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Agritourism and local economic development in South Africa

Author(s): Christian Rogerson,Jayne M. Rogerson / Language(s): English Issue: 26/2014

The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topicof critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourismis a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of researchissues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandateof local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growingbody of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have beenoverlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which istargeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of internationalscholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implicationsfor LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presentedwhich shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significancefor small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourismspaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driverfor LED in South Africa.

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Regional development of Saldanha Bay region, South Africa: The role of Saldanha Steel

Author(s): Lesley Welman,Sanette Ferreira / Language(s): English Issue: 26/2014

Since 1970 the Saldanha Bay region on the West Coast of the Western Cape Province has been high on South Africa's national development agenda. The region has been struggling for years to meet the preconditions for economic take-off. In this analysis the Saldanha Bay region is positioned in the contexts of global competition among steel-producing countries, South Africa's national development plan and the Greater Cape Town functional region. The aim is to explain the nature and extent of the relationship between a single secondary industry - ArcelorMittal Saldanha - and the economic development of the larger Saldanha region. Following a brief introduction and background to the Saldanha Bay region, the evolutionary economic geography (EEG) approach and the role of institutions in the development of regions are reviewed. Saldanha Steel (ArcelorMittal), the pioneer industrial firm, is analysed by using a mixed-method approached, where semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey are the main research instruments. The contribution of Saldanha Steel to regional development is explored.

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Local tourism initiative in an eastern Himalayan village: sustainable ecotourism or small-scale nature exploitation?

Author(s): Debajit Datta,Suranjana Banerji / Language(s): English Issue: 27/2015

Many famous tourism destinations of the eastern Himalayas have become severely polluted and environmentally vulnerable due to decades of unsustainable mass tourism practices. The recent popularization of the so called 'ecotourism destinations' as alternatives to these degraded sites have raised considerable debate among academia, planners and decision makers regarding community based development and environmental conservation. In this study, the newly initiated tourism ventures of a mountainous village named Silerigaon located in this region were evaluated as a case study through participatory appraisals among tourists and local residents to comprehend whether these ventures could truly be termed as ecotourism initiatives. Results derived from the analyses of the primary data collected through these appraisals showed that although the area possessed pristine natural environment and excellent scenic beauty, lack of proper civic amenities and physical infrastructure was hindering the development of sustainable tourism. Here, tourism activities had notably contributed to the increase in annual savings of community members but these financial gains had not equally transcended to all spheres of sustainable community based development. Till now, the activities have lacked the systematic long-term planning required for sustainable ecotourism and nature conservation. Accordingly, these could not be designated as ecotourism activities in their present orientation and capacity. In this regard, several necessary corrective measures to transform these activities into proper ecotourism ones have been suggested.

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Catering for large numbers of tourists: the McDonaldization of casual dining in Kruger National Park

Author(s): Sanette Ferreira,Gesina Van Zyl / Language(s): English Issue: 33/2016

Since 2002 Kruger National Park (KNP) has subjected to a commercialisation strategy. Regarding income generation, SANParks (1) sees KNP as the goose that lays the golden eggs. As part of SANParks' commercialisation strategy and in response to providing services that are efficient, predictable and calculable for a large number of tourists, SANParks has allowed well-known branded restaurants to be established in certain rest camps in KNP. This innovation has raised a range of different concerns and opinions among the public. This paper investigates the what and the where of casual dining experiences in KNP; describes how the catering services have evolved over the last 70 years; and evaluates current visitor perceptions of the introduction of franchised restaurants in the park. The main research instrument was a questionnaire survey. Survey findings confirmed that restaurant managers, park managers and visitors recognise franchised restaurants as positive contributors to the unique KNP experience. Park managers appraised the franchised restaurants as mechanisms for funding conservation.

