Tourism and fracking in the northern Drakensberg area: emerging challenges for tourism sustainability

Tourism business owners in the Northern Drakensberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural richness, strongly oppose fracking due to anticipated negative impacts on sustainable tourism. The study highlights significant challenges posed by fracking, including poor public consultation, environmental degradation, and economic disruptions. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved education and awareness about fracking's potential benefits while addressing its risks. The research used an interpretive qualitative approach, gathering insights from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with seven tourism-related business owners in the area.

Dube-Xaba, Z. (2024). Tourism and fracking in the northern Drakensberg area: emerging challenges for tourism sustainability. Discover Sustainability, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00650-3