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South Africa has experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals over the past ten years. The challenge is to sustain this growth and therefore it is important to understand the factors that influence inbound tourism to South Africa. The purpose of this article is to identify the various determinants of inbound tourism to South Africa from different source markets (categorized in continents). Time series quarterly data from 1993 to 2004 is used in the analysis of tourist arrivals. Cointegration analysis in a multivariate framework is used and the authors find that income, relative prices and travel cost are strong determinants of tourist arrivals (as with other destinations). They also find that climate and capacity play significant roles.

The scuba diving tourism industry's sustainability is affected by various problems. •These problems were investigated by engaging scuba diving operators in two MPAs.• Relations with other elements in the Scuba Diving Tourism System were assessed.• Operators felt the potential of the scuba diving industry, yet limited support.• General and ad hoc measures to enhance the industry's sustainability were advanced.

The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) is one of the most popular arts festivals in South Africa. However, the festival is already in the decline phase of its product life cycle. This leads to serious concerns for its future profitability and sustainability. Given the economic value of the festival, an understanding of expenditure patterns and the determinants influencing spending behavior is vital to the festival marketers/organizers. Therefore, the aim of this article is to investigate the sociodemographic and behavioral determinants that influence visitor expenditure at the KKNK, based on visitor surveys conducted at the festival from 2005 to 2008. Regression analysis was applied to establish the most significant determinants in each year. Results indicate that occupation, distance traveled, length of stay, the reason for attending the festival, and preferred type of shows/productions are significant determinants influencing the amount of money visitors spent at the festival. Not only will these findings generate strategic insights on marketing for the festival, but knowledge of these determinants can also lead to a greater economic impact, as well as a competitive advantage.

Event organizers strive towards growth in visitor numbers and income generation, in order to maximize the value of the festival. This article analyses the sociodemographics of three major arts festivals in the Republic of South Africa and attempts to show the complex relationship among sociodemographics and the visiting patterns of three arts festivals, held in different locations. The aim is to determine the sociodemographic profile of a typical "high-spending" and "show-attending" festival-goer (festino), and the methodology to achieve this aim includes the use of logit and probit regressions. The analysis identifies the aspects of sociodemographics pertaining to arts festivals that are dominant. The latter can then be used to develop a market profile of visitors and therefore a marketing plan.

South Africa is well known for its favourable climate, wildlife and golden beaches. Adding to this, its long summers make its coastline (over 3500 km) even more attractive to tourists around the world, and so are transforming the South African coast into a major marine tourism attraction. Along this lengthy coastline lie numerous marine destinations attracting thousands of tourists. These destinations offer various activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, world class surfi ng and whale watching to tourists. When trying to capitalise on these assets, marketers clearly state that it is necessary to understand the market that uses them and the reasons people travel. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine the travel motives of tourists to selected marine destinations.Five surveys were conducted at marine resorts by means of a structured questionnaire. Two hundred and two (202) questionnaires were completed at Hartenbos, 210 at Jeffrey's Bay, 333 at Margate, 237 at Amanzimtoti and 153 at Plettenberg Bay. The statistical analysis entailed descriptive statistics and a factor analysis of the fi ve surveys. The results revealed similarity regarding escape and relaxation as travel motives when compared to other research. However, time usage and personal attachment were unique motives identifi ed by this study.A combination of psychological motives and of more tangible aspects should be used in tourism marketing strategies in order to attract a higher number of visitors to marine destinations. These results will, therefore, assist marketers and product developers of marine destinations, particularly with the marine tourism product being very similar.

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While cultural events are primarily hosted to enhance, expand and celebrate a certain culture, the economic role that these events play in the host towns are often overlooked. The economic importance stems from the expenditure by attendants that filters through the local economy, stimulating output in the economy. This note makes use of primary data obtained from visitor (demand side) and business (supply side) surveys to determine the local economic impact of the three leading arts festivals in South Africa. The results indicate that the location and size of the town is an important factor in the impact of the event on the town and the region. Copyright (c) 2006 the author(s). Journal compilation (c) 2006 RSAI.