South Africa Tourism Case Study: Issues, Impact, and Policy

This case study examines the tourism industry in South Africa, focusing on its economic contributions, visitation trends, and destination attractiveness. It highlights key locations such as Cape Point Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and the Drakensberg. The study analyzes various issues impacting tourism, including damage to the agricultural sector, water shortages, capital issues, crime rates, technological limitations, and lack of information. It further explores the positive and negative impacts of tourism on the economy, social aspects, and culture of South Africa, discussing the role of tourism in job creation, foreign reserves, inflation, and cultural exchange. Finally, the case study addresses policy implications for sustainable tourism outcomes, emphasizing the need to mitigate negative impacts and promote responsible tourism practices.

CASE STUDY: SOUTH
AFRICA

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Tourism Visitation.......................................................................................................................3
Destination attractiveness............................................................................................................5
Issues analysis..............................................................................................................................7
Impact of tourism.........................................................................................................................9
Policy implication......................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Travel and tourism is the only sector which contribute well in the economic development
of the nation. It is the industry which accounts substantial amount in the revenue of the nation.
Present report is based on the South Africa. As per the record of World Travel & Tourism
council 2012, Tourism sector of South Africa directly contributes ZAR 102 Billion to the
country GDP (Merwe, 2016). It enhances employment opportunities in the country. South Africa
offers wide range of options to the domestic and international tourists which has made the
location very popular. Current assignment will discuss the tourism visitation points and its
attractiveness of this place. Important issues related to tourism and destination development will
be illustrated in this study. Implication of policies will be discussed in order to achieve
sustainable tourism outcome for the destination (van Niekerk and Saayman, 2013).
MAIN BODY
Tourism Visitation
The position of the travel and tourism industry plays significant rile in the nation's
economic development. Statistical records show that in the year 2015 more than 10 million
international tourists arrived in the South Africa which was 13% higher than previous year. It is
the only sector that makes substantial contribution in the development of economy (Ormond and
Sulianti, 2017). South Africa is the popular destination from the point of view of travelers, this
sector remains as key driver that helps in job creation in the nation to great extent.
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Illustration 1: Total arrivals in Africa
Source: (50 Top Tourist Attractions In South Africa, 2014)

Statistical records show that 8 903 773 foreign tourists has visited the South Africa in the
year 2015. Approx 16 million local and international tourists came to this location just to visit
Kruger National Part in this year (Knott, Fyall and Jones, 2015).
In the South Africa there are many places that attract most of the tourists towards the
location. Such as there are many theme parks, national games park, weather of the location is
amazing that memorize the travelers and they make plan to come here. Furthermore,
Government of South Africa pay attention on the safety measures, it provides secure
environment to the travelers so that they can come here and can enjoy the place. It increases
business of tourism in the South Africa to great extent (Thomas, 2013). Records show that in the
year 2015 2144988 travelers come to this location from overseas whereas in 2016 this figure
reached to 2531046 that shows 18% growth in the visitation. Total arrivals of tourists in the 2015
was 8903773 and in 2016 it has reached to the 10044163 that shows increment of 13%. As per
the report of tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, internaional tourist arrival has been
grown at growth rate of 7.4% between year of 2011 to 2013. From the records it is shown that
South Africa is continuously growing in the field of tourism and it is contributing well in the
development of the nation to great extent (Mpofu, Milne and Watkins-Mathys, 2013).
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Illustration 2: Tourist arrivals
Source: (12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in South Africa, 2017)

