The study aimed to explore and understand the key role of community participation in the development of tourism in Phiphidi village. The specific objectives of the study included assessing the significance of community participation, identifying barriers to participation, examining mechanisms to encourage participation, and evaluating the overall impact of community involvement in sustainable tourism development. The importance of this research lay in its potential contributions to both academic scholarship and practical applications in the field of sustainable tourist development. Through a purposive sampling approach, the study engaged with a diverse group of 15 community members, representing various age groups, genders, and roles within the Phiphidi village. This deliberate selection allowed for a comprehensive exploration of different perspectives, ensuring a more nuanced understanding of the complex cultural dynamics and societal structures within the community. The research methodology involved the use of semi-structured interviews as the primary means of data collection. These interviews offered participants the freedom to elaborate on their experiences, thoughts, and feelings, providing rich insights into the role of the Phiphidi Village community in sustainable tourism development initiatives. The interview guide, with core questions focusing on community engagement, challenges, and strategies, was designed to maintain consistency while allowing flexibility for participants to share their unique perspectives. Upon completion of data collection, the study employed a thematic analysis approach to systematically categorize and analyze emerging themes from interview transcriptions and observational data. This analysis aimed to uncover patterns, similarities, and differences in participant responses, providing valuable insights into the community's experiences with sustainable tourism development. The findings of the study revealed a complex picture of drivers, obstacles, and goals within the Phiphidi community's attitudes towards sustainable tourism. Economic incentives, cultural pride, and concerns about transformative impacts all contributed to the multifaceted nature of the community's perspective. The recommendations drawn from the study emphasized the need for customized programs, open decision-making processes, measures to protect cultural heritage, educational initiatives, and comprehensive development strategies. Show less

The study aimed to explore and understand the key role of community participation in the development of tourism in Phiphidi village. The specific objectives of the study included assessing the significance of community participation, identifying barriers to participation, examining mechanisms to encourage participation, and Show more

This study was aimed at finding solutions and getting results that gave a clear narrative about technological improvements in the tourism industry. it wanted to resolve the problem and conclude on research's main aim which was the impacts of the 4IR on the tourism industry in Thulamela Local Municipality. The study was conducted around Thulamela Local Municipality as the tourism destination with the use of the Quantitative method. The sample of the study consisted of tourism businesses in TLM that depended on technology such as accommodation facilities and restaurants where the data was collected. The data collected was analyzed using a statistical analysis approach. It depicted that TLM as a tourism destination has encountered negative and positive impacts with the newly introduced Fourth Industrial Revolution. The analysis further shows that most employees are facing difficulties in terms of machinery. The analysis of data indicated that the majority of employees were not happy with the introduction of the 4IR in the tourism industry as the machinery seemed to be substituting them in the workplace. On the other hand, new companies are facing high competition because of the 4IR whilst other companies are getting more profit and customers because of the fast service machinery introduced by the 4IR. This research has shown that the tourism industry has accepted and welcomed the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution in TLM as many tourism businesses have adopted a new way of running their businesses. This study has indicated that as much as the 4IR was beneficial to the industry, employees were, however, dissatisfied with the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution due to their losing jobs. As such, the researcher concluded that the 4IR has impacted the tourism industry positively by benefiting the tourism establishments and negatively on employees because their jobs were under threat. Show less

This study was aimed at finding solutions and getting results that gave a clear narrative about technological improvements in the tourism industry. it wanted to resolve the problem and conclude on research's main aim which was the impacts of the 4IR on the tourism industry in Thulamela Local Municipality. The study was Show more

Youth and student tourism is critical to upgrading the tourism market, as the estimate of the youth travel market has changed over the past decade. The World Tourism Association notes that youth visitors make up one-sixth of worldwide entries, with an average of sixty percent. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research that examines youth involvement and contribution to tourism growth. It is also important to define the terms “youth” and “domestic tourism” and their importance. This study will investigate the barriers to the participation of second-year tourism students at the University of Venda in domestic tourism. The study is descriptive and used a quantitative method with a random sampling technique to select respondents. The study area is at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool, and SPSS will be used for data analysis. The results of this study will help tourism students identify barriers to participating in domestic tourism and find solutions. Show less

