This study attempts to examine the relationship between archives, tourism and museums by positioning museums as a conduit between them. It takes a closer look at this triangular relationship by first considering the history and relationship between archives and museums. Secondly, it considers the relationship between museums and tourism and the recent trends that connect museums with tourism. Thirdly, it looks at how the development of archives is linked to museums and tourism to form this triangular relationship. It is argued that archives and tourism are set to become greater partners through museums. Museums and tourism are already connected through the history of their development, and therefore increased collaborative efforts between museums and archives in the fourth Industrial Revolution will lead to archives becoming more connected to the tourism sphere that museums are located in. The study uses Mapungubwe as an example of how the archive, museum and tourism sector share a triangular relationship. Show less

This study attempts to examine the relationship between archives, tourism and museums by positioning museums as a conduit between them. It takes a closer look at this triangular relationship by first considering the history and relationship between archives and museums. Secondly, it considers the relationship between museums Show more

Municipalities are at the lowest level of Government, and it is where the actual implementation of tourism policies takes place. District municipalities and communities globally often face poorly planned development projects resulting from inefficient and ineffective policy and planning implementation. One of the reasons for this is that there is, at times, a lack of participation by key stakeholders. The success of tourism development policies and their implementation rests on the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. This study adopted a qualitative research approach whereby purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to identify the research sample from the research population. The research population included the district municipality staff, regional and local tourism organisations, also known as tourism forums, tourism development agencies, and the rural planning and economic development departments. Consequently, fourteen (14) semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from the district municipality, local municipalities, tourism organisations and Eastern Cape Parks Tourism Agency. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyse the data. This study focused on stakeholder involvement in the development and implementation of tourism policies in the O.R Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM). The key findings from the study revealed that there is a lack of stakeholder collaboration in development and the implementation of tourism-related policies in ORTDM. Show less

Municipalities are at the lowest level of Government, and it is where the actual implementation of tourism policies takes place. District municipalities and communities globally often face poorly planned development projects resulting from inefficient and ineffective policy and planning implementation. One of the reasons Show more

Urban tourism has become an important sector within the global tourism industry as it is able to serve a range of tourists, satisfy their needs, and exceed their expectations. The urban environment usually is seen as “standing alone” with regards to the operational aspects of tourism, however, it has become increasingly recognised as an integral part of the tourist experience. With this in mind, the City of Cape Town has become an increasingly popular urban tourism destination on the African continent. The City of Cape Town’s unique geographical location and history has had a significant influence on its tourism industry and contributed to the development of various tourism sectors, each with their own attractions and experiences in and around the city. As a result, urban tourism in all its facets increased the City of Cape Town’s share of the global tourism industry and made it a more attractive domestic and international urban tourist destination largely in part to the public-private partnership between the City of Cape Town (municipality) and Cape Town Tourism (official marketing organisation for Cape Town). Cape Town Tourism has also been invited to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to serve on the Destination and Business Council and present this public-private tourism model at its annual general meeting. Consequently, the immense diversity of Cape Town’s tourism sectors and its tourism model has contributed to its popularity as an urban tourism destination with an exemplary urban tourism product that could be adapted and transferred to other African cities. Show less

Urban tourism has become an important sector within the global tourism industry as it is able to serve a range of tourists, satisfy their needs, and exceed their expectations. The urban environment usually is seen as “standing alone” with regards to the operational aspects of tourism, however, it has become increasingly Show more

At the end of 2019, a new crisis emerged in the world - COVID-19 - which literally devastated the tourism industry worldwide. In order to try to minimise the spread of COVID-19, the government implemented a strict national lockdown, but this unfortunately had a negative impact on many sectors within the tourism industry. In the light of this, many scholars argued that technology such as virtual reality (VR), would contribute to the recovery of tourism. This article considers this phenomenon by filling a gap in the literature regarding the role of VR in the tourism industry in the global South by focusing on South Africa. The key question that arises, namely can VR save tourism in South Africa in the wake of COVID-19? To address this question, the study uses three methodological approaches: case studies, a conceptual research method and open-ended interviews. The results from the study showed that VR offers tourism numerous benefits, but at the same time poses a threat to the industry. Despite this, the study concludes that VR cannot save the tourism industry in South Africa currently as it faces certain critical obstacles in this context. Show less

At the end of 2019, a new crisis emerged in the world - COVID-19 - which literally devastated the tourism industry worldwide. In order to try to minimise the spread of COVID-19, the government implemented a strict national lockdown, but this unfortunately had a negative impact on many sectors within the tourism industry. In the Show more

