The Impacts of Tourism Development at Domboshava National Monument

E. Woyo Lecturer in Charge

Harare Polytechnic Hotel [email protected]

A paper presented at the International Research Conference, 17 – 18 Jan 2013, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe,

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“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what

nobody else has thought”(Albert Szent-Gyorgyi 1893-1986)


Introduction and Overview of Zimbabwean Tourism Industry

Tourism Development Metrics Brief Description of the Monument Impacts of Tourism Development Challenges of Tourism Development Conclusions


Tourism is one of the major foreign exchange earners and main growth sector for many countries especially developing countries that are rich in natural and cultural resources.

The World Tourism market has grown at an average of 3.7 % over the past five years and is projected to grow by an average of 4.9% over the next five years, with Asia and the Pacific regions recording the fastest growth rate (WTO, 2012)


Tourism remains the fastest growing service industry in the economies of most developing countries including Zimbabwe; hence more research has gone into the operations of the sector in order to examine its economic significance and potential (Amstrong, 1974).

The Tourism industry provides an important impetus to growth in other sectors such as agriculture, transportation, retailing and manufacturing and is therefore seen as a key ingredient of economic development


Tourism industry in Zimbabwe has got potential for growth

Tourism currently employs approximately 300 000 people directly and indirectly (ZTA)



Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP) identified as economic recovery platform with tourism being one of the key economic drivers with potential to contribute to Zimbabwe’s turnaround

Inclusive government has brought about confidence in destination Zimbabwe



Tourism development can be measured in terms of : job creation by the tourism sector increased income, and also improvement in the availability of basic

services such as health, education and cultural opportunities, as well as in the reduction in levels of inequality (Roodt, 2001).


The rock art site of Domboshava is located 35 km from Harare and was declared a National Monument in 1936 – managed by National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.

The rock paintings are found in a rockshelter on the eastern base of an extensive and imposing granite hill.

The hill, located in the Chinamhora Communal Lands, commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country.



The one acre area encloses the rockshelter with the LSA paintings and archaeological deposits within the rockshelter as well as a geological tunnel which goes through the wall of the rockshelter, coming out as two "chimneys" on top of the hill.

Rainmaking ceremonies in periods of drought – ritual importance to the local Shona communities,

Ritual procedures involves the lighting of fires at the mouth of the tunnel, resulting in black smoke leaving its residue on the rock surface.


To explore and identify economic, environmental and sociocultural impacts of Tourism Development at Domboshava Monument from 2005 to 2010

A descriptive research design was used 17 semi structured interviews with local

stakeholders including site managers, community leaders and the results were coded and analysed

Case study research strategy HARARE POLYTECHNIC HOTEL SCHOOL - Your Choice in Training

The development of tourism at Domboshava National Monument has shown greater improvements in employment generation (direct and indirect) – tour guides, monument custodians, security officers, bar personnel, waiters, etc all from the local community

The generation of foreign exchange - Domboshava National Monument contributes about US$40 000 p.a.


Stimulating the creation of new business enterprises -Income Generation through curios, revival of craft industries, agro markets – poverty reduction

Infrastructural development – roads, electricity, piped water, boreholes and entertainment facilities (Carve Affair Bar), restaurant, the visitor centre

Increased interest in the cultural and heritage tourism


The Interpretive centre acts as a source of historical and ecological information – gives information of the history of the site, erosion, farming and conservation

Interpretive Centre


Contributing towards extra inward investment through the promotion of a positive image of an area

Improvement of general environment of a destination – amenity garden

Contribution to conservation of an area’s cultural heritage


Doxey (1975)’s Irridex Model of Tourist Irritation - Euphoria, Apathy, Irritation and eventually Antagonism as more and more tourist activity happens in their area.

Euphoria – Visitors are welcome , there are opportunities for local people, new money flows in but there is lack of planning

Apathy – visitors taken for granted as they become targets for profit making


Annoyance – saturation is approached, too many visitors, locals doubt tourism, planners develop more infrastructure

Antagonism – open irritation appears, tourism cheated, strong dislike of tourists, blames

Acceptance – change has appeared permanently, change is now accepted (Doxey, 1975)


Conflict with Society - the curio shop at Domboshava was set on fire and all its contents went up in smoke and the society sprayed paint on the rock art in an attempt to stop the tourism

Desecration of traditional values – access to sacred forests, uncontrolled access to sacred cave


The spirituality of Domboshava is

compromised Infrastructural development pressures around

the heritage site – more people want to preside too close or have business close by


• Sustainability - actively protecting, and supporting the environment for long-term benefit to all

• Growing tourism in a way that ensures that the benefits from growth are not short lived.

• Conserving Domboshava National Monument's environment and spirituality



Two key issues were identified and discussed: the benefits of tourism development; and costs of tourism development.

Analysis found that despite the limitation and development issues, the benefits of tourism development at Domboshava National Monument outweighed the costs accrued thereof


Tourism is a poverty reduction strategy - supports and improves local community economically and socially.

Participation of local communities in tourism development is essential to maximize the potential benefits of this sector, eliminate poverty and conserve nature - maintain the local culture and social structure of the native community



The Impacts of Tourism Development at Domboshava National Monument

Travel

growth tourism

world tourism market

monuments of zimbabwe

main growth sector

fastest growth ratewto

economic recoveryplatform

potential amstrong

rock paintings