Youth and student tourism is critical to upgrading the tourism market, as the estimate of the youth travel market has changed over the past decade. The World Tourism Association notes that youth visitors make up one-sixth of worldwide entries, with an average of sixty percent. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research that Show more

South Africa’s Bed & Breakfast (B&B) sector has grown rapidly since 1994 because of inclusive growth measures that seek to correct the tainted legacy of the apartheid era. The sector is widely occupied by small businesses which recruit local people using entry-level qualifications. However, little attention has been given to the training and development needs of employees working in this sector. The main aim of this study is to investigate the training and development needs of employees in the B & B sector in Thohoyandou. The primary objectives of this research are threefold: firstly, to determine the current levels of knowledge and skills possessed by employees concerning operational practices in B&Bs; secondly, to identify and specify the areas necessitating targeted training and development interventions; and thirdly, to analyse the challenges hindering the successful adoption and application of improved practices by employees. A quantitative research approach which followed a survey research design was utilised to achieve the research objectives. A random sampling technique was used to select 50 participants who took part in this study. The results would be useful for crafting appropriate training programs for employees as well as equipping employers with competitive enabling tools of employee management for the betterment of their businesses. On a broader scale, the results of this study would assist policymakers to effectively develop training and development policies targeted at improving the B&Bs in accommodation sector. There are challenges that people face while trying to execute sustainable practices. It is, therefore, recommended that employers consider improving the skills level of the employees through training. Show less

South Africa’s Bed & Breakfast (B&B) sector has grown rapidly since 1994 because of inclusive growth measures that seek to correct the tainted legacy of the apartheid era. The sector is widely occupied by small businesses which recruit local people using entry-level qualifications. However, little attention has been given to Show more

According to the World Bank (1975), rural development is defined as a strategy aiming at the improvement of economic and social living conditions, focusing on a specific group of poor people in rural areas. It assists the poorest group among the people living in rural areas to benefit from development. Tourism is regarded as one of the development tools in rural communities. Rural tourism has a high potential to stimulate economic growth and social change because of its complementary significance with other economic activities. Rural development is an underlying issue in South Africa as young people are emigrating to other countries or even to more developed areas like the city or urban areas either looking for employment opportunities or improve their standard of living, which leaves the rural areas underdeveloped and the decrease for potential spaces of development and eventually these areas are left neglected. Development in rural areas becomes difficult because there are challenges and hindrances when unutilised spaces, especially in rural areas such as Ha-Makuya where it is mostly nature or cultural tourism. The aim of this research project was to determine the need and the extent to which tourism contribution to rural development The project I employed a qualitative research approach and key informants were consulted to provide primary and first-hand information. The local tourism guide could assist in identifying existing and potential tourism products. The project was guided on secondary data information as well. The instrument used to collect data was electronic devices. The findings of the project proved that development in the Ha-Makuya is essential for the improvement of social standards and basic living conditions Show less

According to the World Bank (1975), rural development is defined as a strategy aiming at the improvement of economic and social living conditions, focusing on a specific group of poor people in rural areas. It assists the poorest group among the people living in rural areas to benefit from development. Tourism is regarded as Show more

