Restructuring the geography of domestic tourism in South Africa

Abstract

Abstract. Domestic tourism is relatively under-represented in tourism scholarship. This article attempts to analyse the role of domestic tourism in one of the 'emerging world regions' of tourism. In the case of South Africa domestic tourism represents a significant element of the country's tourism economy. The objectives are to provide (i) an analysis of the growth, contemporary spatial patterns and restructuring of domestic tourism in South Africa; and (ii) an assessment of emerging policy debates issues taking place about domestic tourism. Using a detailed local level data base on tourism flows this paper provides fresh insight into the character and changing geography of domestic tourism in South Africa. The nature and dynamics of domestic tourism are shown to have shifted since democratic transition. The restructured geography of domestic tourism exhibits a number of continuities and changes with earlier times. Government is seeking to use domestic tourism as a basis for addressing spatial unevenness in patterns of tourism development. In terms of recent spatial change it is revealed the most significant developments are the strengthening of Ethekwini as the country's leading domestic tourism destination and the relative demise of Cape Town as a hub for domestic tourists.

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

“…However, recent analyses reveal that in contrast to strong tourism growth between 1994 and the early 2000s (cf. City of Cape Town, 2013) and despite its continued popularity as an international tourism destination, the performance of Cape Town's tourism economy has slowed in recent years (Rogerson, Rogerson, 2014a;Rogerson, 2015). This highlights the importance of innovation to enhance local and regional destination competiveness in Cape Town and the Western Cape.…”

“…Another case is a network of creative experience-based firms in Cape Town which collaborate with various local and non-local firms and organisations to develop niche market tourism products (cf. Booyens, Rogerson, 2015). Isolated examples of structural innovation driven by public institutions are also identified.…”

“…In addition, a creative tourism innovation network is observed in Cape Town which contributes to local and international discourses on urban creativity, innovation and tourism (cf. Booyens, Rogerson, 2015;Richards, 2013;Rogerson, 2013;Środa-Murawska, Szymańska, 2013;Visser, 2014, Waitt, Gibson, 2014. With regard to other types of innovation, marketing innovations are observed to be prevalent in tourism.…”

Unpacking Directions and Spatial Patterns of VFR Travel Mobilities in the Global South: Insights from South Africa

“…In terms of South Africa's domestic tourism economy, VFR is overwhelmingly the major purpose of travel (Rogerson & Hoogendoorn, ; Rogerson, ). It has been documented that VFR travel in South Africa is the segment of tourism that is massively dominated by ‘ordinary’ or working‐class travellers with the black population representing approximately 78% of national VFR travellers (Rogerson & Hoogendoorn, : 171).…”

Segmenting the Latin American travel market to South Africa

“…The number of persons employed in the tourism industry also continues to increase, and the tourism industry employs about 4.4% of all employed persons in South Africa. Apart from the importance of tourism in terms of economic value, for developing countries such as South Africa, tourism is essential to creating a positive image of the country as a tourist destination, infrastructure development and increasing the quality of life of the local people (Butler & Rogerson 2016;Kaplanidou et al 2013;Leibold & Seibert 2015;Rogerson 2015). Hence, it is vital to increase both domestic and international travels to South Africa.…”