Diving tourism is a source of income in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and is vulnerable to changes that can lead to positive and negative disruptions. This study assessed the effect of complex change on diving tourism systems in Ponta do Ouro, Maputo National Park, Southern Mozambique. The COVID-19 pandemic, urban development, and governance transformations were analysed. A total of 71 stakeholders from the diving industry, businesses, park authorities, and community members were engaged in 2022 and 2023. Stakeholders shared similar perspectives and perceived changes as interconnected, resulting in negative and positive effects. While recognising the challenges faced by the diving tourism system due to complex change, this study confirmed its potential resilience through internal and external sources. The results demonstrated the importance of stakeholder engagement in planning resilience strategies for diving tourism systems, especially in small communities in LDCs, where a participatory approach could mitigate potential conflicts and benefit all.
Lucrezi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.