Tourist guiding is an important subsector of the tourism sector. In South Africa, tourism forms an important contributor to the economy and accounts for a large portion of employment. Tourist guiding has been seen as a mechanism for upliftment due to the relative ease of entering the sector. Despite this, transformation within the subsector has been relatively slow, particularly for women and the youth. This is concerning as the highest rates of unemployment in South Africa are among the youth. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to examine the potential opportunities, challenges, and barriers to transformation within the tourist guiding subsector, with an emphasis on previously disadvantaged groups. The study adopted a mixed-method research design, to ensure a holistic and in-depth investigation into the research topic. Given the large population of guides in the country, registered in alignment with the Act (3 of 2014), a quantitative approach using surveys was adopted to gather information from tourist guides. A mix of purposive and snowball sampling was used in disseminating an online survey link to tourist guides. Furthermore, to increase the response rate, data was also collected directly at key tourism attractions in the various provinces. A total of 434 usable surveys were collected. In addition, a qualitative approach was used to gain a deeper understanding of challenges to transformation, as well as, importantly, opportunities for transformation from an administrative and practical perspective. This was carried out in the form of in-depth interviews conducted with the provincial registrars of tourist guiding, as well as representatives of various tourist guiding associations, resulting in a total of 12 interviews. Findings from the surveys indicated that the tourist guiding subsector in South Africa is dominated by Black men between the ages of 35 and 44, highlighting issues of participation among women and the youth as has been previously noted. Most tourist guides operate within the culture-guiding category rather than adventure and nature, while Gauteng was the most represented province in terms of area of operation. These results are supplemented by those from the qualitative aspect of the study, where key findings emphasised the key role that the national and provincial registrars play in the cohesiveness of the subsector; in the achievement of the professionalisation of tourist guiding, given their ability to advance key aspects of transformation, as well as ensure that practical measures can be realised. Furthermore, the findings also point towards significant challenges that are faced by all stakeholders within the subsector, including tourist guides, registrars and associations – all of which act as inhibitors to the achievement of transformation in the subsector. Some of these challenges relate to the qualification of tourist guides, particularly in terms of costs and upkeep, registration and professionalisation of the subsector; administrative burdens; fragmented communication between stakeholders inhibiting transformation of the subsector. Also noted were issues surrounding awareness of the sector and how to become a tourist guide, particularly among the youths. Whilst key stakeholders have faith in the ability of the sector to be transformed and become a platform for career development among previously disadvantaged groups, there are many hurdles that need to be overcome before this can be realised. Additionally, the findings indicate a passion and willingness among all stakeholders to work cohesively to both grow and transform the subsector, thus providing a positive outlook for the future of the tourist guiding. Show less

Tourist guiding is an important subsector of the tourism sector. In South Africa, tourism forms an important contributor to the economy and accounts for a large portion of employment. Tourist guiding has been seen as a mechanism for upliftment due to the relative ease of entering the sector. Despite this, transformation within Show more

