to look after them during their stay (Mathieson and Wall, 1982 as cited in Wamwara and Cornwell,

2008).The tourism industry is probably one of the world„s highest grossing industries, and over the years it has

managed to create over thousands of jobs to individuals in most developing and developed countries (World

Travel and Tourism Council, WTTC,2012).There are a total of eleven differently located National Parks in

Zimbabwe, Chimanimani National Park, Chizarira National Park, Hwange National Park, Kazuma National

Park, Mana Pools National Parks, Matusadona National Park, Matopos National Park, Victoria Falls National

Park, Zambezi National Park, Nyanga National Park and Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe boasts as a

strong hold in the tourism Industry. All the National Parks are strategically located to ensure the number of

visitors to all national parks is equally dispersed(Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authorities, 2013).

According to Nyaguse (2001) who studied on the national parks in Zimbabwe and its influences on the tourist

numbers, he reached a conclusion that most national parks in Zimbabwe despite the scenery located in the

national parks were developed to protect and preserve the wildlife, whilst others were developed to help preserve

the ecosystem.The main focus of the economy fell solely on the structures in the country and not solely on the

activity to revive the tourism industry in Zimbabwe.Table 1.1shows that in 1998, Zimbabwe was ranked as the

10th

top African Countries to earn the most. However, tourist numbers over the years has dropped drastically, as

shown in the table 1.2 and there followed by figure 1.1that evidenced that the numbers of tourist arrivals over the

years has fallen. As a result of low tourist arrival, the economy also suffered a drastic blow.Table 1.2 illustrates

the tourist arrivals during the period of 2003 – 2011. These statistics showed the numbers of arrivals into the

country dropped as the years went on. As a result of poor management, the economy has continued to fall and

this might be caused by the political issues that the country went through in the last couple of years. Tourist

arrivals were relatively low throughout the time as people were skeptical in travelling.

Figure 1.1 evidenced the numbers dropping in arrivals over the years that has also impacted in the economy

downfall. The decrease of tourist visitation to Zimbabwe national parks resulted in the decrease of income that

flows into the country especially from tourists who explored the tourist sites. The main goal of this study is to

determine whether the obstacle faced by Zimbabwe in the development of national parks, and it also seeks

answers to existing obstacles.This would help to ensure that the sustainability of national parks in the country

from the perspectives of government agencies, the local community, environmentalists, special interest group

and media.

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Importance of tourism in Zimbabwe

Tourism in Zimbabwe plays a very important role for the country, and as it generates a big part of the national

income. According toUNWTO (2004), approximately 1.6million tourists visited the country and brought in 80

million Euros into the country. Tourism in Zimbabwe remains a strong economic stabilizer in for the country.

Tourism in Zimbabwe is the 3rd

highest foreign currency stipendiary in the country after mining and agriculture.

This might be possibly caused by affordable flights and higher accessibility to Zimbabwe as compared to visiting

other destinations. Zimbabwe is known for Victoria Falls and the vast landscape and wildlife. Tourism generates

large employment opportunities for the locals in the country and to certain extent to other Africans around the

world. National parks as the main attraction of the tourism industry of Zimbabwe should be primarily concerned

over its sustainability and development.

2.1.1Role of National Parks in Zimbabwe

The role of national parks is to safely look after the wildlife in the country. The authorities need to ensure that the

wildlife is closely monitored and taken care well. The national parks act as a sanctuary and home to the wildlife.

Secondly, is to act as an attraction for tourists and visitors by providing public the opportunity to move around

and view different kinds of wildlife in the parks. Therefore, maintaining the quality and development of these

national parks are vital.

2.2Role of various stakeholders for the development of national parks in Zimbabwe

This particular study is adapted because it can be easily related to the current study that is trying to investigate

on national parks, the elements being investigated are similar to that of which affect the national parks around

Zimbabwe. Each element in the framework of study has a distinct role in the growth and maintenance of the

national parks.The framework used in the previous study was focusing more on Eco-tourism. This particular

framework is used in this study because the elements have been closely examined and deemed to fits well with

the nature of this study. Adding to this, the framework has helped to analyze in a way the impact eco-tourism

may have on the development of other aspects such as national parks in Zimbabwe.

