Hospitality, Tourism and Public Relations

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Browsing Hospitality, Tourism and Public Relations by Author "Dube, K., Prof."

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    An examination of climate change impacts on coastal tourism in Durban, South Africa
    (Vaal University of Technology, 2022-10) Mgadle, Aphelele; Lekaota, L., Prof.; Dube, K., Prof.
    Coastal communities are facing several environmental and developmental challenges. As the Decade of Sustainable Development Goals Action aimed at ensuring delivery of the aspirations set out in Agenda 2030 draws closer, a parallel initiative has been made on oceans. In 2018 the United Nations launched the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030), aimed at exploring the challenges faced by oceans and coastal communities. Given Operations Phakisa's well-documented socio-economic significance of oceans in South Africa, it is crucial to understand how climate change affects the country’s coastal tourism to inform policy and practice going forward. This study examined climate change impacts on coastal tourism in Durban. It used archival data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, primary data collected from key informant interviews (n=10), and an online questionnaire (n=302). Data analysis was done using XLSTAT 2021, Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis, Question-Pro Analytics and content and thematic analysis. The study found that extreme weather events such as rising sea levels, increases in tidal activity, coastal flooding and heat waves are identifiable threats to Durban’s future as a tourist destination. The study also found that sea level rise, sea surges, coastal storms, and high tides are worsening the challenge of beach erosion and coastal flooding, threatening tourism infrastructure in the process. In response, the eThekwini Municipality has embarked on response initiatives which include beach nourishment programmes, dune restoration and coastal defence mechanisms to conserve the beachfront and hopefully ensure coastal tourism sustainability. To assist such efforts, this study recommends educational support by civil society and government to sensitise and improve climate change understanding from a tourism perspective to ensure the sector’s adaptation and resilience. It also recommends public-private partnerships for the protection of coastal tourism infrastructure. Lastly, given the apparent threat of sea-level rise along Africa and South Africa’s coastlines, the study advocates a de-risked approach to constructing tourism properties.
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    Determining South African National Parks' contribution to sustainable development goals in host communities: A case study of Kruger National Park
    (Vaal University of Technology, 2023-03) Mabibibi, Mashudu Andra; Thwala, K. C., Dr.; Dube, K., Prof.
    The study examines and evaluates the Kruger National Park’s role in assisting its host communities to meet their Sustainable Development Goals agenda. The study is triggered by the fact that the tourism industry is criticised for its unsustainable practices and exploitative proclivities. The existence of knowledge gaps on how the KNP operations and activities fullfil and lead to the realisation of SDGs, therefore, warrants research so as to generate information and strategies that are beneficial not only to the KNP only, but also to the communities that are located in its proximity. The study conducted between March and October 2021, used a case study reseach design in a mixed method approach to answer the research questions. The emperical work comprised of in-depth interviews (=30) with key informants identified by KNP gatekeppers; surveys (=70) with community members; a secondary literatire review; and observations of community projects done by host communities - artefacts sold within and outside the park, infrastructure developments in communities and agricultural practices in host communities. Thematic analysis was used to catergorise the data according to the corresponding SDG categories. The study found that despite hurdles such as climate change, diminished funding, and COVID-19, among other such factors, the Kruger National Park aided communities in meeting at least 15 of the 17 SDGs goals. The various projects of the KNP address all the SDGs except for SDG7 on affordable and clean energy and SDG 14 on life below water where no identified project could be directly linked to those SDGs. It was also found that some of the KNP’s flagship projects were ensuring economic emancipation, delivering quality education, and alleviating poverty and inequality, all of which interlink with conservation and environmental protection. The projects have also fostered some sense of ownership by local communities, a move which has helped improve relations between the park and host communities. The study recommends continuous monitoring of the role that protected areas can play in addressing the 17 SDGs. Continuous monitoring will allow for necessary interventions to be made at the policy and practical levels.
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    Determining stakeholders' perceptions regarding the impacts of world heritage sites: A case study in Vredefort, Free State
    (Vaal University of Technology, 2022-08-15) Ngidi, Khanyisile Mbali Nicolet; Dube, K., Prof.; Lekaota, L., Prof.