This study explores the impact of electricity cuts on tourism, focusing on micro and small accommodation establishments in South Africa. Engaging with 331 entities—comprising 76% micro and 24% small accommodation enterprises—reveals that an overwhelming 97% encounter significant to moderate operational impacts due to electricity cuts. These impacts are primarily increased operational costs, reduced revenue, compromised safety and security of the establishments, with 27% reporting job cuts—not a desired consequence for a nation grappling with high unemployment rates. Despite adopting various alternative energy sources, including gas appliances, generators, and batteries and inverters (powered by either Eskom or solar energy), only 21% manage to sustain all in-room amenities during power outages. The findings suggest that generators, despite their drawbacks such as noise and pollution, in conjunction with other alternative energy sources, offer a reliable and higher intensity power source sufficient to maintain full operational capabilities during electricity cuts. The survey also discloses a notable turn towards renewable energy, mainly solar systems and inverters, within the last year among 33% of accommodation establishments, motivated by the intensifying frequency and severity of electricity cuts. While the growing inclination towards solar power installations is favorable for long-term energy solutions, the financial requirements to support full-scale operations pose a significant hurdle towards complete independence from the grid or alternate sources such as generators. Interestingly, domestic guests are the ones that demand uninterrupted services from accommodation establishments, no matter the size, with connectivity being their primary concern. The results highlight that over half of the micro and small businesses have self-financed their alternative energy infrastructures, suggesting challenges in accessing loans due to high interest rates and the diminutive scale of their operations. Over 60% of the survey population expressed unawareness of the Green Tourism Incentive Program (GTIP), with a mere 3% benefiting from its grants, indicating an awareness gap among micro establishments compared to their small counterparts. The results also suggest that there are more graded tourism establishments unaware of the GTIP than are aware, even though being graded is a key requirement for the GTIP grant. Another key element from the results is that electricity cuts significantly contribute towards food waste. Accommodation establishments are, however, adjusting reduce this waste by adapting cooking methods and changing menus. The study underscores the critical challenges and opportunities faced by South Africa's tourism small, medium, micro enterprises (SMMEs) amidst the electricity crisis. It advocates for strategic support mechanisms, improved awareness, and access to financial assistance to foster a sustainable and resilient tourism industry capable of navigating the complexities of energy shortages and contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and environmental conservation. Show less

This study explores the impact of electricity cuts on tourism, focusing on micro and small accommodation establishments in South Africa. Engaging with 331 entities—comprising 76% micro and 24% small accommodation enterprises—reveals that an overwhelming 97% encounter significant to moderate operational impacts due to Show more

This research study builds on the concept of the Indigenous Story Teller (IST) created and developed in two previous commissioned UP research reports. The IST was conceived of and considered as a unique opportunity to counter the exclusionist nature of tourist guiding regulations and as potential for the South African tourism market. This current research focuses on the mechanisms to recognise the IST and the ways in which this integration into the tourist guiding landscape can be actualised. The research promulgated three flexible scenarios in order to implement this integration with varying implications for the tourist guiding fraternity. These can be classified as the “Current”, “Viable” and “Ideal” scenarios. Besides the integration of the IST in various propositions, these scenarios will also have a profound impact on the profile and ambit of the tourist guide per se, leading to a more professionalized and enhanced positionality of the guide in the South African tourism domain. Moreover, it is argued that not only will the recognition of the IST enhance the South African tourism offering at so many levels, but ultimately also make the South African tourist guiding sub-sector an international pioneer as well as a world trendsetter in terms of the integration of the IST. Show less

This research study builds on the concept of the Indigenous Story Teller (IST) created and developed in two previous commissioned UP research reports. The IST was conceived of and considered as a unique opportunity to counter the exclusionist nature of tourist guiding regulations and as potential for the South African tourism Show more