2.2.1 Local community

The present study is primarily driven by previous study. This study performed a similar study on “Nature based

Eco-tourism in a Growing Market” by(Chirgwin and Hughes, 1997). The framework of study (figure 1.2) had

been drawn based on the facts of study by Chirgwin and Hughes. The main purpose of this research isto

identifythe potential obstacles that the national parks are facing in its development. The impact of tourism had the

potential to grow and improve as it serves as both tourism entity as well as an economic booster for the country.

The maintenance of the resources in the country, especially in national parks depending widely and exceptionally

on the local community, as the local community is the core of every tourism destination. They learnt to

understand the environment better than the tourists, even better than the tourism associations in the country as

they reside longer in the place longer. Without the locals the country would not be able to function, as the locals

assist every industry by working, and travelling. The reason of the local community being viewed as an obstacle

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in the framework of study is the possibility on the role of locals being viewed as a threat by the government in

conflict of views and perspectives (Gandiwa, 2011). Therefore, gaining views from the local community is vital.

2.2.2 Government agencies

The government agencies such as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Ministry of tourism, National Park

Authority to name a few, all work with the government to ensure that the country works together for its

development. It is important to gather insights from the government agencies in the obstacles hindering

development of national parks as government agencies work with the national parks to ensure growth (Crisis

Coalition Zimbabwe, 2004).The political instability in Zimbabwe has caused many international investors to

either withdraw their investments or refrain from investing in the country as they felt that the country could

collapse at any minute. The shortage of foreign currency in the country makes it almost impossible to repatriate

dividends from investments and there is reportedly a large backlog of such dividends awaiting repatriation. The

political issue was only one side of the story the main issue aroused when there was no more funds to help

maintain and look after the national park, this resulted in poachers coming into the parks and most of the animals

were killed either for commercial purpose or as a game by poachers. These poachers were also locals who had

not been paid as a result of the investors backing out and political instability which resulted in many locals

having to suffer through week‟s sometimes even months without any food or money. As a result the employees

who worked near the parks went out to reserves and took whichever meat they found and kept it for themselves

some even sold it in order to make some extra income.

Mpofu (2009) states that “Zimbabwe had about 1,000 rhinos 20 years ago, but only 400 of the

endangered species are left, after most of them had been poached. Nobody is policing people in high places who

are running the highly organized poaching rackets. The army and police have been engaged to fight poachers, but

soldiers are also poorly paid and are actually poaching.”

Government agencies need to analyze the existing problems that were already in the community and those issues

that are affecting the resources in the national parks. Therefore, there is a need for the party concerned to look at

the potential solutions and other options that could have helped in preparing the government in expanding their

resources into the maintenance and development.

2.2.3 Investors

As discussed the political instability has not only caused alarm in the economy but has also caused the investors

coming into the country to second guess their investments in the country. With the political issues many potential

investors have either fled the Zimbabwe market or have pulled out their money as they felt that they were at risk

of losing their money if they continued to work or operate in Zimbabwe.

British Airways said they have no plans to pull out of Zimbabwe, and are confident that a problem can be

resolved over the government refusing to allow them to remit earnings to the UK. Australia's Quanta‟s and

Germany's Lufthansa have already left Zimbabwe. Austrian Airlines will do so on 14 March (Machipisa, 2001).

Adding to this because tourism is a high earner in Zimbabwe, the number of foreign tourists dropped which

resulted in fewer numbers of travelers coming in to see the national parks and as well as other attractions in

Zimbabwe.

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Many of the investors who once worked with Zimbabwe Tourism as well as the government have moved on to

other border countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, all of which are neighboring countries some

of which Zimbabwe shares boundaries like the Victoria Falls. Furthermore, the country had already lost the

construction of a multi-million dollar resort complex to Zambia as well as other developments planned for

Victoria Falls. This resulted in one of the country's major hotel groups, the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), are

indicative of the harsh reality that Zimbabwean tourism firms are facing. The hotel and tour group experienced a

turnover decline of 14% which meant an operating loss of Z$104 million (Zimbabwe dollars) which is equivalent

to US$1.9million.