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Analysing the tourism activity of seniors by applying the method of participant observation

Author(s): Zbigniew Głąbiński / Language(s): English Issue: 33/2016

Issues concerning seniors' participation in tourism have been of increasing interest to many researchers. This results from their dynamic growth in the world's most developed societies which, together with cultural changes, contributes to greater participation in various forms of tourism. So far, this phenomenon has been examined by applying quantitative methods, surveys being the most common. Some researchers state that qualitative methods may also be of great use in the analysis of tourist behaviour. Therefore, this article aims at presenting the methodological conditions of participant observation as a qualitative method for analysing such behaviour. Its use is exemplified by research findings on Polish seniors conducted among participants of package tours to various European countries. It presents observations concerning their behaviour in both time and space. Special attention was paid to seniors' motives and the forms of tourism those motives led to.

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Community-based tourism in practice: evidence from three coastal communities in Bohuslän, Sweden

Author(s): Kristina N. Lindström,Mia Larson / Language(s): English Issue: 33/2016

Local involvement in tourism development is defined as a key issue for sustainable tourism, however it is often questioned and less seldom implemented in reality. Reasons behind this condition are lack of knowledge and practical experience on community-based tourism as a bottom-up approach. In this paper it is argued that local involvement in tourism development is both a democratic right and a strategic destination management tool. The paper scrutinizes a process of collaboration and local participation in a tourism development project within three coastal communities on the Swedish West Coast. A mixed-methods approach was employed in the project with the specific aim of investigating attitudes to the community and tourism development and of involving community stakeholders in exploring alternative avenues of tourism development. The article describes four phases of the process of local involvement in a tourism development project: step 1, formation of a representative project group and negotiation of community-based approach; step 2, consulting local stakeholders and employing a mixed-methods approach; step 3, elaborating results with local stakeholders; step 4, increased community collaboration.

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Suburbanization and local governance - positive and negative forms: Olomouc case study

Author(s): Petr Kladivo,Pavel Roubínek,Zdeněk Opravil,Martina Nesvadbová / Language(s): English Issue: 27/2015

Over the previous 15-20 years (in Czech conditions), suburban processes have substantially influenced the appearance and transformation of municipalities on the fringe of larger cities. And it is not only the morphology of the municipality structure (new housing estates and their urban as well as architectural solutions) that has undergone the transformation, but also the functions municipalities have started to fulfil (the development of civic amenities and services). After such a long period of time, we are capable of identifying negative as well as positive impacts of suburban processes on municipalities, and evaluating the role of local actors (with regard to local governance) in the shaping of suburbias and their appearance (the area urban solution, infrastructure, architecture in terms of housing appearance, etc.). We are also capable of assessing new construction sites based on their location or appearance (housing naturally complementing or suitably extending the municipality built-up area, or, on the contrary, a satellite housing estate built "on a greenfield site"), social climate between old residents and newcomers, etc. The goal of the paper is to present the most significant aspects that have had influence on new housing construction in suburban zone municipalities, and to describe differences in the application of the concept of local governance (at the lowest - microregional, or possibly municipal tier) in positively impacted municipalities as compared with those affected rather negatively. Concentrating on the city of Olomouc and its suburban zone in greater detail, the study shall also outline expected future development.

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Unpacking the geography of tourism innovation in Western Cape Province, South Africa

Author(s): Irma Booyens,Christian M. Rogerson / Language(s): English Issue: 31/2016

This paper interrogates the geography of tourism innovation in the Western Cape, South Africa. In particular, innovations by tourism firms are mapped and local tourism innovation networks are analysed. Networking behaviour is examined since it is regarded as indispensable for accessing knowledge and learning for innovation purposes. The analysis draws on a broader investigation of tourism innovation and networking within the Western Cape province. It is revealed that the main tourist regions in the Western Cape are also the most innovative. Whilst external networking relations are observed to be highly significant for tourism innovation, local embeddedness remains critical for stimulating path creation and exploiting local core competencies for the competitiveness and survival of tourism firms and destinations.