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which invariably affect the functionality, sustainability, and competitiveness of a destination. The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the tourists' perceptions of crises and risks affecting the tourism sector in Durban. The paper used a mixed-method through the use of surveys and direct interviews with a sample of local, regional, and international tourists and key informants in the tourism sector within Durban. The results show that the level of risks in the city is perceived to be high and was found to have a significant impact on destination decision- choices. First-time visitors might be discouraged by mediatised risks. However, repeat visitors were likely to visit Durban since they were more conversant with the local conditions. Domestic tourists were likely to visit the destination since they have various mechanisms at their disposal to deal with perceived risks than first-time visitors. Furthermore, the results indicated that tourists are resilient to negative media coverage of risks. The study concludes that several factors influence the image of a destination, so tourist visitation cannot be affected by crises and risks alone. The study recommends a multi-pronged strategy to mitigate the impact of crises and risks on the destinations. Show less

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which Show more

The COVID-19 pandemic is catalysing changes in consumer demands as well as necessitating a paradigm shift for research on tourist behaviour and decision making. The aim of the study is to examine how niche tourism may be leveraged as part of the tourism sector’s recovery plan to rejuvenate supply and ignite demand post COVID-19. One specific niche, namely rural tourism, is investigated in detail. The COVID-19 crisis forces a renewed attention on both the potential opportunities and challenges of different spaces for rural tourism development in South Africa and of the need for evidenced-based research to inform future policy developments. This was undertaken in three case studies of rural tourism in Limpopo Greater Giyani Local Municipality; in Mpumalanga Thaba Chweu Local Municipality and in Eastern Cape Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Four key findings are observed. First, geographical variations exist in relation to the character and challenges facing rural tourism. This underscores the need to conceptualize and plan for rural tourism spaces in terms of (at least) three categories of fringe, in-between and remote/exotic. Second, is the poor and unsupportive institutional environment for rural tourism development in all case study municipalities. The research points to an environment for rural tourism which is dominated by considerable mismanagement and local government shortcomings as underlined by the fact that all three case studies are run by local governments classified by the Department of Cooperative Governance as “distressed and dysfunctional”. Three, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 for the tourism economies of all three local municipalities are apparent with a dramatic reduction within one year in the contribution of tourism to local GDP because of COVID-19 impacts. Four, the findings underscore the imperative for stimulating a recovery in tourism into these areas for promoting local economic development. Additionally, they point to evolving a policy framework for rural tourism revival which is not a one-size-fits-all policy but anchored on the nuances and challenges of (often) markedly different rural tourism spaces. The report presents findings based on 70 interviews. Beyond COVID-19 issues the major challenges facing the growth of rural tourism surround the chronic shortcomings of local government. Tourism business activities are constrained by the infrastructural deficiencies which are experienced by these businesses. The failure of local government to address the improvement and basic maintenance of roads, local water supplies or provide street lighting and signage are fundamental issues of concern for stimulating rural tourism in these areas. Local tourism businesses highlighted a number of interventions and support needs from government, such as financial support, improved marketing and enhancing local Tourism Information Centres. Arguably, such potentially useful support measures can only be impactful if undertaken in parallel with or following addressing the infrastructural shortcomings which are as a result of the inadequate performance of local government. In final analysis the report offers several key conclusions and recommendations relating to rural tourism. Show less

The COVID-19 pandemic is catalysing changes in consumer demands as well as necessitating a paradigm shift for research on tourist behaviour and decision making. The aim of the study is to examine how niche tourism may be leveraged as part of the tourism sector’s recovery plan to rejuvenate supply and ignite demand post Show more

Dark tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism industries around the world, inextricably linked to museums with dark pasts. These museums are attractions and destinations associated with death, tragedy or suffering, and highlight some of the darkest human histories. For decades, much research on dark tourism in South Africa has focused on Robben Island as a prison that is most notorious with detailed literature. However, a lesser-known unique museum serves as a dark tourist destination in South Africa’s capital city. The Kgoši Mampuru II Museum (referred to as the Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area), formerly the Pretoria Central Prison, is a museum with a dark heritage that interprets the tragedy that took place during the apartheid regime. This paper gives a brief historical background of the Kgoši Mampuru II Prison and includes the major political execution that took place from 1961 to 1989 during apartheid. The paper examines the operation of the South African Department of Correctional Services and how it managed to convert this Pretoria-based prison into a museum, on the premise that it remains a current correctional centre for prisoners. It remains unclear how the transition from prison as a site of capital punishment developed into a museum. This paper explores these challenges and discussions from a dark tourism and museum experience perspective. Conclusions suggest that this research has the potential to occupy a critical niche, since prison museums, as a form of dark tourism, are largely unknown and can fill a major gap in South African museology. Show less

Dark tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism industries around the world, inextricably linked to museums with dark pasts. These museums are attractions and destinations associated with death, tragedy or suffering, and highlight some of the darkest human histories. For decades, much research on dark tourism in South Show more

