Abstract:

Rural tourism is the planned use of resources of country areas that will lead to an increase in the general welfare of the environment, the community, as well as visitors Gilbert, 1992 (quoted by Richard & Sharpley 1997:4)). OECD 1994 (quoted by Saarinen et al 2009:  concurs that the distinguishing feature of rural tourism is to give visitors personalized contact, a taste of the physical and human environment of the countryside, and as far as possible, allow them to participate in the activities, traditions and lifestyles of local people.Howie (2003:114) agrees with Gilbert (1992) stating that rural tourism could be described as 'tourism that takes place in rural areas' and that this is an accepted understanding within the European community. Lubbe (2003:90) suggests that in Africa, rural tourism tends to constitute visits to local rural communities. The same author continues to state that ‘rural’ areas defined themselves with respect to the presence of particular types of problems, and that there existed common economic, social and political structures in both urban and rural areas. This paper examines the economic and environmental impact  of rural tourism in Swaziland.