The Department of Tourism is prioritising domestic tourism’s recovery. This is linked to the consensus that promoting domestic tourism is crucial to ensure that the sector recovers from the pandemic impacts on a pathway to sustainability and resilience to deal with future disruptions. This report extends the previous study to pilot and refine the Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework proposed, incorporating the Domestic Tourism Scheme as a key component. This report provides the context of the study, stipulating the aim, objectives and research questions. In relation to the rationale and purpose of the research, the piloting and refinement of the proposed Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework are critical to guide interventions and buy-in. Furthermore, the Framework is extended to include awareness and communication, training and skills development, and monitoring and evaluation components to support effective implementation and achieve intended impacts. The research methodology adopted during this Phase was a desktop approach (updating the literature) and qualitative component (key informant interviews and focus group discussions) to facilitate engagements with purposively selected (after undertaking stakeholder mapping) and key stakeholders on the Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework and Domestic Tourism Scheme. In total, 24 key informants and 4 focus groups completed. The proposed Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework is informed by the sustainable tourism development approach, linked to the ecosystem-based operational model that includes the drivers, pressures, state, impact and response (DPSIR) framework, which informs an examination of tourism that is based on a complex set of phenomena with multi-dimensional aspects and impacts. This approach was complemented by the Theory of Change approach during this Phase that promotes outcomes and results-based approaches to planning and development, focuses on evidence-based/ data-driven evaluation that demonstrates benefits and viability, enhances capacity development, enables partnerships and collaboration and is learning-orientated to improve future policies, plans and interventions. Several themes emerged from the literature review undertaken, including the importance of domestic tourism in South Africa and globally; trends and changes in domestic tourism travel behaviours; challenges faced in relation to finance, infrastructure, safety and security; the impacts of digital and technological advancements, and awareness levels. There was also consensus that domestic tourism was on a pathway to recovery, which needs to be supported/ incentivised. The importance of education and training as well as effective awareness and communication strategies were also highlighted. The main findings from the key informant interviews and focus group discussions were the importance of recognising the market profiles of domestic tourists and the general population in South Africa, especially in relation to the Domestic Tourism Scheme’s target groups. Several challenges were identified including financial, safety and security concerns, infrastructure and service provision, perceptions and knowledge of domestic tourism products and opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, marketing and promotion, pollution and litter/ grime, accessibility and discriminatory practices and COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions. Key opportunities were also identified, including diverse tourism products and experiences, domestic tourism incentives, demand, location and digital/ technological changes. Very few participants were aware of the Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework and Domestic Tourism Scheme, but there w generally high levels of support once they were made aware of these strategies. Several stakeholders were identified, including government, tourism industry associations, tourism businesses, major tourist attractions and local communities. The recovery and resilience of domestic tourism in South Africa require collaboration and cooperation among these stakeholders. The National Department of Tourism was deemed to be the lead coordinator/ champion. Several mediums of communication were identified, cautioning that targeted rather than generic approaches were required. Training and capacity development issues were also highlighted, with key areas identified, such as customer service, business support and sustainability aspects. The proposed Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework was supported by the key informants and focus group discussions. Thus, no major changes to the proposed Framework were undertaken, although aspects were updated based on the responses from stakeholders. The four steps to reignite domestic tourism demand in South Africa (re-evaluate, reconfigure, respond and stimulate domestic tourism demand) are retained, informed by the DPSIR approach. The Framework draws on the tourism recovery strategy by encouraging a phased approach to reignite the domestic sector. The focus on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and stimulating domestic tourism demand are highlighted. The Domestic Tourism and Awareness Framework draws from wide-ranging consultations with key stakeholders and provides guidance on how communication within the tourism sector can align with the government’s overall vision and core aims and objectives, most importantly, increasing its resilience and contribution to the country’s economy. The main aspects of the Framework are setting goals and identifying stakeholder roles, setting out guiding principles, identifying and understanding audiences, message design, targeting stakeholders using appropriate communication mediums, and identifying communication barriers and mitigation measures. The Framework should be used to develop a strategy and an associated implementation plan, including an embedded awareness campaign, a framework for monitoring and evaluation and recommendations for supporting actions. Six components for implementation are highlighted: setting goals and identifying roles (that is, establishing what the different groups involved need to do); identifying key audiences and understanding their needs/ preferences; developing key messages and testing these before using them at scale; identifying the most effective modes, methods and channels for communication of messages; and establishing ways to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the communications efforts inspired by the strategy. In terms of skills development and training, the development of a responsive and agile training and education system is advocated. It is proposed that the conceptualisation and implementation of domestic tourism and skills development should commence with a national skills audit to identify training needs, priority needs and training capacity. Various barriers to effective training were identified, including funding/ financial constraints, quality of training, logistical challenges and awareness of training opportunities that need to be addressed. Finally, the monitoring and evaluation indicator approach is presented, linked to the Theory of Change. The key components of this framework include championing (with the Department of Tourism identified as the main champion), communication, institutionalisation, embedding and actioning (which includes the identification of indicators in specific categories). The specific indicator categories were domestic tourists, economic impacts/ job creation, domestic tourism products and services, projects/ programmes to reignite domestic tourism, the Domestic Tourism Scheme, safety and security, funding/ investment, training, media and communication monitoring (assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of the awareness and communication approaches adopted), sustainability, organisational support, and development and implementation of sustainable domestic tourism policies/ strategies, frameworks and guidelines by tourism authorities and local governments. Show less

