Le Maroc et la France, assurément deux destinations par excellence. Ledit secteur dans les deux pays figure parmi ceux générant une importante activité économique et un des plus grands pourvoyeurs d’emplois au Maroc comme en France. L’importante proportion des recettes engendrées par l’industrie touristique dans la balance des paiements des deux pays hissa celle-ci à un rang de haute priorité. Dans cette logique, maintes restructurations du système touristique marocain et son homologue français ont vu le jour depuis quelques années en vue d’augmenter les flux entrants ainsi que les recettes. À l’ère du numérique, l’industrie touristique apparaît comme l’un des secteurs ayant immensément bénéficié de la révolution technologique. En effet, les activités touristiques et les TIC fonctionnent en une parfaite symbiose vu la nature des produits touristiques (biens d’expérience), qui sont manifestement adaptables à l’usage des TIC. De cette combinaison particulière fut enfanté l’E-tourisme. Sans conteste, les TIC et l’internet matérialisent une parfaite combinaison pour la promotion des destinations touristiques compte tenu de leur énorme capacité à atteindre des clients prospects en permettant aux destinations d’augmenter leur visibilité externe. La combinaison fonctionnelle TIC/Internet se révèle une solution incontournable de promotion des destinations, d’autant plus que telle combinaison est présentement inévitable pour se mettre au diapason des exigences techniques et tendances évolutives du marché touristique mondial. Au demeurant, la symbiotique association du couple TIC/internet avec les activités touristiques se révèle un facteur inégalable de promotion des destinations, dès lors que l’apport des TIC dans l’industrie s’avère particulièrement appréciée par la communauté touristique. De surcroît, le recours aux TIC est inéluctable pour une industrie touristique viable et performante ; voire les TIC comme une condition de survie, notamment pour les destinations émergentes (cas de la destination Maroc), et que l’inexistence ou l’obsolescence des TIC pourraient sérieusement hypothéquer la prospérité de cette industrie. / Morocco and France, certainly two top-class destinations. The tourism sector in both countries is one of the sectors generating the highest economic activity and one of the most significant employers in Morocco and France alike. The large proportion of income from the tourism industry in the balance of payments of the two countries raises this to a high-priority ranking. In this sense, many reorganisations of the Moroccan tourism system and that of its French counterpart have come to light over the past few years with a view to increasing incoming flows and revenues. In the digital age, the tourism industry appears to be one of the sectors to have benefitted considerably from the technological revolution. In fact, tourism activities and ICTs work in perfect harmony with regard to the nature of tourism products (experience products), which are clearly suited to the use of ICTs. From this special combination, e-tourism was born. Undeniably, ICTs and the internet demonstrate the perfect combination for the promotion of tourist destinations, given their enormous capacity to reach potential customers, enabling the destinations to increase their external visibility. The operational ICTs /internet combination has emerged as an essential solution for the promotion of destinations, particularly since such a combination is now inevitable to keep up with technical requirements and developing trends in the worldwide tourism market. Indeed, the symbiotic relationship of ICTs with tourism activities is emerging as an unrivalled factor in the promotion of destinations, and the contribution of ICTs to the industry appears to be particularly appreciated by the tourist community. Furthermore, the use of ICTs is inevitable for a viable and high-performing tourism industry; ICTs can be considered to be a condition for survival, particularly for emerging destinations (as is the case for Morocco) and that the lack of, or obsolescence of ICTs may seriously jeopardise the prosperity of this industry.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Recreation and Tourism in the Centre for Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2005. / There has not been a good understanding between the complex nature of the environment and tourism couple with the single degree of administrative fragmentation. Environmental conservation has been perceived as a threat to social and economic development, a threat that has only recently subsided as a result of effort towards the classification of sustainable development. It therefore, goes without saying that without due regard to the appropriate development guideline, the integrity of public and private lands within communities has often been at risk owing to the sacrificing of socio-ecological values at the expense of profit. National parks will be useful, not only as preserves for indigenous plants and animals, but also as recreation grounds for the people. It is well to consider how comparatively few and small are the areas of this description which will be permanently available for the residents of Adelaide Plains .. .there must come at a time when these plains will be thickly populated from hills to sea, and then, if not now, the need for more breathing space will be recognized. The Mt Lofty range is gradually passing more and more into private hands, and before many years have elapsed it will be difficult to find a place where one may enjoy the beauties of nature without fear of trespassing (Nancel986, in Butler and Boyd 2000). The image of national paries and their acceptability appears to be generally high in this era, with a few exceptions where local populations have been or feel disadvantaged by the establishment of parks. That is why the study was interested in establishing the perceptions of the local communities towards the Balele game park, within which a town lies. The fundamental objectives of the study are: a) To establish the perceptions of the communities towards the game park, within which a town lies. b) To determine the level of awareness and participation of local communities of and in Balele Game Park. c) To assess how the host community benefit from Balele Game Park. d) To investigate the number of local, domestic and international tourists who visit Balele Game Park. e) To discover the types of natural resources and cultural resources which are found within a Balele Game Park. These objectives were formulated in order to find out the potential the Utrecht Balele game park has to tourism and the perspectives and perceptions the local communities have towards it. In achieving properly focused analysis and interpretation of data, which could lead to effective conclusions, some hypotheses were devised. The hypothesis that were postulated for the study are: a) That the communities see the parkas the business industry for whites b) That there is a low level of awareness and participation of local communities in tourism activities in the game park c) That the local communities are not benefiting from Balele Game Park. d) That the Balele Game Park attracts a bigger number of domestic and international tourists than local tourists. e) That there is a lack of natural and cultural resources to meet the needs of the tourists The most findings of the study are that (i) the game park is seen as the business industry for whites; (ii) there is a high level of awareness and low level of participation by local communities of and in tourism activities; (iii) the communities are not benefiting from tourism activities of the game park, since they are not fully involved; (iv) the Utrecht Balele game park attracts most of its tourists from local area as against domestic and international tourists; and (v) there are natural and cultural resources and facilities in the park, but they are not meeting the needs of the tourists. Tourism is considered as one of the significant ways to enhance positive relationship between parks and local people. There are several studies indicating that programmes based on revenue generated by or through park-based tourism have had positive impacts on local communities, which not only offer employment opportunities but also develop in them positive feelings towards protected areas.