    Tourism is the sum of phenomena and activities that arise from persons travelling to and staying in locations outside their usual place of residence for not more than one consecutive year. Tourism has impacts, which strongly affect an environment and society; hence, stakeholder’s perceptions on tourism impacts are important. The tourism industry’s impacts are usually classified into three categories, namely economic, environmental and socio-cultural, which are known as the triple-bottom line concept. The main aim of this study was to determine the stakeholder’s perceptions regarding the tourism impacts of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site (WHS) in the Free State province, South Africa. This study was quantitative in nature and followed descriptive research design, specifically a single-cross sectional study. A non-probability purposive sampling technique for the collection of data from government officials and the tourism businesses owners was used, while convenience sampling technique for the tourists and the local communities was also followed. Based on the results, the local communities’ respondents indicated minimal economic benefits from the WHS, while the tourists, tourism businesses owners and government officials slightly agreed to the presence of economic support and benefits. Based on the environmental impacts both the local communities and tourism business owners strongly agreed with the poor planning and management of the WHS. In terms of the socio-cultural findings, the local communities expressed their despondency towards the positive socio-cultural impact, while the tourist and business owners had neutral perceptions towards the socio-cultural benefits. The results show a strong relationship between stakeholder’s perceptions and the degree of awareness and participation/involvement of stakeholders in relation to tourism impacts. The study concludes that the local communities do not benefit economically, environmentally and socio-culturally from the Vredefort Dome WHS. The study also concludes that there is a relationship between awareness, participation/involvement and the perceptions created regarding tourism impacts. It is recommended that educational training and awareness should be adopted by the local municipality to change the local communities’ perceptions regarding tourism.
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    Determining tourism climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies at a selected private game reserve in South Africa
    (Vaal University of Technology, 2022-01-14) Sibitane, Zinzi Eugene; Lekaota, L., Prof.; Dube, K., Prof.
    Background Climate change is a significant threat that affects the natural environment and the industries dependent on it for their livelihoods, such as coastal and nature-based tourism. Regardless of this knowledge, vast knowledge gaps still exist regarding how climate variability and change affect nature tourism operations and response strategies. Aim This study aims to determine tourism climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies at one of the leading private game reserves in South Africa, Phinda Private Game Reserve. Methodology The study adopted the pragmatism philosophy, which informed the use of the mixed methods research design. Data collection was conducted at Phinda Private Game Reserve in May 2021. The data was collected through field observations, in-depth interviews with Phinda Private Game Reserve staff, archival and secondary data analysis. Primary data were analysed using qualitative data techniques, which followed an interactive content and thematic analysis process. Secondary data was analysed using content analysis, whereas trend analysis was applied to archival data (climate data). Using Mann Kendall Trend Analysis, trend analysis was analysed to track climatic trends such as climate variability and change and test their significance. Results and discussion The study identified several vital climatic challenges attributed to climate variability and change, increasing temperature, and extreme rainfall, resulting in localised flooding and droughts. These climatic threats have resulted in challenges for tourism operations ranging from disturbed sleep for tourism employees, dying off birds due to extreme heat, destruction of infrastructure, loss of biodiversity, water shortages and other such challenges over the last couple of years. The lodge has responded by adopting climate change mitigation adaption strategies to address carbon risk and extreme weather events. Measures adopted by the reserve include adopting measures aimed at reducing the company’s carbon footprint and protecting tourism infrastructure from the damaging impacts of extreme weather events. Recommendations The study recommends adopting additional measures to deal with its carbon footprint, such as investing in renewable energy as part of its mitigation strategy and continuing its research in biodiversity conservation, which can offer a solution to species protection in the context of climate change. The study also recommends continued research and monitoring of climate change impacts and tourism response, given the continued shift in the climate in the region.
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    Investigating impacts of climate change and responses of botanical gardens in Gauteng province
    (Vaal University of Technology, 2022-08-02) Mosia, Malehloa; Labuschagne, V., Dr.; Dube, K., Prof.
    Worldwide, botanical gardens are used as critical recreational centres for urban tourism, where people can relax and learn about flora. Botanical gardens have a crucial role to play in conservation and tourism and have an essential role in conserving and maintaining plants and animal species. However, there is growing concern that botanical gardens and other protected areas could be at risk from climate variability and change. Regardless of this concern, very little on how climate variability and change will affect botanical gardens worldwide is known. This study sought to respond to this knowledge gap identified and aimed to examine the evidence, impact, and response to climate variability and change by the Pretoria National botanical gardens and Walter Sisulu botanical gardens in Gauteng province. The study adopted a pragmatism paradigm, with a case study that used a mixed-method approach. The study used multiple research techniques to collect data, such as; an online survey (324), key informants interviews (15), field observations and secondary data analysis. Data was analysed using a Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis, Microsoft excel sheet and Question-Pro analysis tools. Content and thematic analysis were used to analyse secondary and interview data. The study found evidence of climate variability and change at the two botanical gardens, characterised by intense rainfall activity such as flooding, extreme droughts, generally decline in rainfall amounts, and increasing temperature, posing a threat to infrastructure, flora, and fauna of the garden. Recreation makers complained that climate change adversely affects botanical gardens' aesthetics and general experience. In response to climate variability and change, botanical gardens in Gauteng are trying to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change to foster climate resilience. As much as there are fears of climate variability and change impacts, botanical gardens are underprepared to deal with climate change, given the vast knowledge gaps that exist. This study recommends that scientific studies be conducted to ascertain how climate variability affects flora and fauna in the botanical gardens as there are many grey areas. Hopefully, this will prompt the gardens to adapt to climate variability and change effects appropriately.