Tourism and the environment in rural South Africa: Conflict, coexistence, or symbiosis?

The study aimed to explore the complex relationship between tourism and the environment by examining whether their interaction in rural South Africa results in conflict, coexistence, or symbiosis. Specifically, it investigated how tourism stakeholders perceive the environmental impacts of tourism activities in Nqileni Village, Eastern Cape province. Guided by an interpretive research paradigm, the study employed a qualitative case study approach and purposively selected 18 participants involved in tourism. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews and validated through triangulation and member checking. The findings revealed differing stakeholder views: while many saw tourism as beneficial and not harmful to the natural environment, others observed environmental degradation linked to tourism activities, such as off-road biking. The study concludes that tourism and the environment in rural areas can coexist both cooperatively and contentiously. The results highlight the importance of environmentally responsible tourism practices, community involvement, and sustainable management strategies. This research offers a unique contribution by contextualising the tourism–environment relationship in a rural South African setting and providing insights into local perceptions that inform sustainable tourism policies and practices.