Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / This research examines the ways in which local residents living in close proximity to the event perceived the Berg River Canoe Marathon as a major event in the Western Cape. By identif'ying these different patterns ofperceptions within the community, it is possible to gain a better understanding of both the tangible and intangible impacts of events and how they differently affect the quality of life of local residents as individuals and the community as a whole. The research method was based on a convenient sampling approach. A questionnaire survey of two hundred residents was conducted and five different dimensions of perceiving the impacts of events were examined ranging from extremely negative to very positive. The impacts analysed included social, economic and environmental impacts. The residents in all the five locations perceived community pride and entertainment to be very positive and were in favour ofthe continuation of the event. 1n profiling the residents who held each of the representations identified, it was found that the most negative group was those residents who had little or no involvement in tourism and are not interested in canoeing as a sport. Thus, it is necessary for event organisers and event managers to get the members of community involved in the planning and management of the event to spread the benefits to a larger portion of the community.

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 2006 / The concept of service quality within sport tourism is important and plays a major role in differentiating each sport tourism product from its competitors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of service quality within South African sport tourism and in the tourism industry in general, by focusing on a specific case study, the Berg River Canoe Marathon. The study discussed the importance of service quality within sport tourism, while the methods and instruments applicable to assess the level of service quality within sport tourism, were also addressed. The survey was conducted across selected viewpoints, which included the starting and the finishing points of the marathon. A total of 100 survey questionnaires were distributed to spectators and participants at the event using purposive sampling, while stratified random sampling was used to determine the viewpoints. The SERVQUAL dimensions were incorporated in the questionnaires as the basis to determine the level of service delivery at the event. The key fmdings for the study include a lack of service delivery consistency across the selected areas, the acceptance of service delivery by some respondents owing to the nature of the event and less interaction between event organisers and spectators. In addition, the starting and the finishing points were the areas, which were found to deliver high quality services