This study examines barriers to and opportunities for the growth and development of the tourist guiding subsector, specifically focusing on gendered perspectives and their role in building inclusive resilience in the tourism sector. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from tourist guides (n=434), while descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to examine the gendered differences in tourist guiding. The study revealed gendered disparities in barriers to training and qualification accessibility, regulatory ease and enforcement, tourist-guiding qualification processing, database development, and subsector transformation efforts among tourist guides. Despite revealing obstacles, the study highlighted emerging access to resilience opportunities. Recommendations include implementing training programmes tailored to women’s needs and advocating for policy changes that enhance inclusivity, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and diverse tourism sector. The study contributes to the literature on gendered perspectives and has a societal impact on the empowerment of marginalised groups. Show less

This study examines barriers to and opportunities for the growth and development of the tourist guiding subsector, specifically focusing on gendered perspectives and their role in building inclusive resilience in the tourism sector. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from tourist guides (n=434), while Show more

As visa regimes evolve worldwide, South Africa must proactively assess and benchmark its own visa policies to understand their impact on overall tourism demand. This is particularly important considering that visa applications and processing can create an administrative burden and financial costs for potential tourists. To enhance the competitiveness of South Africa as a tourism destination, it is crucial to align with global best practices. This includes being responsive to changes in global immigration policies and leveraging technological advancements to streamline visa processes. Additionally, there is a clear need for tailored visa regimes for individual countries, influenced by public diplomacy and other aspects of international relations. Therefore, data-driven policy decisions are essential. It is essential to further assess the potential impact of South Africa's visa policy on tourism demand, particularly when considering the expansion of tourism source markets through enhanced accessibility to key markets. Show less

As visa regimes evolve worldwide, South Africa must proactively assess and benchmark its own visa policies to understand their impact on overall tourism demand. This is particularly important considering that visa applications and processing can create an administrative burden and financial costs for potential tourists. To Show more

The tourism sector is a vital contributor to South Africa’s economy, driving job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and local development. Niche tourism, encompassing specialised segments such as adventure, cultural, rural, and eco-tourism, is an essential component of this sector, offering unique opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth. Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are central to this niche, delivering distinctive products and services that enhance the diversity and competitiveness of the tourism landscape. However, as digitalisation reshapes the global tourism industry, the adoption of digital technologies by niche tourism SMMEs in South Africa remains uneven, with significant barriers hindering their ability to fully leverage its benefits. This research focused on exploring the digital technology adoption landscape of niche tourism SMMEs in South Africa. It aimed to identify the key enablers and barriers influencing digital transformation within this sector. The study also examined the role of digitalisation in fostering innovation, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing market access, ultimately contributing to the growth, resilience, and sustainability of tourism SMMEs. Show less

The tourism sector is a vital contributor to South Africa’s economy, driving job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and local development. Niche tourism, encompassing specialised segments such as adventure, cultural, rural, and eco-tourism, is an essential component of this sector, offering unique opportunities for Show more

This research study set out to consider the state of community-based tourism (CBT) and to propose solutions to optimize it in a sustainable manner within the South African tourism context. Since its inception in the 1970s, CBT has been heralded as a “panacea” for the economic upliftment of marginalised and disadvantaged communities the world over. In most cases it has been heralded as having numerous benefits and opportunities for communities that are open to participating in this form of tourism by empowering and uplifting them as active participants within the tourism domain. Essentially the objective of CBT was to ensure that the benefits of tourism remain within the said communities as participatory role players, but at the same time has the effect of preserving and sustaining their cultural heritages and environs for the next generation. As such, CBT has the potential to comply with two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1, “No poverty” and SDG 8 “Decent work and economic growth”. In the context of CBT, both at a global and local level, there is a recognition of the limitations of what has often been regarded as a “cure-all” for poverty within underprivileged communities. Its success has been questioned, as has its changing nature in different contexts. This notion of CBT as a “fix-all” has been revisited, not only within the context of CBT, but more broadly in the tourism domain. The twenty-first century has witnessed an increase in critical academic scrutiny of what tourism entails and what its impacts are (or rather should be). While the positives regarding the impact of tourism are acknowledged, the negatives have been increasingly highlighted. This tendency has spilled over into the public domain where resistance against tourists and tourism is on the rise which has led to a cautionary, if not ambivalent, approach to the touristic space. It is in this current context and within the context of the reevaluation of CBT that this study positions itself. Within the South African context, it also took cognisance of the realization that CBT has not always been practiced or engaged with in an optimal manner – hence the rationale to suggest solutions to “optimize” the CBT domain. Show less

