The Most Recent Tourism Policy of South Africa: A Detailed Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of South Africa's tourism policy, beginning with an introduction to the country and its tourism industry's contribution to the GDP. It delves into the specific policies and strategies implemented by the South African government to attract tourists, including destination management, ease of access, effective marketing, and broad-based benefits. The report evaluates the effectiveness of these policies, considering factors such as market targeting, the role of digital technology and social media, and government initiatives. It also assesses the impact of tourism on the country's development, including economic stability, employment, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the report offers recommendations for improving the tourism policy, addressing shortcomings, and maximizing the potential for growth in the tourism sector, thereby contributing to the economic and social advancement of South Africa. The report also includes an evaluation of the tourism policy, considering its aims, objectives, and impact on the country's tourism sector.

The most recent
Tourism Policy of
South Africa

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION TO THE DESTINATION COUNTRY............................................................3
Tourism policies of South Africa................................................................................................5
Evaluation of tourism policy of South Africa.............................................................................7
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................11
Books and Journal.....................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The whole world is becoming a global village which is making whole world reachable,
even the remote ones. The tourism industry is one of the largest industries which is contributing
a lot in Gross Domestic Product or GDP of south Africa. Attracting tourism of in a country plays
a vital role in development of respective country. The report gives a detailed description about
the country, South Africa and what policies are adopted by country which can work in
accordance to enhance involvement of tourists(Brondoni, 2016). Also an overall evaluation of
policies is performed which describes what changes are required by country to implement.
Recommendations are also seen in the report which suggest what changes can be made. These
are performed by the governance bodies and organisations who work in supporting welfare of
respective country. Also the efforts of local individuals in respect of improvising the culture are
studied. What all changes tourism industry has brought in lives of domestic people and tourists
as well.
INTRODUCTION TO THE DESTINATION COUNTRY
The respective country South Africa, formally known as Republic of South Africa (RSA)
is situated in southern most direction of African continent. It is 24th most inhabited country in
whole world with an approximate of sixty million individuals residing in geographical territories
of South Africa. It has many large cities, among which Johannesburg is the largest. The major
population residing in South Africa are Black African Ancestry and the least population residing
is of Asian community. There are many African languages which are spoken officially like
Ndebele, Pedi, Zulu, Afrikaans, Swati, Tsonga and many others(Carboni, Perelli and Sistu,
2017). The major communities residing in South Africa are European, Asian and others. It has a
long coastline which is touching South Atlantic and Indian Ocean. The closest neighbouring
countries of South Africa are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini. South
Africa is considered as a nation with diverse species of flora and fauna. It is situated near equator
and is hotspot of varied plant life and animal life. The religious community of South Africa is
mainly Christians,. Out of which Protestants are the highest. The least residing religion of South
Africa is Hindus and some of religions who are under undetermined categories. It is a diversified
cultural nation which inhabitants a number of cultures. South Africa is a country which is
developing which ranks as 113th on Human Development Index according to a recent survey

performed. This nation is having democratic governance body which is non bias and works for
development of each and every community group. Due to a lot of cultural variations and many
religious communities residing in South Africa it is sometimes called as Rainbow Nation also.
The African continent supports industrialisation and growth of different countries. South Africa
is second largest economy in whole African Continent where industrialisation is in full swing.
The standard of living of domestic people is moderate. Like all other countries crime and other
discrepancies are also prevalent in South Africa. Even after considering as the second largest
industrialised nation in whole African Continent, the residents of South Africa faces financial
instabilities. The unemployment is also widespread in South Africa which takes back the
development of nation. There many cases of crimes due to lower education, inequality practiced
by the governing bodies. This is a reason that a considerable number of people are under poverty
line(Coughlan and Hattingh, 2020). The climatic changes also play a major part in determining
the economic stability of nation. As climatic conditions are fluctuating, people are more
vulnerable to diseases. It emits a high amount of green house gases that consists of carbon
dioxide, methane gases, hydrofluorocarbons and others which inserts a major impact over natural
resources of South Africa. This is a reason that a large part of population is devoid of adequate
water and other necessary infrastructure and essential commodities that supports living of human
beings. According to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, South Africa is having a lot of heritage
sites in whole African continent, which is well preserved by the governing bodies. This is the
reason that tourism culture is very high in the respective nation, South Africa as it is very popular
destination of tourists. The country earns a lot of revenue from tourism industry which helps the
local people to enhance their standard of living. The nation has also resulted in numerous
scientifically and technically enhanced developments like first heart transplant, first internet
security company named Thawte(Davis and Roberts, 2016).

