Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life. The concept is based on a business organization’s configuration of social responsibility principles, social responsiveness processes, policies, programs, and observable outcomes relating to the firm’s societal relationships. In South Africa, private tourism businesses face the challenge of establishing a business environment where their positive impacts on local communities and employees are maximized. This thesis discusses the role of CSR in poverty alleviation and its significance in uplifting rural livelihoods. A mixed-methods approach was used for data collection and analysis. Purposive sampling was used to identify and target key informants, who held positions in the community, government and eco-tourism businesses. Out of the 750 individuals in the target population distributed across KwaZulu-Natal, around 23% participated in the study, resulting in a total of 183 participants. Of these, 33 key informants participated in in-depth interviews. The results show that the relationship between tourism and society is complex, and all the pro-poor needs are unlikely to be met through CSR alone. Therefore, tourism organizations should adopt green practices in procuring tourism products and services. In addition, community upliftment and development should form the fabric of environmental conservation in eco-lodge business operations. The research concludes that addressing poverty alleviation through CSR is complex and inconclusive since the role of an eco-lodge business in social development remains a contested issue, with emerging patterns of different and dynamic factors affecting eco-lodge business operations.
Keywords: ecotourism, eco-lodge, sustainable development, responsible tourism, corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, green practices