2.2.4 Economy

With the phenomenon of investor withdrawal, Zimbabwe must have taken the largest hit from the fall. As it is

only a developing country most of it precedes stand strongly on tourism and mining sectors to bring in money to

keep the country afloat. The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it

struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and bare shelves. Its

1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of millions of

dollars from the economy. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has

badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the

provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. Badly needed support from the

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans, which

it began repaying in 2005. The official annual inflation rate rose from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in

2005, and approached 1000% in 2006, although private sector estimates put the figure much higher. Meanwhile,

the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 160

per US dollar in 2006.

With the quick downfall of the economy the tourism sector is said to have suffered the most over the years. With

little to no money coming into the country is insufficient fund to take care of the basic infrastructure in the

national park regions which automatically means that the parks will be left unattended for time on end and this

will result in the deterioration of the already existing resources. With the economy in Zimbabwe falling at a quick

level the amount of tourists coming in is also dropping as other destinations seem to be more fitting to their

needs. As a result of the political instability in the country fewer people would want to take the risk of coming to

a country that could so rightfully collapse before them.

2.2.5 Media

The media could also be part of the obstacles as they may have aired out information that is best kept within the

country to international markets or other countries and this may be seen as part of the reason for the drop of

tourist arrival in the country. However, the media could also be a huge benefit for the country as they would have

helped the country‟s national parks to gain popularity amongst other countries that may have similar products.

Another obstacle that the authorities might face could be the possible economy crisis facing the world. There may

not be enough funds for the development of national parks as the income made from annual tourists may go to

funding ofother projects and lesser importance and concern has been placed on the development of tourism.The

media in Zimbabwe is separated into different industries in the country ranging from NGOs to the government

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agencies as well as universities both public and private. The main media research programme in the country is

Zimbabwe all Media Products Survey (ZAMPS). This program is initiated and owned (through a shareholding

structure) by advertising agencies and marketing, public relations and business interests, hence its agenda is to

source information on audience response to media products for the benefit of advertisers and business. The media

in Zimbabwe over the years went through a few hardships as a result of the economy and political tension. Media

is posed as an obstacle towards the national parks. It is evidenced when political crisis started in Zimbabwe

(Coltart 2008), the media from all outlets local and international published what was going on in the country and

this hindered progress in the country. Adding to this the information that was reported regarding violence and

instability towards the locals sent the country into turmoil resulting in the drastic drop of the country‟s tourism

industry. This further solidifies the need of gathering insights from the media point of view.

2.2.6Non-governmental organizations

The country has a very strong NGO sector that works with human rights and the freedom of the people. However

most of the funding of the NGOs is based on donor community with most of it coming from humanitarian issues

as well as poverty alleviation (Mukundu, 2006).The NGOs faced a few issues working the government because

of the political issues. This was also seen as an obstacle because the NGOs approval in the country is necessary

as they have access in getting aid from foreign countries and by having this link the country could have used this

to strengthen their relationships with other foreign countries that they had conflict in the past. This is being

viewed as an obstacle because the relationship that was hindered between government and NGOs in a way

slowed down the countries progress as they do not have sufficient fund to fend for the locals in rural areas. As

NGOs are actively involved in many voluntary activities in protecting human rights as well as wildlife, it would

be vital to gain insights from their point of view.

2.4.4 Environmentalist

There is also a need to gather viewsfrom environmentalists working in the national parks when it comes to the

obstacles that were facing in the development of national parks in Zimbabwe. As environmentalists are deemed

to be appropriate in providing objectives view as they are commonly active as volunteers and front liners. With

the extensive actual experience working in the parks as front liners, their views and opinions are deemed as

valuable and important for this study. They may also be able to provide some guides and views on the

environmental issues that are affecting these national parks as the last possible obstacle faced by the national

parks in its development might be environmental factors, such as global warming .The weather conditionscould

post a huge issue for the national parks and sanctuaries in the country. The potential obstacles are discussed

based on previous research had evidenced the importance of gathering insights from various parties concerned on

the issues of national park development.

