Ecotourism is renowned for its potential to provide benefits to local communities while
sustaining the natural and cultural resources upon which it depends. Transfrontier protected area
resource conservation has gained momentum as a vehicle for achieving a wide range of goals,
including but not limited to improved co-management and benefits to adjacent local
communities. Research shows that achieving the goals of stakeholder support for communitybased
ecotourism and the conservation of Transboundary Parks requires an understanding of
stakeholders’ perceptions and attitudes. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that
influence stakeholders’ support for community-based ecotourism development and for
conservation of KTP (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) as a Transfrontier area. Stakeholder theory
was used as a foundation for this mixed methods study. Two stakeholder groups, residents and
the public sector were identified. Over 700 surveys were administered to local communities
adjacent to KTP, while 13 face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted among
representatives from the public sector stakeholder group. Results revealed factors that were
likely to influence residents’ support for CBE (Community-Based Ecotourism) development as
well as predictors of support for KTP as a Transfrontier Park. Stakeholder groups generally held
16
positive perceptions about ecotourism and expressed strong support for community-based
ecotourism development in the Kalahari region. Stakeholders also demonstrated proconservation
behavior and strong support for KTP as a Transboundary area. However, interviews
with the local public sector officials uncovered differences in understanding of the issues
surrounding KTP.
Thus, the theoretical contribution of this study involves the integration of ideas and
opinions from two different stakeholder groups in the specific case of transboundary
developments. The findings demonstrated the value of stakeholder theory in soliciting
perceptions from two different interested groups in a politically sensitive case.
Improved collaboration, communication, transparency and accountability with regards to
KTP as a shared resource are highly recommended. Capacity building and formal training among
residents and local leaders is needed in order to increase their understanding of management of
shared resources, and to enable them to initiate and run CBE ventures.