This study considers tourists' perspectives on the Critical Success Factors for guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. 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. Understanding the Critical Success Factors for guided tours is essential as it makes it easier for tourism suppliers to channel efforts toward tourist satisfaction. Using a structured questionnaire, 451 tourists participating in guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa were surveyed to ascertain the Critical Success Factors for guided tours. 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. Following an analysis of the study’s findings, recommendations for effective guided tours for the tourism industry were proposed. Show less

This study considers tourists' perspectives on the Critical Success Factors for guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. 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' 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

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

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

Accommodation grading systems officially exist in many countries and globally, including South Africa, there are official star grading systems to classify tourism accommodation based on physical and qualitative criteria. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) plays a critical role in providing standardised ratings for accommodation establishments. However, in recent years, the tourism landscape has evolved significantly, driven by changing consumer preferences, emerging trends, and advancements in technology. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the grading system remains relevant and effectively serves the needs of both domestic and international tourists. This study examines perceptions of the influence and effectiveness of the tourism accommodation grading system in South Africa to provide insights into the relevance of the grading system and recommendations. A multi-conceptual theoretical framework is used, integrating institutional, quality management, diffusion and stakeholder theories. A mixed methods research design was adopted that includes desktop, quantitative (507 online and face-to-face interviews with consumers who used, were using or planned to use an accommodation establishment) and qualitative (30 purposively selected key informant interviews targeting 10 organisations, 10 graded establishments and 10 non-graded establishments) components. The results indicate support for accommodation grading (emphasis was placed on independence and credibility) and reviews/ ratings more generally. There was also some support that graded establishments are higher priced and higher levels of service quality and provision of amenities/ product offerings are expected. Most respondents did not regard the grading system as being very effective. The criteria used for grading are in alignment with factors deemed to be important by the respondents and key informants, with sustainability and transformational imperatives perceived to require greater attention. Issues were raised in relation to whether the criteria focused on ‘ticking boxes’ (the presence of attributes) rather than quality. Recognising the increased prominence of social media and ratings/ reviews, as well as diversity among accommodation establishments and considering niche/ non-conventional accommodation establishments in terms of type (such as Airbnbs) and location (specifically in townships and rural areas), were underscored. The need to consider multiple systems (including independent grading and reviews/ rating) that are complementary and institutionalising a monitoring and evaluation framework are key recommendations. Show less

Accommodation grading systems officially exist in many countries and globally, including South Africa, there are official star grading systems to classify tourism accommodation based on physical and qualitative criteria. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) plays a critical role in providing standardised ratings 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

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