Few benefits from the flourishing local tourism industry reach the people of Nkqubela township. Most self-drive visitors and organised tour groups simply drive past Nkqubela scarcely noticing the diverse vibrancy of the stable, densely populated community. The fault is not the passing visitor’s but the fact that there is nothing attracting and encouraging them to engage with the community of Nkqubela. However, strategic tourism development planning and innovative thinking can change this inadequate situation to one of sustainable long-term tourism benefit for the Nkqubela community.