9 research outputs found
Bridging policy and practice: Governance and sustainability of community-based homestays in South Africa
No full textTourism is increasingly recognised as a catalyst for inclusive development in the Global South. In South Africa, community-based homestays (CBHs) empower rural communities while conserving cultural and environmental assets, yet implementation remains uneven. This study examines the governance and sustainability of CBHs through a case study of the Makwarani village in Limpopo Province. Using an interpretivist qualitative design, ten semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically within Collaborative Governance, Social Exchange, and Sustainable Livelihoods frameworks. Findings reveal that tourism both preserves and commercialises local culture, generates seasonal income, and fosters social cohesion while also producing inequality, environmental strain, and governance fragmentation. Participants stressed the need for equitable benefit-sharing, strong institutional coordination, and community participation. The study concludes that inclusive governance, capacity development, and collaborative management are essential to bridge the policy–practice gap and achieve sustainable, community-driven tourism in South Africa
Sustainability of South African Homestays: an integrated approach for Tourism and Hospitality Development
No full textPhD (Tourism and Hospitality Management)Department of Tourism and Hospitality ManagementThis study aimed to develop a framework for enhancing the sustainability of homestays in South Africa, addressing the lack of standardized quality control and certification programs. This absence leads to inconsistent service quality, making it difficult for tourists to set clear expectations. The research assessed the current state of homestays by profiling various types through online surveys, including web pages and social media platforms like Facebook. A case study approach was used to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social factors influencing homestay sustainability. Six homestays (two per province—urban and rural) across three provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal) were selected for in-depth interviews. Surveys were conducted with 120 households near each homestay to examine local community perceptions.
The findings revealed the need for government intervention to establish clear policies for regulating homestay standards. This would address inconsistencies and improve service quality and sustainability. The study also emphasized the importance of adopting responsible environmental practices, such as solar energy, sustainable water management, and better waste disposal systems, to mitigate long-term environmental damage. It recommended training programs to encourage sustainable tourism practices among homestay operators. The research further identified the vulnerability of homestays to climate change, particularly in rural, ecologically sensitive areas. Strategies to enhance climate resilience, such as eco-friendly infrastructure and disaster preparedness, were suggested. Additionally, technological challenges were identified, particularly in rural areas where limited access to digital platforms restricts marketing efforts. The study recommended capacity-building initiatives to improve the visibility and profitability of homestays through digital marketing and online platforms.
Regarding community perceptions, the study found that local communities generally viewed homestays positively, with no major social or economic changes observed. However, the study suggests further research, including structured surveys targeting various community groups, to assess the broader impacts of homestays on the economy, society, and environment
Operationalising Sustainability: A Framework for Enhancing Community-Based Homestays in South Africa
No full textCommunity-based homestays are growing as alternative accommodation providers in South Africa. They promote cultural exchange, decentralise tourism benefits, and support rural development. However, dominant sustainability models in tourism still focus mainly on economic outcomes. They do not fully address the institutional, socio-cultural, and environmental factors that shape the resilience of homestay ventures. The objective of this paper is to develop a multidimensional framework that captures these broader dimensions of sustainability for community-based homestays. The paper is grounded in conceptual approach and uses a mixed method design. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected in three South African provinces, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The results present a four-dimensional sustainability framework. The dimensions include economic viability, socio-cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and institutional support. The framework demonstrates the need for coordinated strategies that respond to national priorities and global sustainability agendas. The implications of the study are significant for policy-makers, tourism planners, and homestay operators. The framework reframes sustainability as a systemic and multi-level concept that supports inclusive tourism development in the Global South. Further empirical research is recommended to refine the model and guide its application in real-world contexts
A temetkezési utazók viselkedési szándékainak előrejelzése a turisztikai termékek és szolgáltatások fogyasztására vonatkozóan