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Disjunct perceptions? Climate change threats in two-low lying South African coastal towns

Author(s): Gijsbert Hoogendoorn,Bronwyn Grant,Jennifer M. Fitchett / Language(s): English Issue: 31/2016

Coastal towns rely heavily on the quality and expanse of their beaches to attract tourists. Climate is an important tourism determinant, controlling the length and timing of peak arrivals. South African tourism is particularly reliant on these factors. Perceptions of tourists and tourist accommodation establishment regarding climate change threats to tourism are explored for the towns of St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis. Tourism accommodation establishments were predominantly concerned with day-to-day changes in weather, investing in small-scale infrastructural changes to improve the comfort of their guests. By contrast, tourists demonstrated greater concern for the risk of flooding, sea-level rise and the degeneration of the beaches. This reflects concerning disjunctures between perceptions of tourists and accommodation establishments regarding climate change threats. This may portray to tourists insufficient investment in adaptation at accommodation establishments, resulting in decreased tourist visitations in the short-term in favour of destinations perceived as better prepared.

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Added value from European Territorial Co-operation: the impact of demographic change in the Alps on the young

Author(s): Naja Marot,Damjana Gantar,Barbara Černič Mali / Language(s): English Issue: 30/2015

The article sets demographic change in the Alps in the framework of European Territorial Cooperation programs . A statistical overview of selected regions in five Alpine countries serves as a basis for further policy analysis. The latter was undertaken to reveal how transnational projects tackle youth issues, including the difficulties within the labour and real estate markets that appeared to be the most problematic factors influencing (out) migration of the youth. While there is only a minor recognition of the young in current policy making on supranational, regional and local levels, the analysis showed that the added value of transnational programs for mountain regions and localities can be recognized in the development of multi-stakeholder environments, creating and transferring new solutions for the labour market as well as empowering youth participation in policy processes. However, the extent to which these solutions might contribute to overcoming the challenges of demographic change because of transnational programs is limited by various factors. Among these are the precise governance framework, administrative capacity, and population figures.

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Obiekty militarne na obszarach wiejskich jako produkt regionalnej turystyki

Author(s): Piotr Godlewski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 21/2015

Poland shows a considerable potential as regards military tourism. Many historical facilities are situated in rural areas. Among these attractive are those mat were built by the Germans during WW2. The largest number i3 found in western provinces, mainly Zachodniopomorskie and Lubuskie опез. Currently, a vital issue is their regeneration and development of these facilities to tourist ends, and, then, to use them as tourist at-tractions. It can be predicted that once developed, these facilities may contribute to a growth in cultural and military tourism, not only on a country-wide scale, but may make for an attractive destination on a European or worldwide scale. The paper accounts for issues in military facilities tourism in rural areas seen asa regional touristic product basing on an example of military tourism in Lubuskie province. The author relies chiefly on review of documents. The information contained in the paper may be practically used to build a product strategy as regards the development of military tourism.

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Integrated reporting vs. sustainability reporting for corporate responsibility in South Africa

Author(s): Alexandra Clayton,Jayne M. Rogerson,Isaac Rampedi / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2015

Large corporates have come under increasing pressure to conduct their business in a more transparent and responsible manner. In order for business to fulfil its obligations under the ethic of accountability stakeholders must be given relevant, timely, and understandable information about their activities through corporate reports. The conventional company reports on annual financial performance, sustainability and governance disclosures often fail to make the connection between the organisation's strategy, its financial results and performance on environmental, social and governance issues. Recognising the inherent shortcomings of existing reporting models, there is a growing trend to move towards integrated reporting. South Africa has been one of the most innovative countries in terms of integrated corporate reporting. Since 2010 companies primarily listed on the country's major stock exchange have been required to produce an integrated report as opposed to the former sustainability report. The aim in this study is to review the development of integrated reporting by large corporates in South Africa and assess the impact of the required transition from sustainability reporting to integrated reporting on non-financial disclosure of eight South African corporates using content analysis of annual reports.