This research study set out to consider the state of community-based tourism (CBT) and to propose solutions to optimize it in a sustainable manner within the South African tourism context. Since its inception in the 1970s, CBT has been heralded as a “panacea” for the economic upliftment of marginalised and disadvantaged Show more

Tourism is widely recognised as a key driver of economic growth, employment, and social development in South Africa. However, the sector’s full potential remains underutilised due to persistent challenges such as fragmentation, weak coordination, infrastructure deficiencies, and limited evidence-based understanding of how the tourism supply value chain functions. This study, led by the CSIR, represents the first comprehensive mapping and systems analysis of South Africa’s tourism supply value chain. It reconceptualises tourism not as a collection of isolated sectors, but as a dynamic, interconnected system of sub-sectors, stakeholders, and contextual factors that collectively generate value. The research addresses a major knowledge gap by identifying the structures, interdependencies, and behavioural dynamics that underpin value creation within the tourism system. Specifically, it identifies the key sub-sectors that comprise the value chain, the products and services within each, the stakeholders involved, and the relationships that link them. In doing so, the study provides a holistic picture of how tourism functions as a complex adaptive system that underpins South Africa’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable development. Show less

Tourism is widely recognised as a key driver of economic growth, employment, and social development in South Africa. However, the sector’s full potential remains underutilised due to persistent challenges such as fragmentation, weak coordination, infrastructure deficiencies, and limited evidence-based understanding of how Show more

Tourism is a vital economic sector in South Africa, as it has the potential to create job opportunities and offer long-term prospects for accelerating GDP growth and fostering an inclusive economy. Tourism assets can be natural, cultural, or any resource that attracts tourists or is a tourism product in a potential site or existing destination. Tourism assets refer to the existing tourism resources within the knowledge of the community. The country has at its disposal several state-owned assets that play a significant role in the economy. Natural and cultural tourism is based on the management and operation of goods as a form of heritage tourism. The need for positive outcomes has generated a growing emphasis on identifying key success factors. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the management, maintenance, and sustainability of state-owned tourism assets in South Africa. The study employed a mixed-methods approach as a research strategy to combine and integrate both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (descriptive) data within a single study, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the complex research problem than either approach alone could offer. This methodology is rooted in pragmatism, allowing researchers flexibility to address diverse aspects of a research question by leveraging the strengths of both data types for a broader and deeper perspective. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with stakeholders concerning the management, maintenance and sustainability of state-owned tourism assets. The questionnaires were researcher-administered, targeting tourists to ensure a high return rate. The results show that the management and maintenance of state assets must address the need for continuous improvement as well as an interdisciplinary and strategic business perspective. The research findings indicate that some local governments have a poor track record in directing the use of local assets to support tourism growth. However, most local governments are now striving to manage tourism assets optimally to achieve local economic development. Hence, some are considering various options for investing in Public-Private Partnerships or leasing some parts of these parks to private investors. Maintaining state assets is framed as critical for leveraging them to attract visitors and maximise tourism revenue. Degradation or neglect of facilities undermines perceived quality of the tourism product, potentially deterring visitors and investment. Monitoring and evaluation of the assets entail establishing metrics to track visitor numbers, repeat visitation, 2 dwell times at each site, and the economic impacts achieved in adjacent communities. Some Local Governments face a financial crisis, resulting in inconsistent maintenance of facilities. Show less