No full textFuneral tourism has emerged as a culturally significant yet underexplored form of domestic travel in South Africa. This study empirically investigated the behavioural intentions of funeral travellers to consume tourism-related products and services, focusing on accommodation, transport, and food and beverage. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 509 respondents across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng provinces. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to test hypothesised relationships. Results demonstrated that all three predictors significantly influenced behavioural intention, explaining 51% of the variance. Accommodation consumption had the strongest positive effect, followed by food and beverage, and transport. These findings highlight that funeral travellers engage not only in cultural practices but also in economic consumption that supports the broader tourism value chain. The study contributes to the theoretical framing of funeral tourism within the discourse of dark and cultural tourism while offering practical insights for tourism planners and service providers to design culturally sensitive, affordable, and accessible services. Future research should expand the geographic scope and adopt mixed-method approaches to deepen understanding of funeral tourism’s socio-economic impact.A temetkezési turizmus kulturálisan jelentős, mégis kevéssé feltárt belföldi utazási formává vált Dél-Afrikában. Ez a tanulmány empirikusan vizsgálta a temetkezési utazók viselkedési szándékait a turisztikai termékek és szolgáltatások fogyasztására vonatkozóan, különös tekintettel a szállásra, a közlekedésre, valamint az ételekre és italokra. A szerzők vantitatív megközelítést alkalmaztak egy strukturált kérdőív segítségével, amelyet 509 válaszadónak adtak ki Limpopo, Mpumalanga és Gauteng tartományokban. Strukturális egyenletmodellezést (SEM) alkalmaztak a hipotézisek közötti kapcsolatok tesztelésére. Az eredmények azt mutatták, hogy mindhárom prediktor szignifikánsan befolyásolta a viselkedési szándékot, a variancia 51%-át magyarázva. A legerősebb pozitív hatást a szállásfogyasztás fejtette ki, ezt követte az étel és ital, valamint a közlekedés. Ezek az eredmények rávilágítanak arra, hogy a temetkezési utazók nemcsak kulturális tevékenységekben, hanem a fogyasztásban is részt vesznek, ami támogatja a tágabb turisztikai értékláncot. A tanulmány hozzájárul a temetkezési turizmus elméleti keretezéséhez a sötét és kulturális turizmus diskurzusán belül, miközben gyakorlati betekintést nyújt a turisztikai tervezők és szolgáltatók számára a kulturálisan érzékeny, megfizethető és hozzáférhető szolgáltatások megtervezéséhez. A jövőbeli kutatásoknak ki kell terjeszteniük a földrajzi hatókört, és vegyes módszerű megközelítéseket kell alkalmazniuk a temetkezési turizmus társadalmi-gazdasági hatásának mélyebb megértése érdekében
Perception of Service Quality: Voices of Guests and Lodge Managers in Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa.
No full textOver the past decade the proliferation of lodging establishments in Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa, has intensified competition within the sector, which is threatening the survival of many of the businesses. As a result, lodging establishment businesses are continuously searching for strategies to maintain their market share in a tricky environment. Given the high service nature of the hospitality sector, managers seek to improve customers’ experience and service offering. The current study
presents the results of an investigation into managers’ and guests’ perceptions of service quality in one municipal district in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and the ways in which service quality can lead to customer satisfaction. A qualitative study was designed to collect data, through semi-structured interviews, from three lodging establishments as well as from five guests. The study found managers to be perceiving satisfaction as being highly influenced by tangibles. On the other hand, guests were
also observed to attribute satisfaction to both tangible and intangible factors, including employees’ attitudes, and to ‘ambience’. Despite this revelation shared with them, lodging establishment managers appeared to lack the urgency to prioritise employee training as a measure to enhance employee attitudes. The implications of the study are many. Firstly, managers need to invest more resources towards employee training. Secondly, tangible factors such as improving the environment and
ambience, are likely to enhance guests’ (intangible) emotional experiences
Temetkezési turizmus a Dél-afrikai Köztársaság északi részén
No full textVisiting friends and relatives (VFR) accounts for a substantial part of tourism in South Africa, including in the former homeland areas that are not considered as significant tourism destination in the northern part of the country. One reason why people visit their friends and relatives is to participate in funeral rites and services, which is rarely explored in tourism literature. This study focuses on funerals in the northern part of South Africa and their connection to tourism. The patterns of funeral rites demonstrate that several local tourism amenities benefit from the spike in demand for their services by the visitors. In official statistical reports, travelling because of a funeral is reported separately from VFR, and on that basis, it is necessary but not sufficient to classify it as funeral tourism. We make an argument that a sufficient definition of funeral tourism must allow for other people who may not be relatives and friends – that is, tourists – to experience the funerals of these tribes.A barátok és rokonok szülőföldre történő hazalátogatása (VFR) a dél-afrikai turizmus egyik jelentős ágazatát képviseli, beleértve az ország északi részét is, amely