Land suitability zoning for ecotourism planning and development of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana

Today ecotourism attracts tourists all over the world, and particularly those interested in visiting the fragile and intact natural environments or specially designated areas with high level of such potential. In most of the cases this type of tourism is often referred as an alternative to mass tourism. The main objective of this paper was to discuss applications of GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). These two techniques were applied in order to assist preparation of the Tourism Management Plan, depicting the most suitable zones for ecotourism development in the Dikgathlong Dam area as one of the largest resources of potable water in Botswana. The MCDA was based on geo-morphometric, hydrologic, landscape and community indicators and criteria which emanated from expert's opinions, intensive field study and literature review. In addition the AHP helped to calculate individual criteria weights and to point the degree of suitability zones classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for ecotourism. After performing both processes and establishing broad management zones it has been found that the Suitable Development Scenario, is the most appropriate option as the future ecotourism development proposal.