Guided tours and tourism destinations are inseparable, with such guided tours often being sought after for their power to improve tourist satisfaction and envisioned to enhance visitors' experience and impact tourism growth at destinations. The success of such guided tours is often premised on several factors, which when present, would influence visitors' propensity to recommend, revisit and make future destination choices. Such factors play a critical role in determining whether visitors would consider guided or self-led excursions. Increasingly, South Africa relies on revenue from tourists as a major source of income. Statistics from South Africa show that the tourism industry is dependent on tour operators, tourist guides, and information services and that the travel industry and reservation services are built-in industries. Because of how much they enrich visitors' experiences, guided tours are offered in many different nations. These excursions are in high demand because of the positive effect they have on visitor satisfaction and, by extension, the development of the tourism industry in the places they visit. For a price or for free, tour guides may impart invaluable knowledge to their clients that can shape how visitors could remember their time in a certain location. Several studies have shown evidence of a correlation between tour guides and tourists taking tours. This is particularly true considering that many visitors choose guided tours rather than self-directed ones. Understanding the Critical Success Factors for guided tours is essential as it makes it easier for tourism suppliers to channel efforts toward tourist satisfaction. This research aimed at providing light on the under-researched topic of critical success factors for guided tours in South Africa's Western Cape Province. Understanding what makes for a successful guided tour is crucial for any tourist attraction. When the factors that make a guided tour enjoyable are isolated, tourism providers may better focus their efforts on satisfying their clients. It is worth noting that customers often want the provider and the tourist guide, to go above and beyond to ensure that they are satisfied with what is offered. The research used a mixed methods approach, which included both qualitative and quantitative techniques, to accomplish its goals. The number of interviewees was determined to be 12; all of them tour guides. For the quantitative data (n=451), a non-probability systematic sample comprised visitors taking part in guided tours in the Western Cape Province. Given that studies have shown that tour guides often lack the knowledge necessary to ensure that their clients are satisfied, it was crucial to investigate ways to enhance the quality of guided tours from the perspectives of both clients and tour guides. The study revealed that safety, knowledgeable guides, and pricing remain critical in the success of guided tours. The study highlights the critical factors considered essential for the success of guided excursions and the areas that require improvement. This research is important because it expands our understanding of a topic that has not been studied nearly enough so far especially focusing on how guided tours may be improved, and in the context of South Africa. According to the study findings, keeping an open line of contact with clients is crucial to retaining their loyalty. Those involved in the business tourism sector need to pay attention to new developments and come up with creative solutions if they want to compete with other business destinations over the globe. Those involved in the business tourism ecosystem should also stay abreast of research developments. Ultimately, this could lead to tour guides investing in skills development and knowledge expansion to conduct tours that satisfy visitors. The study further contributes to serving as a guide for further studies that may seek to investigate how guided tours in other provinces of South Africa should be conducted and ultimately improved. Furthermore, the study could provide a basis for tour guides within the Western Cape Province and South Africa more broadly to undertake more successful guided tours by understanding the CSFs required. Following an analysis of the study’s findings, recommendations for effective guided tours for the tourism industry were highlighted while practical and managerial implications were proposed. Show less

Guided tours and tourism destinations are inseparable, with such guided tours often being sought after for their power to improve tourist satisfaction and envisioned to enhance visitors' experience and impact tourism growth at destinations. The success of such guided tours is often premised on several factors, which when Show more

According to the Global tourism organisation (2022) tourism is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, with adventure tourism being one of the fastest-growing sub-industries. Adventure tourism is a developing niche market, with the potential to become extremely popular and profitable. The term "adventure" refers to a unique experience that involves personal excitement. (Hanna, Wijesinghe, Paliatsos, Walker, Adams, and Kimbu 2019).South Africa is widely viewed as one of the greatest African adventure destinations. However, sustainability is a pressing issue in any tourism context, here and elsewhere. As a result, adventure tourism destinations require guidance on how to succeed and be sustainable. (Erene 2018). The primary objective of this study is to assess the adventure tourism activities at Phiphidi Waterfalls. This study is descriptive in nature, and data was collected using a quantitative method in the form of a questionnaire. The study was conducted at Faranani and Mudomba villages situated next to the Waterfall. The sample included Phiphidi waterfalls service providers, tourist who visit Phiphidi waterfalls for adventure activities and community members. The study revealed that the most tourist visit Phiphidi waterfall for Swimming, Fishing, Birds-watching and Rock-climbing. Most tourist who travel to Phiphidi waterfall were found to be people who love adventure. The study also revealed that adventure tourism is benefiting local community members from job opportunity and meeting new people. Faranani and Mudomba residents were found mainly to be common people benefiting from providing product to tourist visiting waterfall. Show less

