Route Tourism Planning, Local Impacts and Challenges: Stakeholder Perspectives from the Panorama Route, South Africa

The growth of applied route tourism initiatives is a worldwide phenomenon. South Africa major focus for planning which part broader place-based development initiatives. This paper examines the perceptions key stakeholders concerning planning, local impacts and challenges Panorama Route located in Africa’s Mpumalanga province. findings are analysed from 63 qualitative interviews undertaken 2022 stakeholder about workings this initiative. Stakeholders include government private sector formal as well informal businesses. Differences common themes were observed across these groups. On many issues (both provincial local) was viewed ‘problem’ rather than provider solutions. Major criticism pointed at inadequacies service provision – especially water electricity poor state road maintenance. uneven geographical highlighted. Stakeholder perception research discloses complexities planning.