The Department of Tourism is prioritising domestic tourism’s recovery. This is linked to the consensus that promoting domestic tourism is crucial to ensure that the sector recovers from the pandemic impacts on a pathway to sustainability and resilience to deal with future disruptions. This report extends the previous study to Show more

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the susceptibility of the global tourism industry to the negative impact of health-related crises on international mobility and tourism demand. Moreover, in the ‘proverbial’ post-COVID-19 era, South Africa’s tourism industry is prone to the effects of various internal and external shocks. These include the conflict in Ukraine - and the subsequent energy and financial crises in South Africa’s major European tourist source markets, the global financial constraints associated with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and more pertinently localised crises such as floods in various provinces, the ongoing energy crisis, and increasing safety and security concerns. As part of the Department of Tourism’s research panel, NWU’s tourism research unit, TREES, and the University of Venda conducted a research study to develop a reflexive demand-oriented tourism resilience model. The model does two things, and thus it can be seen as a two-phased model. First, it uses tourism expenditure data before and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic to assess if the tourism economy is bouncing back in ways demonstrating resilience. Second, it monitors domestic tourists' responsive travel behaviour and choices during and post-crises. The second phase investigates tourists’ travel behaviour for the international and domestic markets, leading to the International - Tourism Resilience Model (I-TRM) and the Domestic - Tourism Resilience Model (D-TRM). Probably the first of their kind, the models monitor and evaluate tourism indicators and their impact on travel behaviour, highlighting tourists’ travel preferences, risk-responsive behaviour, response to the crisis and post-crisis marketing communications, as well as profile aspects such as spending patterns – critical information to rebuilding and future-proofing the industry to become more resilient. This research and the models will enable the South African tourism industry to better understand domestic and international tourists amid crises and aid in tourism product development, as well as services and marketing innovation that sustainably boost inbound and local travel. Show less

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the susceptibility of the global tourism industry to the negative impact of health-related crises on international mobility and tourism demand. Moreover, in the ‘proverbial’ post-COVID-19 era, South Africa’s tourism industry is prone to the effects of various internal and external shocks. Show more

The Department of Tourism is prioritising domestic tourism’s recovery. This is linked to the consensus that promoting domestic tourism is crucial to ensure that the sector recovers from the pandemic impacts on a pathway to sustainability and resilience to deal with future disruptions. This report extends the previous study to pilot and refine the Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework proposed, incorporating the Domestic Tourism Scheme as a key component. This report provides the context of the study, stipulating the aim, objectives and research questions. In relation to the rationale and purpose of the research, the piloting and refinement of the proposed Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework are critical to guide interventions and buy-in. Furthermore, the Framework is extended to include awareness and communication, training and skills development, and monitoring and evaluation components to support effective implementation and achieve intended impacts. The research methodology adopted during this Phase was a desktop approach (updating the literature) and qualitative component (key informant interviews and focus group discussions) to facilitate engagements with purposively selected (after undertaking stakeholder mapping) and key stakeholders on the Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework and Domestic Tourism Scheme. In total, 24 key informants and 4 focus groups completed. The proposed Domestic Tourism Recovery Framework is informed by the sustainable tourism development approach, linked to the ecosystem-based operational model that includes the drivers, pressures, state, impact and response (DPSIR) framework, which informs an examination of tourism that is based on a complex set of phenomena with multi-dimensional aspects and impacts. This approach was complemented by the Theory of Change approach during this Phase that promotes outcomes and results-based approaches to planning and development, focuses on evidence-based/ data-driven evaluation that demonstrates benefits and viability, enhances capacity development, enables partnerships and collaboration and is learning-orientated to improve future policies, plans and interventions. Several themes emerged from the literature review undertaken, including the importance of domestic tourism in South Africa and globally; trends and changes in domestic tourism travel behaviours; challenges faced in relation to finance, infrastructure, safety and security; the impacts of digital and technological advancements, and awareness levels. There was also consensus that domestic tourism was on a pathway to recovery, which needs to be supported/ incentivised. The importance of education and training as well as effective awareness and communication strategies were also highlighted. Show less

