1. Commercialisation

Eco-tourism is a trend towards commercialisation of tourism throughout the nation. This trend has become one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism industry growing annually 10-1.5 per cent worldwide. Many of the eco-tourism projects are, however, not meeting these standards. Even if some of the guidelines are being executed, the local communities are still facing other negative impacts. For example, South Africa is reaping significant economic benefits from eco- tourism, but negative effects including physical displacement of persons, gross violation of fundamental rights, and environmental hazards far out weight the medium-term economic benefits.