Negotiating livelihoods among Chivi curio traders in a depressed Zimbabwe tourism trading environment

Abstract

This study critically examines the interactions of some Chivi curio traders with Zimbabwe's depressed tourism trading environment. Findings indicated that curio trading made a marginal contribution to local livelihoods as a result of a slump in international tourism demand. Furthermore, the curio traders’ attempts to exploit the domestic tourism market were penalized by potential buyers’ low disposable incomes. It was established that the curio traders’ extreme household poverty and limited livelihood options compelled them to adopt a “survivalist” mindset. A conclusion is reached that without a radical improvement of a mix of endogenous and exogenous factors, curio trading is bound to remain a fringe activity in the study area.