Neoliberal conservation and protected area based tourism development in Malawi: the case of Majete Wildlife Reserve
Neoliberal conservation and protected area based tourism development in Malawi: the case of Majete Wildlife Reserve

Summary/Abstract: Proponents of neoliberal conservation approaches continue to paint a rosy picture of the adopted approaches but what has been achieved in some places is not as good as promised. Therefore, more investigations into neoliberalisation of nature are necessary. This paper assesses the contribution of tourism development to biodiversity conservation and how local communities are involved in protected area tourism. The views of local people, tourism operators, protected area management agencies, government departments and non governmental organizations were investigated through a qualitative study. Data was collected through in depth interviews, focus group discussions and document review, and thematically analyzed. The findings reveal that Majete Wildlife Reserve, which was a paper park in 2003, has been rehabilitated and is thriving with wildlife. Tourism infrastructure, which was non existent, has been developed providing income for biodiversity conservation and sustainable community development. Local communities have started sharing in tourism benefits and functional community participation has been achieved.

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