The Department of Tourism is prioritising domestic tourism’s recovery. This is linked to the consensus that promoting domestic tourism is crucial to ensure that the sector recovers from the pandemic impacts on a pathway to sustainability and resilience to deal with future disruptions. This report extends the previous study to Show more

The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused unprecedented socio-economic impacts and, at the same time, raised awareness of the role social and environmental sustainability needs to play in our everyday life and economic activities. Despite the significant negative impacts of the pandemic on tourism in South Africa, the crisis provides an opportunity to transform value chains towards responsible consumption and production needed for a sustainable and inclusive recovery of the sector. Rural tourism is ideally placed to respond to this. With our unique, diverse and unspoilt rural areas there are a wealth of opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises to grow and develop sustainable tourism products in rural contexts. However, in doing so, tourism growth in rural areas needs to be decoupled from the depletion of natural resources and contribute towards livelihoods and wellbeing of communities through the growth of local economies. Within the rural tourism sector, local economic development and environmental protection should not be seen as opposing forces—they should be pursued together as aspirations that can and should be mutually reinforcing. The purpose of this study was to systematically gain an understanding of the rural tourism value chain to identify transformation opportunities for a sustainable, resource efficient and inclusive growth path post COVID-19. The study involved mapping the rural tourism value chain by identifying all the economic activities and the associated tourism enterprise service providers that lead to value creation. Further to this, the interconnected value creation relationships between the varies rural tourism activities were identified followed by the interconnected relationships that lead to socio-economic value and environmental concerns. This whole value chain analysis provided an understanding of how value is pervasive throughout the rural tourism value chain specifically the implications of this value on rural communities and the environment. Lifecycle inventories that investigated the components of each value creating rural tourism activity, enabled the identification of all the social and environmental aspects of the services provided by the rural tourism service providers. Secondary data was then used to identify hotspots (priority areas) in the value chain specifically in terms of resource use, emissions and effluents, and solid waste. The hotspots on the rural tourism value chain include: greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from vehicles travelling to and around rural areas; use of energy in rural tourism products; sourcing of food and beverage; food waste; lack of capacity in waste infrastructure to deal with solid and hazardous waste; water use; and unsustainable harvesting of natural resources. Strategic interventions that support the sustainable transition of these hotspots were determined. These interventions include aspects promoting efficient use of natural resources, SMME development and inclusivity. The strategic interventions which include short, medium and long-term priorities will need to be developed into a transition framework for action. Show less

The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused unprecedented socio-economic impacts and, at the same time, raised awareness of the role social and environmental sustainability needs to play in our everyday life and economic activities. Despite the significant negative impacts of the pandemic on tourism in South Africa, the crisis Show more

Tourism is widely considered to be a viable vector for sustainable socio-economic development on the African continent due to the integrative nature of its value chain (forward and backward linkages with suppliers and service providers), as well as economic multiplier effect (tourism receipts, export products, employment creation, local economic development) (Matiza & Slabbert, 2019). However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced moratorium on domestic and international travel, tourism demand decreased significantly. The tourism industry received no income or visitors for several months, negatively influencing the value chain and labour market. It is true that a number of strategies were implemented to curb the effect of restrictions on the travel and tourism industry, such as pivoting from international to domestic tourism, allowing limited travel, providing support to the industry, etc. However, these strategies cannot guarantee a quick and complete recovery of the tourism industry. Added to this, the continuous uncertainty about the management of such a pandemic demands a future view of how to ensure that the South African tourism industry does not face the same challenges and is more prepared to ensure the sustainability and resilience of this industry. Based on a mixed-method approach, both the supply (qualitative research) and demand (quantitative research) sides of the industry were reviewed in the development of a resilience model for the tourism industry where specific actions and reactions of government, industry role players, and tourists guide the resuscitation of the industry. A two-phased model resulting from the research will yield immediate results that will direct the decisions taken by the government and the industry. Show less

