The role of tourism employment in poverty reduction and community perceptions of conservation and tourism in southern Africa

The study assesses the role played by high-end ecotourism at study sites in Malawi, Botswana and Namibia.

Analysis of dependency ratios, household income and social welfare impacts in the study indicate that rural communities are moving towards a heavier reliance on the market economy in the form of ecotourism operations. Analysis of the impact of employment on an appreciation of conservation and tourism also shows a positive relationship, though education was shown to play an even greater role.