Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

Chapter 7 - Conclusions
7.1. INTRODUCTION
This study has assessed the feasibility of the proposals for conservation and tourism
development in Shewula. In so doing, the study team has sought to determine the
extent to which the proposed tourism development, which was proposed to be
situated in the unofficially proclaimed 'Shewula Reserve", would be viable.
At present, there are a number of factors that are affecting the project. There are, in
particular, several constraints which are influencing the timeframe for planning,
construction and implementation, and operation of the project, and ultimately, also, its
long-term viability. The following discussion details the conclusions of the study, and
provides an assessment of the way in which the project has been undertaken to date
(the project planning process), the type of project envisaged (the • conceptualisation of
the development), and the project status for the interested and affected parties (the
community). This analysis also identifies the opportunities that could significantly
enhance the project in its various stages (planning, implementation, operation etc.),
and the threats, or problem areas that could seriously affect the viability of the project.
7.1.1. CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES / STRENGTHS
OF THE PROJECT
7.1.2. The Project Planning Process
7.1.2.1. Constraints arising from the project planning process
There are two key process-related constraints that have affected the viability of the
project to date, and may continue to do so if they are not addressed. These are:
1. Incomplete project planning and insufficient information for informed decisionmaking
2. Ineffective communication, lack of access to information and lack of
participatory planning
The process whereby the initial impetus for the project proposal was achieved, and
the subsequent actions which led to the allocation of funding from British Council is
flawed, because it took place without sufficient planning and strategic assessment of
the opportunities for development in Shewula. There have been (and still are)
constraints associated with the manner in which the above-mentioned funding was
obtained and the constraints that govern the project as a result of the funding
agreement. These include the lack of preparation time available for in-depth planning
before the project proposal was submitted and, as a consequence, deadlines which
were set and could not be met. The effects of the constraints arising from the planning
process are further discussed in the section dealing with 'Concept'.
Poor communication and consultation and the lack of access to information that have
been identified as problematic for the project refer specifically to circumstances
existing within the Shewula community, and these are therefore discussed in further
section 7.1.4. However, this also applies more generally to the project planning
process itself. The decision-making processes have taken place in isolation, without
significant input from sources of valuable information (such as marketing, business,
the local residents) and without adequate feedback being obtained from or given to
the relevant interested and affected parties. Should this situation continue, it could
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