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A theoretical analysis of the development of tourist guiding in South Africa
Author(s)
Davids, Ezzat
Date Issued
2008
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The South African Tourism Industry has developed phenomenally since the country
adopted and entered into a democratic era in 1994. Between 1966 and 1990, tourist
arrivals struggled to reach the 1 million mark. The tourism development history of South
Africa was such that international sanctions, poor tourism research and development, and
a disjointed and exclusive tourism growth strategy all contributed to an industry that
showed very little prospect of major sustainable growth and future success. The tourism
industry was never thought capable ofbecoming a major contributor to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, let alone perceived to possess the potential of
becoming a vehicle which would eventually lead to unprecedented, and much needed
poverty alleviation and job creation. The myopic strategies and policies of government
and government-influenced agencies and organisations were the reason why the period
from the 1970's through to the late 1980's showed a general tendency towards tourism
stagnation. During this period, there was low investment in the sector and a focus on the
narrow white domestic market. As Black South Africans were not allowed to be
accommodated in the same hotels as whites or even visit the same beaches as whites,
domestic tourism under apartheid geared itself to serve the interests of the privileged
white minority population alone (Mkhize, 1994). The period commencing from 1990
until 1998 was characterised by a growth in the tourism industry. The reasons for this
growth period are manifold, and include the dismantling ofApartheid, the release of
Nelson Mandela, the lifting of international sanctions, the first democratic elections, and
the welcoming of South Africa back into the global community of nations.
These political milestones also opened up the doors of tourism activity to the previously
marginalised sector of the South African population. Tourism arrivals, which had reached
the I million mark in 1990, exceeded the 8.4 million mark in 2007. The change in
government meant a change in overall policy, which in turn created an enabling
environment for future growth of the tourism industry. The process was ushered in with a
period oftourism policy and legislation review, all aimed at democratising the sector.
The institutional rearrangement of government departments and government-appointed
structures and organisations addressed the tourism legislative imperatives - this process
resulted in a general reorganisation of the then current exclusive racially orchestrated
structures, creating increased accessibility to the mainstream tourism industry.
This research has been undertaken in the light ofthe above transformation, and sought to
investigate the process of change that has been brought about in the tourism industry,
with special reference to the development of the tourist guiding sector.
It was imperative to take a closer look at the education and training aspect of the tourist
guiding sector and the establishment and structure of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
Education and Training Authority (THETA). In addition, a focus on international tourist
guiding training models as well as emphasis being placed on the tourist guiding centre at
the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was provided and finally, an overview of
tourist guiding representative bodies and associations was looked at.
In concluding, the research would have been incomplete without investigating the
development of the broader tourism industry and the legislation, campaigns and
initiatives that have been implemented to bring about the much-needed reforms in the
tourism industry.
adopted and entered into a democratic era in 1994. Between 1966 and 1990, tourist
arrivals struggled to reach the 1 million mark. The tourism development history of South
Africa was such that international sanctions, poor tourism research and development, and
a disjointed and exclusive tourism growth strategy all contributed to an industry that
showed very little prospect of major sustainable growth and future success. The tourism
industry was never thought capable ofbecoming a major contributor to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, let alone perceived to possess the potential of
becoming a vehicle which would eventually lead to unprecedented, and much needed
poverty alleviation and job creation. The myopic strategies and policies of government
and government-influenced agencies and organisations were the reason why the period
from the 1970's through to the late 1980's showed a general tendency towards tourism
stagnation. During this period, there was low investment in the sector and a focus on the
narrow white domestic market. As Black South Africans were not allowed to be
accommodated in the same hotels as whites or even visit the same beaches as whites,
domestic tourism under apartheid geared itself to serve the interests of the privileged
white minority population alone (Mkhize, 1994). The period commencing from 1990
until 1998 was characterised by a growth in the tourism industry. The reasons for this
growth period are manifold, and include the dismantling ofApartheid, the release of
Nelson Mandela, the lifting of international sanctions, the first democratic elections, and
the welcoming of South Africa back into the global community of nations.
These political milestones also opened up the doors of tourism activity to the previously
marginalised sector of the South African population. Tourism arrivals, which had reached
the I million mark in 1990, exceeded the 8.4 million mark in 2007. The change in
government meant a change in overall policy, which in turn created an enabling
environment for future growth of the tourism industry. The process was ushered in with a
period oftourism policy and legislation review, all aimed at democratising the sector.
The institutional rearrangement of government departments and government-appointed
structures and organisations addressed the tourism legislative imperatives - this process
resulted in a general reorganisation of the then current exclusive racially orchestrated
structures, creating increased accessibility to the mainstream tourism industry.
This research has been undertaken in the light ofthe above transformation, and sought to
investigate the process of change that has been brought about in the tourism industry,
with special reference to the development of the tourist guiding sector.
It was imperative to take a closer look at the education and training aspect of the tourist
guiding sector and the establishment and structure of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
Education and Training Authority (THETA). In addition, a focus on international tourist
guiding training models as well as emphasis being placed on the tourist guiding centre at
the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was provided and finally, an overview of
tourist guiding representative bodies and associations was looked at.
In concluding, the research would have been incomplete without investigating the
development of the broader tourism industry and the legislation, campaigns and
initiatives that have been implemented to bring about the much-needed reforms in the
tourism industry.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008
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