Tourism policies of South Africa
Tourism sector contributes 2.8 percent to GDP and is stable at around 3 percent over past
decades. Highest target was achieved in 2006 which is 3.2 percent which shows a great
contribution to GDP of South Africa. It also generates more employment in the economy which
represents economic growth of a country (Hemmonsbey and Tichaawa, 2020). Taking all the
points in mind it is essential to form various policies in favour of Tourism by respective
governments. Taking in mind the same Government of South Africa also formulates various
policies and programmes to attract more and more tourist in their country. They constitute a
tourism department for such purpose which is headed by Minister of Tourism then after it have
National Department of Tourism. This department is further divided in four departments that are
Corporate Management, Destination Development, Tourism Research and international relations
and Tourism Sector Support Services, (South Africa Tourism Policy, 2021).
The strategies of national tourism sector were updated in 2016 which was approved in
2017. These strategies provides for guidelines for tourism development in country which is being
used till 10 years until 2026. The key pillars of these strategies are Destination Management,
Facilitating ease of Access, Effective Marketing and broad based benefits. These strategies work
in aligned to each pillar(Fletcher and Brueckner, 2016).
Effective marketing focuses on efforts which coordinate to promote South Africa to
became top destination for their tourist and improve conversion rate. Markets which are on
prioritised are targeted through this pillar and maintain relations with other nations. Policies are
formulated on this pillar and government formulate budget to be spend on this policy.
Government uses various advertisement techniques to attract tourists and increase rate of tourism
in a country.
Destination Management pillar helps in sustainable development and manage tourism
sector in South Africa. Destination Management refers to the management of tourist places in the
country to attract more people on those places. Management of tourist places is beneficial not for
only tourist but for the country as well (Brown, 2020). It provides the residents of country to live
in a better place. Destination is an most important factor as it is the thing which attract most of
the tourism. With the increasing demand of greenery as well nature connectivity, government
should focus on making country peaceful with more emphasis on nature.

Facilitating Ease of Access to consumers helps to retain them on that site and provides
booking of trips in easy manner (Dube and Nhamo, 2020). This era of competition where
cancellation if booking is just one click away website of booking trips should be easily
accessible to the consumers. Seamless travel experience facilitation and access to participate in
tourism helps in easy access. Government should remove barriers which limits the international
tourist to visit in the country. They should also provide for ease in Visa regulations and processes
for tourism priority market.
Visitors experience needs to target regulations of visitor experience for both international
and domestic tourists in order to provide customer satisfaction at maximum level(Hall and
Gössling, 2020). Improvement of both touchable and intangible elements of the guest experience
strengthens actions, including the growth, safeguarding and improvement of tourist definite and
related infrastructure.
The Broad-based Benefits pillar seeks to encourage the empowerment of before
marginalised organisations and countryside communities to make sure inclusive expansion of the
sector. Centre areas include targeted support for sustainable organisation development and the
expansion of benefits of tourism to rural and other previously under-served areas. These
strategies have impact a lot on tourist in country. These policies are formulated by government of
South Africa taking in mind all the shortcomings faced by country in that context. They first
select the target market in which they want to target the most of tourist in the industry (Wood
and Bischoff, 2020).
Emergence of digital technology plays a vital role in attracting more and more tourist in
the country. It make easy for people to apply for Visa or any other permissions which promotes
tourism all over the world (Chuchu, 2020). Digital transformation all over the world became a
major factor which is responsible for growth of tourism economy. Government also consider this
aspect in order to form their policies and implement in their market.
Social media also helps to attract more tourism in country. In pillar of marketing it is the
best way of marketing as it reaches large population with low cost of advertisement. Social
media is used by nearly everyone in the world these days. Generally the target market of tourism
is active on social media and this serves as an important factor to market on social media for
different purposes. In case of marketing, social media is an strongest pillar to attract torism in the
country(Hall, 2017).

Government of South Africa also encourage innovation in the country like innovative
infrastructure and organisation providing innovative services to tourism. Government provide
rebates to those organisation which brings innovation and provides for improved infrastructure in
country. Apart with this government also take additional initiatives just like a broad human
resource and strategy of skills which is finalised in 2018. Ministry of home affairs and transport
is responsible for facilitation of travel in the country. On the other hand, environmental affairs
ministry focuses on implementation and development of plans regarding sustainable tourism.
Government also needs to focus on giving entry to outsiders in the country as it costs the safety
of country(Hampton, Jeyacheya and Long, 2018).
Evaluation of tourism policy of South Africa
Improvement of tourism manufacturing needs planning of tourism. This planning leads to the
development and enhancement of development. Tourism appears as the prevalent worldwide
manufacturing of the 20thcentury and their project to develop more rapidly in the century of
21th. South Africa has huge potential of enlargement in the field of tourism with huge
civilization and spiritual inheritance, diverse usual desirability, but a moderately little function or
task in the globe tourism sight. The very primary and initial policy of tourism was proclaiming
by the political authority of India on November 1982(Henama and Sifolo 2017). The aim of this
policy of tourism was to develop the sustainable sightseeing as the term of growth and
development of economy, Social addition and to enhance the representation of South Africa as a
nation with a magnificent history, a effervescent there and a intense prospect.
The aims of development of tourism to promote appreciative among individuals, to
generate and make service chance and possibility carry about social economic advantage to the
society, generally in the internal and isolated domain(Scully, 2016). This scheme or policies is
going to highlight the development and enhancement of tourism us connected with cardinal,
public sector , private fields and state . These policy is going to motivate and encourage the
people and tourism to engage and take part in improvement and also develop interest and
involvement of localise youth because if local youth give their participation then it will lead to
gain more advantage because as they have much creative mind and excitement to do anything
and have several ideas to attract more tourism towards the destination. These all policy motivate
the partnership of public and private for growth and development of tourism sector. Realizing
that touristy is a cross sector action and function the policies assures inter governmental