Tourism is widely considered to be a viable vector for sustainable socio-economic development on the African continent due to the integrative nature of its value chain (forward and backward linkages with suppliers and service providers), as well as economic multiplier effect (tourism receipts, export products, employment Show more

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the global tourism industry. Evidence indicates that the recovery will need to be both different and innovative, especially from a product (supply) point of view given the renewed attempts to increase tourists (demand) to destinations. This research report argues that the pandemic has inevitably become the catalyst to compel the tourism domain to reconsider, redefine, reimagine, reignite and reinvigorate the sector in ways that have not been conceived of before. In essence, this amounts to what we term the “remodelling” – in other words radically and fundamentally changing and altering – tourism. From a practical point of view, there is a general consensus globally that the “restarting” of tourism within this prevailing environment needs to turn to the local domestic tourism domain as the starting point. In order to elevate domestic tourism it is argued that the focus needs to be on the product (supply). The key concern of this research report is therefore to devise a manner in which the product within the context of the domestic tourism market in South Africa can be remodelled within a COVID-19 environment. This study focuses on a novel approach to the actual product within the local domestic domain. This remodelling honed in on encouraging and stimulating the development of a tourism product that takes into account other dimensions and aspects that were not conventionally regarded as part of the tourism offering. By focussing on the product, this research argues that you can remodel the supply in order to have a knock-on effect in terms of demand at a local or domestic level in order to resuscitate tourism. It is within this South African domestic tourism ambit that Show less

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the global tourism industry. Evidence indicates that the recovery will need to be both different and innovative, especially from a product (supply) point of view given the renewed attempts to increase tourists (demand) to destinations. This research report argues that Show more

The study focused on enabling small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) survival and growth during and post the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has had devastating impacts on SMMEs that have high levels of vulnerabilities associated with the lack of resources and capacity to respond to disruptions. SMMEs are deemed to be critical to driving entrepreneurship and innovation, economic development and job creation. Supporting tourism SMMEs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is not only important for socio-economic development, but is central to ensuring that the tourism sector is on pathways to recovery, sustainability and future resiliency. The theoretical/ conceptual framework (specifically stakeholder, post-structuralist and diffusion theories linked to technology acceptance models) that informs the research reflects the multi-disciplinary and inter-sectorial orientation. A desktop study informed the research that focused on key thematic areas: contextualising the importance of tourism and tourism SMMEs specifically, tourism SMMEs and the COVID-19 pandemic context and trends, the role of tourism SMMEs generally and in South Africa specifically, COVID-19 impacts on SMMEs, and government and tourism SMME responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods approach was adopted using both quantitative (404 SMME surveys) and qualitative (12 key informant interviews) methods. The main findings indicate that tourism SMME differ considerably in relation to the location operating from, turnover, the status of the business in terms of formality, number of employees, number of years in operation and activities involved in. Most SMMEs experienced severe turnover and staff losses associated with the pandemic (and in the case of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal compounded by the social unrest as well). Restrictions on travel, social interactions and consumption (including alcohol bans) were key reasons that impacts on demand and thereby the revenues of SMMEs. The most vulnerable businesses in relation to COVID-19 pandemic impacts were micro enterprises since they have limited resources and opportunities to access support. The results suggest that tourism SMMEs are on a recovery pathway. However, some SMMEs will not recover while others are likely to take a longer time to be fully operational. Different and multiple types of SMMEs were adopting a range of tools and measures to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic that included employee changes, business/ organisational adjustments and financial changes. Accessing government and other external support was limited. Small and medium businesses located in urban areas were more likely to be aware of and access external support. This study proposes a tourism SMME recovery framework that uses Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts and Reponses (DSPIR) model, an awareness campaign and training framework, and the Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Ecological and Legal (PESTEL) model. A key recommendation is improvements in the conceptualisation, administration and implementation of financial support provided. Recommendations for implementation are also suggested and include coordination, activity management, knowledge management, resource management, and monitoring and evaluation. Show less

The study focused on enabling small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) survival and growth during and post the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has had devastating impacts on SMMEs that have high levels of vulnerabilities associated with the lack of resources and capacity to respond to disruptions. SMMEs Show more