According to the Global tourism organisation (2022) tourism is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, with adventure tourism being one of the fastest-growing sub-industries. Adventure tourism is a developing niche market, with the potential to become extremely popular and profitable. The term "adventure" refers to a unique Show more

Despite it being widely recognised that the Bushmen of southern Africa have the oldest DNA in the world, and that they are the first peoples of the region, their voices are often the last to be heard in matters pertaining to their continued existence. They have faced centuries of ethnocide, dispossession and marginalisation, a situation perpetuated under the new democratic governments of southern Africa. Besides oversimplified and outright inaccurate portrayals of the Bushmen as ‘primitive man’ throughout the period of colonisation, they have more recently been romanticised in idyllic portrayals in tourism marketing. While this has resulted in many deciding to distance themselves from their culture, others who at first eagerly embraced tourism, have been put on show like “animals in a zoo” for tourists to view the ‘exotic and primitive indigenous people of Africa’. This has contributed to a trivialisation and commodification of their culture, with only few success stories. This study traces the history of the Bushmen both in terms of their invidious position in southern Africa and in tourism. It examines two juxtaposing examples of Bushmen tourism ventures and argues that by embracing both the traditional and modern, such ventures can succeed. Show less

Despite it being widely recognised that the Bushmen of southern Africa have the oldest DNA in the world, and that they are the first peoples of the region, their voices are often the last to be heard in matters pertaining to their continued existence. They have faced centuries of ethnocide, dispossession and marginalisation, Show more

Reward systems are important tools that management can use to motivate employees; the main objective of organizations in awarding rewards is to attract and retain efficient, productive, and motivated employees. However, there is no evidence available regarding managers' perceptions of employee rewards in five-star hotels in Cape Town. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perceptions of five-star hotel managers about the reward systems offered to employees. Further, this paper attempts to explore the influence and impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the employee reward systems offered at five-star hotels. A total of 14 interviews were conducted with managers working in four selected five-star hotels. The study used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data. The data were analysed using Creswell’s six steps. The study's findings indicate that managers offered distinct types of rewards to their employees, including extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. Managers revealed that extrinsic rewards, specifically money, are the most preferred rewards. The study revealed that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic led to hotels adjusting their employee reward systems to offer less extrinsic rewards and more intrinsic rewards. This paper concludes by recommending strategies to hotel management for enhancing the type of rewards offered to employees and offering utilisation of effective intrinsic rewards. This is to ensure that employees increase their value towards intrinsic rewards as much as they value extrinsic rewards Implications for future research are also presented. Show less

Reward systems are important tools that management can use to motivate employees; the main objective of organizations in awarding rewards is to attract and retain efficient, productive, and motivated employees. However, there is no evidence available regarding managers' perceptions of employee rewards in five-star hotels in Show more

Global pandemics have played an enormous role in shaping the tourism landscape. This dissertation focuses on the impact of pandemics on tourism by bringing together the responses to crisis from stakeholders in the 20th and 21st centuries. It examines historical pandemics from the Spanish influenza (1918) to COVID-19 (2019) to compare and identify the trends in policies and their effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on the importance of tourism in global economies and the recovery strategies post-disaster. Tourism-dependent countries are concerned about these disturbances as it leads to a fall in international travel that exacerbates economic problems, especially in developing nations. The research adopts an analytical approach which illuminates both historical policy triumphs and failures to inform future strategies. It draws together aspects from policymakers and stakeholders in order to build a more resilient and adaptable economy that emphasises a need for post-COVID-19 positioning. Various government interventions are considered and conclusions are drawn from both successful and failing methods that could highlight key indicators to assist governments with economic recovery. Finally, the research critiques government responses and suggests ways to improve them to highlight how policymakers should prepare for future crises and indicates how tourism can become more resilient and adaptable post-pandemic. Show less

Global pandemics have played an enormous role in shaping the tourism landscape. This dissertation focuses on the impact of pandemics on tourism by bringing together the responses to crisis from stakeholders in the 20th and 21st centuries. It examines historical pandemics from the Spanish influenza (1918) to COVID-19 (2019) Show more