Abstract
In Hartbeespoort, where water is a key drawcard for visitors, the Dam’s water quality issues directly influence tourism-related businesses and, by extension, the local economy. Water quality in the Hartbeespoort Dam plays a significant role in the operation of tourism businesses and has a substantial impact on the local economy, particularly in a destination where the dam itself serves as a vital natural resource and a high-value tourist attraction. It has the potential to bring about several advantages for the region. Primarily, water quality plays a crucial role in contributing to the socio-economic development growth of the local area. This study analysed the impacts of poor water quality in the Hartbeespoort Dam on the local tourism economy. The study used a qualitative research method to analyse the perceptions of water quality in local tourism businesses. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposefully selected stakeholders (n=28). These stakeholders were targeted due to their knowledge, experience, and involvement, especially in the operation of tourism businesses. Findings highlighted that there is a definitive decline in the water quality of the Dam, resulting in hyacinth blooms and general nonfunction. This has consequent impacts for businesses, many of whom have had to implement water-saving strategies such as purchasing water and using water-saving equipment, as well as using boreholes and water tanks. However, challenges indicated that need to be addressed to enable the strategies to be implemented, these include accountability, (lack of) funding, and community/stakeholder involvement in monitoring the dam, as well as poor collaborations between businesses and the municipality. Subsequently, recommendations were formulated based on the study's findings that to control the water hyacinth successfully, the entire catchment should be considered, and key stakeholders in the greater catchment’s region need to be engaged in efforts to address the control of water hyacinth, as well as other causes of water pollution in the Dam. The polluter-pay principle should be implemented, which can be effectively and sustainably used for better contribution to Local Economic Development (LED).