This paper is a research review of crime prevention in South Africa using a qualitative research approach. Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. South Africa is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine routes, natural experiences, cultural villages, spectacular coastlines among other must-see experiences that appeal to international tourists travelling to the continent. However, South Africa holds the reputation of one of the highest crime rates in the world and is therefore regarded as a high-risk destination. This negative reputation directly influences tourism demand and supply and indirectly impacts on both jobs and gross income in the industry. It is said that the three primary conditions for the successful development of tourism in a set location are “peace, safety and security”. Therefore, without them, tourists are likely to be victimized, negatively affecting the image of the country and income derived from tourism. It is the prime responsibility of the tourism sector to safeguard tourists and tourism development in their respective regions. The article focuses on measures to remedy crime against tourists in South Africa. It considers the country's mitigation strategies from 1997-2019 (in the public sector) to combat crime, sets out guidelines for promoting safety and security and highlights implementation challenges. Show less

This paper is a research review of crime prevention in South Africa using a qualitative research approach. Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. South Africa is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine Show more

The study aimed to re-examine perspectives on the recovery of South Africa’s domestic tourism in a COVID-19 environment; stipulating the aim and objectives. There is consensus about the role of domestic tourism in the tourism sector’s recovery post the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-conceptual theoretical framework (sustainable tourism development approach and ecosystem-based operational model) permits an examination of complex systems and phenomena (such as tourism) that have multidimensional as well as demand and supply-side aspects and impacts that are influenced by environmental, political, economic, and social factors. A desktop study informed the research that focused on key thematic areas: domestic tourism and the COVID-19 pandemic context and trends, domestic tourism responses to the pandemic, challenges for reigniting domestic tourism, innovative responses that are emerging and recommendations that are evident. In terms of the methodological approach adopted, national online surveys as well as face-to-face surveys in purposively selected cities/ towns (Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Kimberly and St Lucia) were conducted with tourism service providers (406 completed) and the general public (1 034) completed, examining supply-side and demandside/ travel behaviour patterns and perspectives, respectively. The results indicate South Africa has numerous wellestablished tourism destinations, products and resources available to rebuild a viable and strong domestic tourism sector; including internationally recognised coastal and marine, nature conservation sites and cultural tourism products. Additionally, while most South Africans generally have little, if any, disposable income; there is a sufficient proportion of the population who have discretionary income and many South African residents in this study exhibit a desire to participate in tourism activities. Thus, effective targeted marketing and providing incentives/ packages to promote domestic tourism will be critical to unlocking the potential to encourage travel and pent up demand. There are differences in tourism service provider impacts linked to type of tourism activities involved in, number of years operational, number of employees, turnover and provincial location. In relation to travel preferences, key influential factors are population group, age, income level, employment status, educational level, household size and the location of place of residence. The SWOT analysis details the strengths and opportunities as well as the weaknesses and threats that need attention. The results indicate that tourism service providers involved in customer-dependent activities located in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal with lower turnovers, a smaller number of employees and operational for fewer years are more vulnerable to pandemic impacts and are likely to take longer to fully recover. Government and the private sector need to work together to develop affordable and quality domestic tourism products/ packages and services for local consumption while transitioning the tourism sector to be sustainable and resilient to deal with future disruptions. A framework for embracing an ecosystem operating model is proposed highlighting four key steps: re-evaluate, reconfigure, respond and stimulate domestic tourism demand. The importance of timely research with appropriate monitoring and evaluation is also underscored. Show less

The study aimed to re-examine perspectives on the recovery of South Africa’s domestic tourism in a COVID-19 environment; stipulating the aim and objectives. There is consensus about the role of domestic tourism in the tourism sector’s recovery post the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-conceptual Show more

South Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. The country is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine routes, natural experiences, cultural villages, spectacular coastlines among other must-see experiences that appeal to international tourists travelling to the continent. However, the country holds the reputation of one of the highest crime rates in the world and is therefore regarded as a high-risk destination. This negative reputation influences tourism demand and supply directly, as well as indirectly, as it impacts on both jobs and gross income in the industry. It is said that the three primary conditions for the successful development of tourism in a set location are “peace, safety and security”.1 Therefore, without those primary conditions, tourists are likely to be victimized, negatively affecting the image of the country and income derived from tourism. It is the prime responsibility of the tourism sector to safeguard tourists and tourism development in their respective regions. The research focus of this Master’s dissertation in Heritage and Cultural Tourism is on the safety and security concerns in South Africa. In other words, it considers the interrelationship between tourism and crime in the country, by exploring the broader dimensions of tourism security and wellbeing. Show less

South Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. The country is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine routes, natural experiences, cultural villages, spectacular coastlines among other must-see experiences Show more