3. METHODOLOGY

The data gathered was mainly from the government organization, local community and NGOs, in regards to the

risk of the national parks in Zimbabwe. Interview questions were prepared in advance and some were asked

randomly during the research process. The information obtained from the interviews was serving as the primary

sources, and related literature, journals, books and other past researches was serving as secondary

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sources.Qualitative approach is deemed to be more appropriate in this study because it has more descriptive and

explanatory design that explains the phenomenon better whereas quantitative research is mainly focused on the

numerical and calculative part of the research. Therefore qualitative is most suitable for this research as it draws

out in-depth comparison of the elements (Marshall and Rossman, 2011).

3.1.1 Research Sample design and Technique

The researcher used non- scientific sampling instead of scientific sampling because scientific sampling is mainly

done at random selection and unbiased, however with non-scientific sampling there is a better chances for the

study being conducted as the researcher only targets one specific group. This type of sampling would better suit

the study as the population being asked is not large and there is likely to be a likeness in the way the respondent

answer the questions which would leave room for further investigation (Marshall and Rossman, 2011).

Purposive sampling method was employed in this study. Using purposive sampling whereby certain people in the

population are selected and used to find answers. The main intervieweeswere managers and associates in the

organization, and local community. The researcher interviewed ninepersonnel in different positions within

several different organizations in and around Zimbabwe. This was because there were numerous Tourism

Organizations in Zimbabwe, so by broadening the number of personals to interview, this would result in more

information being obtained and further to this there would have been a wider comparison spectrum to choose and

identify the issues if there were fewer personnel. The interview process involved a total of nine participants‟ in

the spanof three weeks and each session lasted approximately one to two hours.

3.1.2 Subject

The data collection was done by interview involving open ended questions; respondents were required to give

answers to the questions in regards to the questions raised during the interview. The interview questions were

asked to representatives from government agencies, local community members, and NGOs, environmentalists

and media personnel. The samples were found and used to understand the significance of conserving national

parks in Zimbabwe and the impact they may have had on the community.

3.1.3 Research instruments

Data were collected through online interviews. The interviews were conducted through video conferencing as

well as electronic channels such as instant messenger mediums. Most interviewees requested for Skype interview

session and messenger (yahoo) interview session. The data collection process involved the local community,

NGOs and government agencies. The interview questions were mainly open ended questions.All the data

obtained was kept and saved so as to give the researcher the opportunity to refer back to the interviews in the

case that there is a need.

3.1.4 Interview Note Design

The first section of the interview questions was mainly focusing on the “Questions for Poaching Crisis in

Zimbabwe”, in this particular section the researcher intends to investigate whether the respondents are aware of

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the current issues regarding poaching and their views on the issues. These questions were asked in order to gain

insights on the threat on the national parks through poaching and also to identify the potential issues that could

arise from this.

The second section of the interview was mainly focusing on the “Questions for Advertising and Promotion Media

in Zimbabwe”. This particular section the research intends to gain insights onrole of mediain influencing the

development of national parks in Zimbabwe. Questions seek answers to recovery plan of the management, and

both negative and positive recovery actions could be taken by media for the national parks of Zimbabwe. The

third section of the interview was mainly focusing on the “Questions for Economic Issues”. In this section, the

researcher intends to investigate the issues posed by the economy. Questions seek answers to the role of national

parks in country‟s economy, and the role of economic crisis to its development.

The fourth section of the interview labeled “Questions for Development in Zimbabwe”. In these questions the

first one was asked to investigate the health issues in the National Parks and how these issues can be fixed and

how they can be handled. The second question was asked to investigate if the country has over developed over

the years in some areas. In the last section of the interview labeled “Questions for Recovery in Zimbabwe”. In

this section the interviewer wanted to investigate the recovery plan and what can be done to continue the growth

of the country. Questions seek answers to the political issues affecting the recovery plan, media coverage and

how the political instability affects the recovery plan, in regional and tourist numbers.

4. RESULTS AND FINDINGS

The interview process was conducted through internet a total of 9 respondents were contacted to participate in

this interview process. The respondents were from different areas in the tourism industry as well as the

community in the country.

