Editor: David Fennell (Brock University)
Reviews Editor David Weaver (University of South California, USA)
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Volume: 3 Number: 2 Page: 129–146
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Temporal Trends in Ecotourism in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe
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Daniel M. Nzengy'a
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In this paper, temporal trends in the number of ecotourists visiting three protected areas in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, namely Nyanga and Chamanimani National Parks and Vumba Botanical Gardens, have been examined. Visitor statistics from 1980 to 2000 were analysed using the
SPSS statistical package time series analysis techniques to expose trends and seasonality. Results showed that there was an upward trend in the number of visitor arrivals, with some repeated cycles depicting seasonality. Mathematical predictions indicated that tourist arrivals were expected
to maintain a steady flow through the year 2005. The predictions are however unlikely since the number of domestic and foreign visitors to the study areas continued to decline beginning from 1998 to the present. The decline is as a result of the badly publicised government land reform programme,
the problems of foreign currency and hyperinflation. This does not bode well for the conservation of the protected areas because ecotourism is a major source of revenue.
Keywords: MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEMS, BIODIVERSITY, ECOTOURISM, RECREATION
© 2004 Channel View Publications
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