Destination attractiveness
South Africa has become the popular destination from the point of view of travelers.
Modern era is very hectic and people want to go in such places which can satisfy them and can
make them relax. Generally population selects o go in such location ns which can make them
happy and they can enjoy the location. South Africa is one of those locations which can satisfy
the needs of travelers to great extent (Lee and et.al, 2014).
Cape Point Nature Reserve
It is the location which is liked by the most of the travelers, it is at the tip of Cape
Peninsula. The persons those who like natural beauty they like this place and give positive
review on it. The location is famous for its scenic beauty, celebrity beaches , table Mountain,
food and wine and its laid back atmosphere.
Illustration 3: Cape Point
Source: (50 Top Tourist Attractions In South Africa, 2014)
Kruger national park
It is the most beautiful location which crosses the border of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It
is the premium national park which has been set up by the authorities well from the point of view
of tourists.
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Illustration 4: tourist destination of South Africa
Source: (Sewdass and Du Toit, 2014)
The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
It is one of the most existed destination vacation in the South Africa. In the summer
season this location seems like anything, its flowering plants, mountain landscapes, waterfalls,
crystal-clear streams etc liked by the tourists to great extent (Rogerson and Nel, 2016).
Illustration 5: The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Source: (50 Top Tourist Attractions In South Africa, 2014)
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Apart from these locations, there are many attractive points that attract people towards
the South Africa. Motive of traveling of different persons are differed from each others, some
travel for the business purpose, some travel for fun and others travel for getting relaxed. But
South Africa is the place which can fulfill the needs of all tourists easily. There are many places
which can relax and mesmerize the travelers and can satisfy them significantly (Tucker and et.al,
2014). Tourism motivations can be explained as factors that can influence the mind of travelers
and can influence them to travel. Motivation is the only element that can help in attracting
population towards the location. Vacation makes of South Africa pay attention on the
psychological needs of the travelers and accordingly plan their tour packages so that people visit
such places which is of there choice. It helps ion motivating them and satisfying them. By this
way they plan frequently to come to this location again and again (Sewdass and Du Toit, 2014).
In the South Africa there are many other attractive places such as Robben Islnd, Wild
Coast, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve etc. These all are amazing places that can satisfy the
travel needs of the consumers and make them positive towards the location.
Issues analysis
There are many issues that can affect the tourism and can impact on the destination
development of the South Africa. These issues are discussed as below:
Damage to agriculture sector
That is the main issue that is why overall tourism development is affecting in the South
Africa. Bali is the location where tourism development can cause damage to the agricultural
sector to great extent. If government develops infrastructure facilities in this location then it may
affect the land use and due to this overall environment can get affected (Masvawure and et.al,
2014).
Water shortage and pollution
South Africa is t he Water-scarce country. In the location there are water shortage and
due to this, authorities are unable to develop the infrastructure facilities and other parks
development. Pollution of groundwater is the major threat to the nation that can affect the overall
growth of the tourism industry (Seymore, Inglesi-Lotz and Blignaut, 2014). Due to this, people
do not take interest in coming here that impact on the business performance of the travel
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companies. Areas like Gauteng region and Mpumalanga Highveld region are suffering from acid
rain that is affecting the overall tourism development of the nation.
Capital issues
South Africa is suffering from the capital issues, there are shortage of funds. Government
is planning to invest good amount in the development of travel services but they do not have
sufficient capital to implement it significantly (Lee and et.al, 2014).
Crime rate
It is another issue in the South Africa tr hat is creating problem in the nation to great
extent and due to this most of the travelers do not prefer to go ion such location because they
find it insecure. Statistical records show that in the year 2015 t here were 18673 murder cases
occurred. Approx 51895 sexual offences cases were recorded in the year 2015 which h was
average of 142.2 per day. Such type of increasing crime rate demotivates the people to come to
this location for their holiday. That is the major factor that creates negative image in the mind of
tourists and due to this tourism development is affecting (Tucker and et.al, 2014).
Technological development
It is another issues that is creating problem in the destination development of the nation.
South Africa is the location where there are limited technologies adopted by the government in
the field of tourism. There are not much information available on the websites and tourists can
not get relevant information about the location, attraction places etc. in this destination. That is
why tourism development is affecting and that is the main issue for the location (Tucker and
et.al, 2014).
Lack of information
It is another issue for the South Africa because local population does not have good
information about the places and they are unable to guide the outsiders well. Authorities have
not trained them and gave them information about the travel services. Even tourists those who
come to the location they can not get proper guidance from the relevant authorities thee are not a
single customer enquiry center from where they can get the relevant information about the
location. That is why destination development in getting affected (Merwe, 2016).
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Impact of tourism
Tourism is the sector which contributes well in the economic development of the nation.
But it affects positively and negatively on the tourism of the South Africa to great extent.
