Heritage tourism as a catalyst for local economic development: Challenges and opportunities in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, South Africa

Background: Heritage tourism (HT) is increasingly recognised globally as a catalyst for economic growth, particularly in regions endowed with rich historical and cultural assets. Both developed and developing countries leverage HT to stimulate local economic development (LED), especially in rural and historically marginalised areas. In South Africa, HT is viewed as a key tool for promoting inclusive growth, rural revitalisation and social redress. Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality (RMLM) in the Eastern Cape province possesses diverse tangible and intangible heritage resources, including anti-colonial war sites, indigenous knowledge systems and culturally significant landscapes. Despite these endowments, the municipality faces persistent socio-economic challenges – such as poverty, high unemployment, youth marginalisation and underinvestment – while its heritage assets remain largely untapped, limiting their potential to generate meaningful local benefits. Aim: This study examined factors constraining the effectiveness of HT in promoting LED in RMLM. Setting: The study was conducted in the RMLM, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method: A purposive sample of 30 participants was engaged through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Results: Findings reveal that HT is underdeveloped and underutilised, because of limited outreach and promotional initiatives, inadequate municipal support, insufficient infrastructure and low public awareness. These barriers collectively hinder the sector’s capacity to contribute to local economic growth. Conclusion: The study concludes that strategic planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for unlocking the transformative potential of HT. Contribution: Strengthening coordination between local and district municipalities, expanding outreach and fostering active stakeholder engagement are recommended to enhance HT’s contribution to inclusive LED in RMLM.