CASE STUDY GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENCE: THE MANAGEMENT OF A TOURIST DESTINATION: BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM

1. A2 LEVEL CAMBRIDGE
CHAPTER 13: GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENCE
13.4. THE MANAGEMENT OF A TOURIST DESTINATION
CASE STUDY 1
BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM
Tourists are attracted by South African tourism because of the:
1. Variety of wildlife and world-famous game reserves (Kruger Park)
2. Warm and sunny climate (December and January)
3. Fantastic beaches in Natal region
4. Cultural heritage and traditions of Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho people
5. Cheap prices, compared to developed countries
6. Language accessibility (English)
7. Perception as a safe destination (after the collapse of apartheid)
BENEFITS OF TOURISM PROBLEMS GENERATED
Foreign currency
The number of foreign tourists has
increased by 15% per year during the
1990’s contributing 3.2% of South
Africa’s GDP.
Employment
Thousands are employed in registered
and unregistered occupations from
hotels operators to cleaners.
Investment
Over 5 billion R was invested in tourist
infrastructure in 1995, upgrading
hotels, airlines, car rental and roads.
Use of the grassland
It is a profitable way to use the
grassland. The returns per hectare
range from R60-80 for pastoralism to
R250 for dry-land farming and R1000
for game parks and tourism.
Pressure on ecosystems
Leading to soil erosion, litter pollution,
declining animal numbers.
Employment
Unskilled, seasonal, part-time and
poorly paid, lacking rights.
Resources
Are spent on providing for tourists
while local people may have to
go without.
Profits
Going to overseas companies (CB),
tour operators and hotel chains.
Crime
Is increasingly directed at tourists;
much is petty crime, some incidents.
Unpredictability
Varying with the strength of the
economy, cost, safety, opportunities.