The Other Side of the Ecotourism Coin: Consumptive Tourism in Southern Africa

Over the 20th century, wildlife-based tourism has experienced significant growth, with increasing emphasis placed on ecotourism as one of the most beneficial forms of sustainable tourism. A widely accepted argument is that ecotourism is a non-consumptive practice far better received than those consumptive forms, such as sport or trophy hunting tourism. This paper discusses aspects of perception, consumption and conservation of wildlife in relation to the North–South divide and the controversial issue of sport and trophy hunting tourism. By presenting results of research conducted in Namibia and Botswana, this paper presents a provocative argument that ecotourism embraces forms of consumptive tourism, which can prove to be beneficial to the economy, the environment and local communities.