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New Tourist Service Based on Virtual Reality Glasses in the Town of Miskolc, Hungary

Author(s): Júlia Nagy,Zsolt László Márkus,Gábor Kaposi,György Szántó,Tibor Szkaliczki,Norbert Vass / Language(s): English Issue: VI/2016

The paper presents how the VR technology helps tourists in selecting their destinations. The current state-of-the-art service is the result of systematic development activities which has become available in the tourist information office (Tourinform) in the town of Miskolc. The visitors can discover the local sights either on the Web site of the tourist organisation, or in the GUIDE@HAND Miskolc smart phone application, or from now on, in a virtual space due to the Virtual Reality (VR) technology with the help of 3D VR glasses and spherical panorama pictures.

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Kulturno značenje grada Varaždina

Author(s): Lana Gotal / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 25/2014

In this work the author gives us the review of the cultural heritage of the town of Varaždin which has been fostered and reflected on its cultural identity for centuries. The first part of the author’s work deals with the major cultural and historical buildings, which through the arhitecture and the style of building blend magnificently with the rich history of Varaždin. Among the architectural pearls the special place is taken by the Old town, the feudal fortress which has served for years as a fortification in the many battles against the Turks, giving the town the status of significant fortifying centre. The old town centre abounds in numerous palaces and villas which are remarkable for their Baroque, Rococo and Classicist styles as well as imposing churches which give the town a sacral note. The second part of this work brings the review of the most prominent town squares and promenades, the bearers of the true identity of the town, among which the author singles out Varaždin’s cemetery constructed according to Herman Haller’s ideas. The third part of this work has to do with the current offers of social events that are of a great significance for the town, the most prominent being the festival of baroque music called the Varaždin Baroque Evenings. On this festival, with its age-long tradition, the musicians have been performing music by the most prominent composers thus representing the town on the world’s music scale. The last part of this work deals with the possibilities of development and promotion of the town’s cultural tourism, having in mind the new projects and ideas which, through their originality and attractiveness, contribute to the entire cultural offer of the town.

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Revitalizacija koprivničke renesansne tvrđave: problemi, mogućnosti i smjernice

Author(s): Robert Čimin / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 26/2015

The Renaissance fortress in Koprivnica is one of the most valuable cultural and historical monuments of defensive characteristics in Northern Croatia. Unfortunately, her remains were preserved only partially in their southeastern part and it consist only the southern City Gate with the Đurđevac bastion, a large moat and two ravelins. In the last 20 years there was a few attempting to start the revitalization of its remains. In the same purpose Koprivnica Town Museum has carry out archeological researches during the 2012 and 2013. It was collected a numerous previously unknown informations about building a wooden-earthen fortress, as well as some information about the life of the medieval citizens of Koprivnica. At the same time appeared certain problems in urban, spatial and cultural re-evaluation of this part of the city of Koprivnica and the need to fill out a various contents in this area. Possible potential that revitalized fortress in Koprivnica could got should overcome such obstacles, all in a creation of tourism brand of “free, royal and capital city of Koprivnica”.

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Postgraduate training of the specialists in tourism sector

Author(s): Kateryna Babikova / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

Purpose. The article highlights the features and value of postgraduate training in the field of tourism. An important step to improve the efficiency and quality of tourism is an organization of professional preparation, training and retraining of professionals working in this field. Methods. As the tourism market is extremely dynamic, diversified and fleeting, only a systematic and continuous development of knowledge workers will ensure the adaptability and flexibility of the tourism business. Given the current educational trends in continuing education consider necessary to implement training for the tourism business training. Postgraduate seminar training allows employees to tourism businesses to gain new knowledge and skills, to master modern information technologies in tourism, new approaches to master the organization and management tourism activity. Results: Attention is paid to the basic concept of professional development and professional training – the professional development specialists forms professional development of tourism industry professionals and training in such forms as short-term training, self-study, internships, field education, informative tour.