4.1.1 Poaching crisis

According to the respondents‟ majority stated that in the development of national parks, poaching was an issue

and probably one of the biggest obstacles facing the parks. All of them stated that the parks need to find a way to

conquer this issue, as no national park can exist in total isolation and over the years the fact is becoming

increasingly clear as spaces around the parks are being developed into housing developments, agriculture and in

some places even into mining zones. The main species protected in the national parks protected in the national

parks do not recognize the boundaries. Poaching had become an issue on the country, from the researcher‟s

knowledge in the early 2000s the country went through sheer hardship, the government agencies failed to provide

for the local communities and as a result poaching began even until now years after the crisis, the country still

has a considerably long way to go in terms of finding a solution to this issue. Agreeing fully with the respondents

that poaching is an obstacle that is raging the country, there is a definite need to find new and alternative methods

in order to conquer this obstacle.

Most recently, the country launched the International Anti- Poaching Foundation, whereby they train park

rangers to enable them to fight and look after the National Parks. According to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife

Management Authority (ZPWMA), the aim of the foundation is to restore the condition of the National Parks and

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to attain financial stability. However, in my opinion the issue here is not having the ability to train parks rangers

or involving ZPWMA, the issue in the discussion is poaching and it is a necessity for the country to be able to

work to countering poaching. The poachers are not foreigners, but Zimbabweans, locals. The only way to begin

countering the poaching obstacle is to go out and teach the community, in schools anywhere they can educate the

community on the necessity of having National Parks in the country, and every species in the national parks are

virtually important. Another obstacle that the respondents stated that there was lack of knowledge in the

community. There is insufficient education on the poaching crisis in the country and this is an issue as poaching

crisis is mainly caused by community who are not exposed to proper education and knowledge on its

consequences.

4.1.2 Financial crisis

According to the respondents the national parks suffered during this time because they had limited funding in the

country especially in the tourism sector. The Tourism in Africa Journal stated that in 1997, Zimbabwe was

ranked in 9th

top African Top earners. Over the years the country failed to maintain that level as a result of the

economic crisis that was facing the country there was little to no money (foreign exchange) coming into the

country so they were unable to maintain and continue function as a country. The inflation rate raised very fast,

the currency depreciated even faster, as a result of little trade in the country.

Respondents clearly states that the economic meltdown had a drastic impact on the country businesses closed

down and mainly investors left the country. In all fairness, the country did suffer economically; however, the

government should have anticipated the crisis when they realized that the country was having issues. The

Zimbabwe dollar is no longer in the country, in because it had depreciated very much. However it is necessary

for the government to have a backup plan. With the rate at which poaching is on the rise in the country, this may

be a problem for the country too, because they do depend on tourism as a source of income and also for

employment. The government has to ensure that they have tight policies and plans in the case of worse economic

crisis.

4.1.3 Outdated Technology

Another obstacle that is affecting the development of national parks in the country is that there is insufficient up

to date technology. There is a need for the country to have updated technology in the national parks so that they

are able to monitor certain things. For example the respondents stated that there to be better surveillance systems

being implemented in the parks.National parks authorities have started to train park rangers to “safe guard” the

national parks, in a way this is good but in the long run it will not be as effective. This system will probably work

the first 2-3year. Whereas if they had a working surveillance system this would be easier for the authorities to

monitor as everything is recorded and the record can be kept for reviews and monitoring purposes. These can be

used in the future for training purposes and they can always refer to these in the future.

4.1.4 Political instability and miscommunication

The last obstacle has viewed by the respondents ispolitical instability that leadsto miscommunication. Political

instability is probably the biggest obstacle that the country faced during the 10years stretch. The respondents

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mentioned that the country in a way was not at a standstill during these times as the people nor the government

had no idea on what they had to do in order to move forward.

5. CONCLUSION

As the conclusion for the study, five potential obstacles challenging the development of national parks in

Zimbabwe have been identified. However, the quality and accuracy of the responses were not up to expectations

as some of the respondents refused to provide constructive reviews on the questions asked. The five potential

obstacles identified are poaching crisis, financial crisis, outdated technology, political instability and

miscommunication. Most of the respondents had given their views based on their respective areas of expertise

that concluded the major challenge that will take longer time to overcome is financial crisis. It was also suggested

that the improvement of technology may enhance surveillance system and therefore, reducing the rate of

poaching with tight monitoring.