connection and consecrate . These argumentation and policies described that the development
and enhancement of tourism sector and fields is totally lies and depend on the sector of private
because this sector has to construct, maintain and tackle the facilities and services of tourist,
reserve it, handle and manage it , they include the domestic community and construct and
develop the security and shelter and so more these are the things that is done by the private sector
in order to enhance and develop the tourism. The strategies of national tourism sector were
updated in 2016 which was approved in 2017. These strategies provides for guidelines for
tourism development in country which is being used till 10 years until 2026(Koçak, Ulucak and
Ulucak, 2020). The key pillars of these strategies are Destination Management, Facilitating ease
of Access, Effective Marketing and broad based benefits. These strategies work in aligned to
each pillar. The actions and function of intentional agencies and volunteers in the sector of
tourism improvement and enhancement is analysed acknowledged by these policies. These
policy of South Africa inferred to alleviate bigger finances to infrastructure and structure of
tourism sector (South African Tourism Policy, 2019). These policy help the private sector and
stakeholder as well to analyse and acknowledge the amended and extreme attribute and quality
modular in employment, services, accommodations and the sector of touristy industries are
needful for the investment in foreign. These policies recommand that cater and giving
precedence to advancement of technologies specially to the technology of information.
These policy recommand for the security and protection of the fields and sector of the
tourism because this is very important to provide theses facilities and services because when the
tourism can not feel safe and secure there, they will not going to enjoy and feel comfort there so
that is why these policy that are related to the safety of tourism give assurance to the tourism. By
the agencies of government the policy cater some services and facilities like acquiring and
getting visas, checks, fees and many more if theses facilities are provided by the government in
a very simple and easy way then it make easier and simple for the private sector to develop more
tourism and attract them towards their destination(Mtapuri and Giampiccoli, 2016). By the help
of facilitating Ease of Access it help and support the private sector to make zones of tourism
economic and areas and circuits for the tourism. These all policies conduct and launch expected
program, preservation of earthy surroundings and social practice, effectiveness of cost and many
more. The policy of effective marketing help the private sector and also concentrate on the
attempt and activities that co-ordinate and support to develop the South Africa to become

amened and best destination to travel for their tourist and also help them to develop and amend
transition rates. Markets that are on precedence are point out by the policy of pillar and handle
the connection with different countries. These policies are developed on the basis of the pole
and then the government developed and generate the budget to invest on this policies. The
political authority of South Africa applied several technique of advertisement and promoting
activities to gain and attract the more tourism and to gain much interest level of tourism in a
country so that they can become best tourism country(Naidoo, Fisher and Balmford, 2016). The
policies that are related to the sector of nation tourism that were modify in the year of 2016 and
was approved in the year of 2017. These policies cater the guidelines to develop and cater more
tourism in the nation and develop better and clear surrounding so that tourism can feel better and
peaceful. These all the policies and strategies help the South Africa to attract more tourism and
then provide a better, safe, and secure environment to their tourism so they can feel better and
help the country also to become best travel and tourism nation because tourism policies are key
aspect and most important strategies to develop development of tourism. Tourism is very
essential and much important section of an economy because it helps the country to raise their
economy and grow faster(Qian, Shen and Law, 2018).
RECOMMENDATIONS
The various organisations that work in context to improving tourism culture needs to pre
determine the contingent issues which may prevail in the nation. The tourists are demotivated
from the crimes like robbery, theft which should be reduced by governing bodies by adopting
various developmental programmes for the sake of domestic people. As political instability is
high in South Africa, which results in terror, corruption, etc. this also affects the incoming of
visitors. This can be resolved when governing system is modified. The climatic conditions also
play an important factor in choosing the respective destination to visit by visitors, for this hotels
and restaurants should be modified with all facilities. There is lack of many infrastructural
facilities like proper roads and transportation. Measures should be adopted to improve
transportation facilities.
CONCLUSION
From the above aforementioned report, it can be concluded that South Africa is a developing
nation which has many heritage sites. People are highly attracted towards the culture and

diversifications which nation is having. This is a reason that South Africa is generating a lot of
revenue from tourism industry which is helping in enhancing living standards of domestic
people. As tourism of people is high in South Africa, there are many policies which are
mentioned in the above report that is helping the nation to improvise tourism. Also evaluation of
these policies is also done whether they are helping in increasing tourism or not.
Recommendations are also seen which shows how several discrepancies in above mentioned
policies can be resolved.

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tourism development.South African Geographical Journal,98(1), pp.154-168.
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tourism in Africa from the illegal killing of elephants.Nature communications,7(1),
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Scully, B., 2016. From the shop floor to the kitchen table: The shifting centre of precarious
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01ad4412-en>
South African Tourism Policy, 2019.{Online} <Available
throughhttps://projekter.aau.dk/projekter/files/224337742/merged_document.pdf>