Economic impact
Travel and tourism sector is one of the most essential source that contributes well in the
economic development of the nation. It generates substantial benefit to the both host and home
countries. Due to this sector employment opportunities are increasing in the South Africa.
Furthermore, it is giving support to other business as well and due to this they are getting
development in the location (Knott, Fyall and Jones, 2015). Tourism activities help in attracting
more people towards the destination. That is why foreign reserves are increasing and this amount
is utilizing by the government in the infrastructure development due to this hospitality industry is
also growing. Apart from this due to increasing the travel business in the South Africa,
government is investing much amount in the development of the nation. They are educating the
people and giving them job opportunities that helps in increasing the per capita income of the
individuals that ultimately assists in increasing GDP of the region (Ormond and Sulianti, 2017).
On other hand tourism activities impact negative on the economic of the nation. Due to
this inflation in the South Africa can get enhanced to great extent. Due to this, authorities will
have to increase the prices of hotels and lands that would automatically increase the travel cost of
the tourists. That is the main problem in the travel activities that impact negative on the e
economic of the nation to great extent. That pushes the local business out of areas and due o this
cost of the tour packages get increased. By this way people do not prefer to come in such costly
location and they can not afford that expensive travel (Rogerson and Nel, 2016).
Social and cultural impact
Travel activities impact positive on the social and cultural aspects of the South Africa to
great extent. Due to increasing travel facilities people come in the location from different
locations they know about the culture of the nation, it creates multicultural in the region. In the
South Africa there are many cultural people live and approx 300 languages are in practices. T hat
helps in maintaining the own culture and spreading the positive aspect of the African culture
across the world. That enhances reputation of the host country worldwide and due to this, people
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respect the culture and get in depth information about the system (Mpofu, Milne and Watkins-
Mathys, 2013).
On other hand travel activities impact negative on the host community. South Africa is
famous for its foke dance and traditional culture. But mixture of different nationalities and
cultures can create huge complex situation in the location. It may be possible that people fail to
understand language of each other that may create conflict situation in the South Africa to great
extent. Due to this safety and security may get affected it is not good for the welfare of the
destination (Masvawure and et.al, 2014).
Environment impact
It is another factor that can be affected by the tourism activities to great extent.
Government of South Africa continuous trying to increase number of visitors in the location. For
that it is working on developing the environment conditions. It is trying to make control over the
pollution that help in keeping the places clean and by this way people will plan to come here
because of good weather conditions (Lee and et.al, 2014).
On other hand tourism activities impact negative on the environmental condition of the
nation. Development of infrastructure affecting the atmosphere due to this erosion of land is
increasing, apart from this high population is creating the situation of high pollution in the place.
Policy implication
There are many local, national and economic policies have been made by the government
in order to achieve sustainable tourism. These are policies helps in achieving the goal of the
nation and that assist in enhancing number of travelers in the region.
Government of South Africa has made the local policy related to development of
infrastructure facilities in the location. By implementing this policy authorities are developing
the hotels and other accommodation facilities for the visitors so that individual do not feel
troubled in this location. That creates positive image in the mind of consumers and they give
positive response to others about the South Africa as tourist location (Sewdass and Du Toit,
2014).
Government has made legislation related to safety and security. Every this law people
those who are coming in the destination from outside location, they will get support of local
guide who can describe about the locations. That helps in keeping them secure, apart from this it
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police department is very active and they are performing their work well so that crime rate in the
location ca get decreased soon. T hat will develop confidence among visitors and they will plan
to come in the South Africa it will give positive outcome to the sustainable tourism (Lee and
et.al, 2014).
Furthermore, some legislation have been made to protect the environment safe. For
reducing the pollution authorities have taken string action and developing the place as Eco-
friendly so that there would not be any air or noise pollution. In addition, to this transportation
policy have been made by the government. Under this law, transportation facilities are being
developed in the location that helps in easy travel ling. Due to this more people are taking
interest in South Africa and they are planning the trip in this destination. Earlier there were not
good transportation facilities but after implementing this regulation there have been tremendous
development have been done in the field of tourism. Due to this location will be able to achieve
its goal of sustainable tourism soon (Mpofu, Milne and Watkins-Mathys, 2013).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that travel and tourism is the sector which h
contributes well in the economic development of the nation. South Africa is the most popular
place there are many attractive points such as Kruger national park, The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-
Natal etc. these are attracting more people but due to poor infrastructure facilities and increasing
crime rate people are not liking to come to this location frequently. That affects the overall
business of this sector. Government is required to make effective policy to resolve the issues so
that economy can grow and it can become the most popular destination.
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