egyébként nem számít számottevő turisztikai célpontnak. A baráti és rokonlátogatások egyik célja a temetési szertartásokon való részvétel. A turisztikai szakirodalomban ezen utazási motiváció vizsgálatára ezidáig csak szűk körben került sor. Jelen tanulmány a Dél-afrikai Köztársaság északi részén zajló temetések turisztikai vonatkozásaira összpontosít. A temetési szertartások területi mintázatai azt mutatják, hogy számos helyi turisztikai szolgáltatás profitál abból, hogy a temetéseken részt vevő látogatóknak köszönhetően a szolgáltatásaik iránt kereslet megnövekedett. A statisztikai jelentésekben a temetésekre történő utazás a VFR kategóriától elkülönítve szerepel, ebből következően szükséges lenne azt a temetkezési turizmus kategóriájába sorolni. Ezen túl azzal érvelünk, hogy a temetkezési turizmus résztvevőinek körébe a rokonokon és barátokon kívül az egyéb látogatókat, azaz az érintett szűkebb közösségen kívül álló turistákat is be kellene vonni, akik számára a törzsi temetések rituáléja önálló turisztikai élményt jelenthet
Religiously Motivated Travel and Rural Tourism in Vhembe District of South Africa
No full textThe study investigated the socio-economic impact of religious tourism (UAAC gathering) on the local tourism industry and on surrounding rural communities in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) of South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data on pilgrims (visitors), businesses, and residents during, and immediately after the event. Statistical techniques were used to analyse the data to gain insight into the data as basis for answering the research questions posed in this study. The results revealed that majority of the pilgrims to the UAAC gathering were from the host province of Limpopo. Also, most pilgrims travel to the pilgrimage site solely for religious reasons. Another significant finding is that the average spending per pilgrim by pilgrims from the rest of South Africa is larger than their Limpopo and foreign pilgrim counterparts. Furthermore, the results showed that while businesses were positive about the pilgrimage’s contribution to increased sales from their businesses, they at the same time opined that the event does not generate any additional employment. This could be because out of every R100 of pilgrims spending only R2.16 remains in the local economy through leakages. Finally an important finding of the study is overall consensus among residents that the annual pilgrimage gathering promotes morality, improved socialization as well as a sense of feeling good and proud of their community
Religiously Motivated Travel and Rural Tourism in Vhembe District of South Africa
No full textAbstract. The study investigated the socio-economic impact of religious tourism (UAAC gathering) on the local tourism industry and on surrounding rural communities in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) of South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data on pilgrims (visitors), businesses, and residents during, and immediately after the event. Statistical techniques were used to analyse the data to gain insight into the data as basis for answering the research questions posed in this study. The results revealed that majority of the pilgrims to the UAAC gathering were from the host province of Limpopo. Also, most pilgrims travel to the pilgrimage site solely for religious reasons. Another significant finding is that the average spending per pilgrim by pilgrims from the rest of South Africa is larger than their Limpopo and foreign pilgrim counterparts. Furthermore, the results showed that while businesses were positive about the pilgrimage’s contribution to increased sales from their businesses, they at the same time opined that the event does not generate any additional employment. This could be because out of every R100 of pilgrims spending only R2.16 remains in the local economy through leakages. Finally an important finding of the study is overall consensus among residents that the annual pilgrimage gathering promotes morality, improved socialization as well as a sense of feeling good and proud of their community.
Religiously Motivated Travel and Rural Tourism in Vhembe District of South Africa
No full textThe study investigated the socio-economic impact of religious tourism (UAAC gathering) on the local tourism industry and on surrounding rural communities in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) of South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data on pilgrims (visitors), businesses, and residents during, and immediately after the event. Statistical techniques were used to analyse the data to gain insight into the data as basis for answering the research questions posed in this study. The results revealed that majority of the pilgrims to the UAAC gathering were from the host province of Limpopo. Also, most pilgrims travel to the pilgrimage site solely for religious reasons. Another significant finding is that the average spending per pilgrim by pilgrims from the rest of South Africa is larger than their Limpopo and foreign pilgrim counterparts. Furthermore, the results showed that while businesses were positive about the pilgrimage’s contribution to increased sales from their businesses, they at the same time opined that the event does not generate any additional employment. This could be because out of every R100 of pilgrims spending only R2.16 remains in the local economy through leakages. Finally an important finding of the study is overall consensus among residents that the annual pilgrimage gathering promotes morality, improved socialization as well as a sense of feeling good and proud of their community
