The potential use of SANFDF tourism assets in the Western Cape for sustainable economic development

Abstract

This study investigated the potential use of SANDF tourism assets and sites in the Western Cape for sustainable operational activities and the maintenance of tourism assets and to establish whether they can generate sustainable economic development. The study argues that international and domestic tourism relies on well-managed and maintained infrastructure and should be done with careful planning and management of tourism assets. The study also evaluates how SANDF tourism assets managed by the Department of Defence contribute to the economic growth of the Western Cape Province and South Africa. The SANDF tourism assets form an integral part of the Western Cape’s tourist attractions, and part of the study was to determine if they meet the criteria required by South African Tourism. The study aimed to investigate the potential use of the SANDF tourism assets in the Western Cape and to seek possible solutions as to how they can influence tourism globalisation and economic development. The research provided an understanding of possible SANDF tourism assets in the Western Cape and how tourists can be motivated or attracted to visit these sites and thereby generate revenue, employment, and local economic and infrastructural progress and development. The main objectives of this study were to establish the number and position of SANDF tourism assets in the Western Cape; define the economic impacts of these SANDF tourism assets; establish how these assets could be managed to promote economic growth; determine the present marketing strategies of the tourism assets, and how they could be improved, and establish what motivates tourists to visit the SANDF tourists’ sites. An interview schedule was used to collect data from Focus Groups, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from tourists. The sample constituted 200 tourists, and thirty military, tourism- and academic experts. Data from focus group discussions were analysed thematically based on the objectives of the study. Quantitative data were analysed through SPSS version 28 and the mean score of tourists visiting SANDF sites in the Western Cape concluded the population (for example, how to understand using SANDF tourism assets by drawing on the most convenient expressions of the sites visited). The study was conducted according to the professional and ethical guidelines provided by the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences Ethics Committee at CPUT. Confidentiality was assured to all participants of tourism industry key role-players, academics, SANDF staff, and tourists/visitors, and that they may withdraw from the study at any stage, for whatever reason, and may refuse to answer any question. Participants were informed that all data and their identities would remain confidential. The major findings show some of the SANDF activities were available before they were discounted by visitors; resurrecting these again would revive the economy at these sites, and for the Western Cape. The SANDF’s strategic plans are to ensure that the management of each SANDF site and facility functions as a well-moderated business opportunity to attract government at provincial and national levels to aspire and support different interventions should need to arise.