5.1 Limitation of Research

This study contributes comprehensive reviews on the potential obstacles in the development of national parks in

Zimbabwe; however, it may not be generalized in other areas and regions. This contribution of this study is

limited by a few issues whereby some of the respondents were no giving full cooperation in providing

information as some of them stated that they had no comment for some of the questions asked. This had restricted

the researcher to gain extensive information from relevant parties pertaining to the particular issues. Another

limitation was that the researcher was unable to interview the investors in the country as they could be one of the

contributors in the development of this country in terms of foreign exchange and economic crisis issues.

5.2 Contribution of Research

5.2.1 National park authorities

Firstly this study contributes to the authorities of national parks in Zimbabwe by making the findings of this

study as a base for future references and research. It helps the national park authorities in knowing the issues that

the public is aware of and their idea on the issues in the national parks. Adding to this by also contributing to the

national parks authorities the researcher believes that the poaching crisis can be addressed better and this issues

can be investigated as according to the findings in the study the researcher identified that the issues can be

resolved once there is proper funding. This will also help in contributing to the growth of national parks giving

them the opportunity to improve and strengthen the parks.

5.2.2 Environmentalist

Secondly, the study can contribute to the environmentalist groups. The study aids the groups in finding ways they

can better their programs and tasks. At the moment the environmentalists have issues with local governments and

business group. This study contributes to the environmentalist in whom they can target certain areas without

causing any issues amongst the locals or the government. Furthermore, the study can be used also by the

government in analyzing details that they may have overlooked in the past. By doing this research the researcher

is able to show the agencies the ways they can improve the way in which they communicate certain aspects with

the local community and other agencies in the country.

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5.2.3 Education institutions

Lastly, universities and colleges in Zimbabwe may use the findings of this study to aid other students that are

doing similar scope of research.

5.3 Future research

As this study was an exploratory qualitative research on the potential obstacles faced by national parks in

Zimbabwe, the findings are limited to be only able to project comprehensive views from several parties namely,

the government agencies, NGOs, local community, media and special interest groups. Future research might be

carried out as the extension of this study in measuring the effectiveness of suggested solutions and other possible

proposals for the identified issues by involving investors as there was a restriction in gaining insights from

investor point of view for this study.

Table 1.1 Top Twenty Tourism Earners in Africa in 1997

Source: Peter U.C. and Dieke (2000), Developing Tourism in Africa, Policy for Consideration, Elmsford: New

York, Cognisant

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Table 1.2 Tourist Arrivals 2003-2011

Source: Paterson, J. (2011). Forecast paper Zimbabwe Statistics [online] Available at:www.economic.co.zw, last

accessed 12/02/2013

Figure 1.1 Annual Earnings

Source: Paterson, J. (2011). Forecast paper Zimbabwe Statistics [online] Available at:www.economic.co.zw, last

accessed 12/02/2013

http://www.economic.co.zw/


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Figure 1.2 Framework of Study

Source: Adapted and revised Chirgwin, S., and Hughes, K. (1997). Ecotourism: The participants „perceptions.

The Journal of Tourism Studies, 8(2), 2-7

Figure 1.3

Source: Chuma (2003). Regional Newspapers [online]Available at: www.bbc.co.uk, last accessed 12/05/2013

GOVERNMENT

AGENCIES

MEDIA

POTENTIAL OBSTACLES OF

NATIONAL PARKS IN

ZIMBABWE

LOCAL

COMMUNITY

ENVIRONMENTA

LISTS

SPECIAL

INTEREST

GROUP

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

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Figure 1.4 Data Analysis Flow Chart

Source: Richard Y. Wang, Henry B.Kon, and Stuart E.Madnick (1993)

Data Quality Requirement Analysis and Modeling, International Conference of Data Engineering, Vienna,

Austria

Data

Collection

Step 1:

Thematic

Analysis

Step 2: Data

Categorization

Step 3: Affinity

Group analysis

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REFERENCES

Chirgwin, S., and Hughes, K. (1997), Ecotourism: The participants „perceptions. The Journal of Tourism Studies,

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