Tourism is a vital economic sector in South Africa, as it has the potential to create job opportunities and offer long-term prospects for accelerating GDP growth and fostering an inclusive economy. Tourism assets can be natural, cultural, or any resource that attracts tourists or is a tourism product in a potential site or Show more

Technological advancement and digitalisation within the tourism economy have become increasingly important cornerstones for the continued development and growth of the sector. However, despite the growing recognition of the importance of digitisation of SMMEs in the tourism sector, there are still obstacles to effectively implementing and leveraging digital technologies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. This results in tourism SMMEs not optimally serving the interests of tourists, thereby hindering the overall competitiveness of destinations. This study investigated the tourism SMME digital technology adoption landscape in South Africa and the potential innovation opportunities to enhance their development, growth, and sustainability. The study adopted a quantitative-dominant mixed-methods research design, following a three-stage approach to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the research phenomenon and to provide multiple perspectives on the digital landscapes of tourism SMMEs in South Africa and how to foster the digital transformation of these enterprises for sustained and resilient growth. Firstly, a systematic literature review was conducted to understand the tourism SMMEs’ technology adoption landscape. Secondly, a quantitative approach, using surveys, was used to gather data from registered tourism SMMEs in South Africa, specifically from the owners of tourism SMMEs across the provinces of the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape. These SMMEs were selected from the main tourism subsectors, including accommodation, attractions and activities, travel services, food and beverage services, and meetings, exhibitions, and special events. Lastly, a qualitative approach was employed during which semi-structured interviews were conducted with key personnel at government departments responsible for tourism SMMEs development and support. Multiple sampling techniques (stratified, purposive, and snowballing) were adopted for the quantitative and qualitative approaches. Findings from the systematic literature review revealed a growth in tourism SMMEs studies in terms of articles published and cited from 2005 to 2024, and the evolution of themes centres around digital transformation, innovation, digital marketing, and developing countries from 2015 to 2024. Findings from the surveys reveal that tourism SMMEs are dominated by micro enterprises and SMMEs that have been operating for more than 10 years, indicating long-established businesses. Show less

Technological advancement and digitalisation within the tourism economy have become increasingly important cornerstones for the continued development and growth of the sector. However, despite the growing recognition of the importance of digitisation of SMMEs in the tourism sector, there are still obstacles to Show more

The pursuit of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is considered a vital strategy for promoting sustainable development, empowering local communities, and preserving cultural and natural heritage in South Africa. A review of the call for proposals in the NDT tender documents on CBT theme indicates that the South African government has, over the years, implemented numerous projects designed to help communities generate income, create employment opportunities, and preserve cultural heritage. However, the transition of these projects into fully community-owned and community-driven enterprises has been limited. Many communities have shown minimal uptake in assuming responsibility for CBT initiatives once government involvement ends, leading to weak ownership structures and a lack of sustained interest. Although CBT holds considerable potential to foster sustainable development, promote local empowerment, and conserve cultural and natural resources, its effectiveness in South Africa remains constrained by a range of systemic challenges. These include manifestations of the ‘tragedy of the commons,’ limited marketing skills and entrepreneurial capacity within communities, and restricted access to both markets and financial resources. Moreover, a lack of genuine community buy-in often reinforces perceptions that they are ineffective or unsustainable. The persistence of these challenges raises critical questions about the structural and operational design of CBT projects in South Africa, the conditions under which they succeed or fail, and the extent to which existing models align with the needs, aspirations, and capabilities of local communities. In alignment with the foregoing context, the study adopted a qualitative research design to collect and analyse data. Two primary data collection methods were employed; first was the multi-stakeholder workshop, which facilitated collective dialogue and knowledge sharing among diverse actors involved in CBT projects; and second, key informant interviews, which complemented the multi-stakeholder workshop and provided in-depth insights from individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in CBT operations. Show less

The pursuit of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is considered a vital strategy for promoting sustainable development, empowering local communities, and preserving cultural and natural heritage in South Africa. A review of the call for proposals in the NDT tender documents on CBT theme indicates that the South African government Show more