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Measuring Hotel Financial and Non-Financial Performance in Thailand: The Application of Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework

Author(s): Chanin Yoopetch,Tarittawan Chareanporn / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2024

Guided by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the current study aims to test the impacts of organizational factors, technological factors, and environmental factors on the financial and non-financial performance (or goals) of hospitality firms. Unlike several empirical studies in the past, this study attempted to compare the effects of these factors on financial and non-financial performances. The authors proposed the contributions with clearer and more specific recommendations and a greater understanding of how managers can improve and adjust their strategic plan and implementation to achieve long-term firm performance. The data analysis was structural equation modeling. Prior to the data analysis, reliability and validity tests were conducted to certify the quality of the data. After screening the data carefully, based on 350 hospitality firms in Thailand, including 3–5-star hotels in Thailand representing all parts of the country, the results indicated that organizational factors and technological factors had significant effects on both financial and non-financial performance. The environmental factor demonstrated no significant effect on financial and non-financial performance. Moreover, for the theoretical contribution, this study provided empirical research by applying the TOE framework in the context of the hospitality industry, presenting that organizational factors and technological factors had significant impacts on the firm performance. Discussion with the past literature provided deeper insights into the findings. Research conclusions and practical recommendations were also provided.

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Foreign Locals: Myth or Reality

Author(s): Farida Saleem / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2024

Multinational corporations depend predominantly on staff from the country where their international operations are, yet more international business literature is needed to target these employees. The literature has referred to them as “host-country nationals” (HCNs), and this label gives them an individuality strongly related to their home country's culture. Caprar (2011) identified these HCNs as foreign locals. This study examines the impact of four cultural dimensions, i.e., power distance, masculinity vs. femininity, individualism vs. collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance, on employee’s perceived performance and innovativeness and how the foreign locals influence this impact as a moderator. Data were collected from Pakistani employees working in one Pakistani and one Norwegianbased MNE (multinational enterprise). The structural Equation Modeling technique using the maximum likelihood method was used for data analysis. Results show that foreign locals moderate the proposed relationships. These relationships are less stronger and/or insignificant for Pakistani employees working in Pakistani organizations and are significant and/or more-stronger for Pakistani employees working in Norwegian MNE.

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Meanings and Uses of Material Cultural Heritage in the Town of Hvar

Author(s): Jasna Čapo / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2024

The article takes issue with the distinction between tangible and intangible heritage and the duality between the symbolic and instrumental (profit-generating) value of heritage. Based on ethnographic research in a tourist destination on the Croatian coast, the article interrogates what happens when built culture and urban public spaces are still part of living culture in a locality. It demonstrates dissonant meanings and uses of heritage that arise from the intangible and socially constructed nature of material heritage for local users. Beyond the symbolic and instrumental meanings and uses of heritage, its societal, experiential meaning is underlined as it is a part of living societal culture that is consumed on a daily basis. In the end, the article reflects on the limits of local community engagement in heritage processes.

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POST PANDEMIC TRAVEL INTENTIONS: THE POWER OF FEARS AND CHANGES IN TRAVELLER BEHAVIOUR

Author(s): Marija Stevanović,Jelena Gajić / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

The post-pandemic period has seen large financial losses in the economy of the entire world, but particularly in the tourism industry. Covid-19 significantly influenced changes in the behaviour of tourists, including the increasing level of health risk perception. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of health risk perception on the intentions and travel decisions of Serbian tourists after the Covid-19 pandemic. The importance of the research lies in the intention to determine whether there is a difference in the perception of health risks based on demographic and economic variables. The results of the empirical research conducted on the territory of the Republic of Serbia indicate that age and the level of income are two significant predictors of fears and intentions to travel after the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the results, it will be possible to predict future tourist movements in Serbia and abroad, taking into account the changes in the behaviour of tourists in the post-pandemic period.

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