Tourism is the South Africa's primary source of foreign exchange and the most significant contributor to its Gross Domestic Product. Over 10 000 people are employed in the tourism industry, not counting the indirect ancillary and support service occupations. This study sought to assess the potential of lake estuaries as catalysts for sustainable tourism development, with a specific focus on St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, by drawing on the Ecological Theoretical Framework and the Drivers Pressure State Impact Response Framework. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Appeal for the Sustainable Fishery-Based Tourism Framework examine the dynamics of socio-economic and environmental development and opportunities around lake estuaries. A qualitative approach was employed to unravel the organisational structures, the policy initiatives, as well as various outcomes based on the estuarine lakes being catalysts for sustainable tourism development. Data were analysed by using the NVivo and thematic analyses. The results revealed that the closure of the St Lucia estuary mouth poses a danger to the subsistence and commercial farming practices of the surrounding communities. However, the estuarine area itself offers many job opportunities, including the conservation of the flora and fauna. The study showed the challenges of sustainable tourism development and connected them with a theoretical framework, in order to support the objectives of the study. The study recommends that future research studies should focus on how to enhance the participation of local communities in the decision-making processes, conservation programme and tourism enterprises around estuarine lakes. Future studies should explore how local communities benefit from the Lake St Lucia estuary. Furthermore, the contribution of fishery co-operative companies to the sustainable development of tourism at St Lucia needs to be probed as well. Keywords: Sustainable tourism development, community participation, estuarine lakes Show less

Tourism is the South Africa's primary source of foreign exchange and the most significant contributor to its Gross Domestic Product. Over 10 000 people are employed in the tourism industry, not counting the indirect ancillary and support service occupations. This study sought to assess the potential of lake estuaries as Show more

The tourism industry makes a meaningful contribution to the South African economy, as it is regarded as an engine that creates job opportunities. In the last few decades, a variety of unfavourable events, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, pandemics and man-made hazards, like terrorism, have caused significant losses in tourism supply and demand globally. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has undergone major changes, and both the government and industry had to contribute to the economic recovery efforts. The study sought to unpack the role of government in the supply and demand of tourism in the aftermath of COVID-19 and in improving local tourism businesses in the South Beach area of Durban. The research study intended to analyse the approaches that were pursued and the relationships that exist between the provincial and local governments, as well as tourism businesses (the private sector). It further sought to assess the level of support given to local tourism businesses. A qualitative research method was employed in this study to investigate how the government works and to understand the private sector challenges with regard to supply and demand of tourism products and services. Eighteen research participants took part in the study. The results revealed that the South Beach tourism sector needs government involvement in order for it to be sustainable, and that it contributes immensely towards improving local economic development. In the final analysis, Durban’s South Beach has a long way to go, since the tourism industry in this area has been significantly affected by COVID-19. This has led to travel restrictions, reduced international visitor numbers and social disruptions in the tourism activities. Moreover, safety and security concerns, including the crime rate and perceived safety risks, can deter both domestic and international tourists from visiting South Africa. Economic challenges, such as currency fluctuations, inflation and unemployment, can impact consumer spending on travel and tourism, which affects the growth of the industry. Infrastructure deficiencies and insufficient infrastructure, which includes transportation networks, accommodation facilities and tourism attractions, can limit the capacity of industries to cater for the growing tourist demand. The study concludes that there is a growing need for the industry to address environmental sustainability and environmental concerns, such as climate change, wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism practices. This study has found that collaboration between the private sector and local government is essential for maintaining a balanced supply and demand in tourism and for ensuring the competitiveness of businesses in the South Beach area of Durban. Key words: tourism, supply, demand, government, businesses Show less

The tourism industry makes a meaningful contribution to the South African economy, as it is regarded as an engine that creates job opportunities. In the last few decades, a variety of unfavourable events, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, pandemics and man-made hazards, like terrorism, have caused significant losses in tourism Show more