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Development Studies in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, 2016 / The aim of the study was to find out how heritage tourism can be used as a strategy for local economic development. The study was conducted at KwaBulawayo (Eshowe) and at Ondini (Ulundi) Cultural Centres and their surroundings. The study asserts that heritage tourism is embedded and can be explained within a shift from industrial to post-industrial mode of production and consumption, where aspects of society, such as heritage and culture are packaged for tourism consumption. The shift from industrial to post-industrial society and the associated packaging and consumption of heritage in the form of tourism forms the main theory of the study. This shift took place in the late 1970s when global economic system which was predicated on industrialisation and manufacturing experienced problems which were recessionary. Out of the recessionary problems, a new system of production called post-industrialisation or post-Fordism or post-modernity emerged. Post- industrialisation came with new processes of production and consumption. With regards to consumption, consumerism became a feature of the new economy. Consumerism meant that aspects of the society, such as heritage and culture had to be packaged for the tourist consumption and revenue generation. The study employed the exploratory mixed methodology, which suggests that the study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. With analysis and interpretation of data, content analysis was used to analyse the interviews while, SPSS and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse quantitative data. The population of the study was comprised of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Official(s), Zululand and King Cetshwayo District Municipalities’ Tourism Officers, KwaBulawayo and Ondini Cultural Centres’ Site Managers, Tribal Authorities and community members of the KwaBulawayo and the Ondini Cultural Centres. The study conducted face-to-face interviews and a sample of thirty seven respondents was drawn from the tourism officials and communities. The study found that the role players, i.e. officials and community members, understand the study sites in terms of culture, history and tradition, which suggests that they have not moved beyond the use value of the heritage sites. The findings revealed that the community is well aware of the heritage sites, that is, the cases of this study. However, the study established that the majority of communities did not know how long the heritage sites have been in operation. With regards to the running of the study sites, based on the Provincial and District Officials’ responses, the results showed that the power to manage them is decentralised to the District and Local Levels. The findings showed that the marketing of the heritage sites is not satisfactory. However, the on-line marketing (e.g. Internet, Facebook) was found to be predominant. The general observation of the study showed that the branding of the heritage sites revolves around King Shaka and King Cetshwayo. The communities of the study areas embrace heritage tourism sites and are regarded as the most important role players in heritage tourism of the study areas. The study found that heritage tourism has been used as a strategy for the local economic development of the study areas. The findings presented that attributes, such as artefacts and infrastructure, e.g. roads, stimulate heritage tourism of the study areas. The study observed that the tourists’ turnout to the heritage sites is inadequate. The study, therefore, recommends that the heritage tourism sites, in collaboration with all stakeholders, need to find alternative strategies to improve heritage tourism in the study areas e.g. involving tourism operators in their tourism processes. This could assist the heritage sites to generate sufficient revenue to employ more locals and assist the emerging local entrepreneurs with funding to strengthen their business ventures. The study recommends that the heritage sites need to engage ordinary community members and the local business people, especially those in the hospitality business in the tourism development processes. This could strengthen positive relationship between community members and the heritage tourism sites. The study further recommends that the key role players in heritage tourism of the study areas need to focus more on the exchange value than on the use value of the heritage sites. In the end, the study recommends further research, which will focus on the basic policy and/or a principle that could address community engagement to ensure a collective and/or beneficial participation in the entire tourism industry.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master's degree in Recreation and Tourism in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, 2008. / The study on Tourism Education Policy Applications in the Zululand District, KwaZulu-Natal was conducted against the background that, in spite of the fact that, although South Africa in general, and Zululand District in particular, is blessed with both natural and cultural attractions which enhance the tourism opportunities that can help to improve the economy, but the greatest deficiency in the tourism industry of South Africa is the absence of adequate tourism education and training. The lack of tourism education and training has been seen to result in a dearth of professional knowledge and skills in tourism, which are necessary for the development of the tourism industry. The study therefore, had specific objectives, which are the following: (a) To reveal how tourism as a field of study is perceived and understood by respondents within the study area. (b) To establish the extent to which respondents in the Zululand District are aware of tourism education. (c) To investigate what tourism education policies are in place for stakeholders in the study area. (d) To determine the types of tourism education and training programmes which are available for stakeholders in the Zululand District. (e) To find out whether existing tourism education policies are implemented in a satisfactory manner in local schools in the study area. (f) To assess whether the local community participates in tourism education in the study area. A number of hypotheses directly related to the objectives of the study were postulated. The hypotheses were duly considered in an attempt to uncover the underlying causes of the identified discrepancies in the study area. The testing of the hypotheses was done through the analysis and interpretation of the data collected from the population sectors that are directly or indirectly affected in the study area. The findings from analysis and interpretation showed that there is a lack of participation by the local community in tourism in general and in tourism education in particular. This is because the respondents lack knowledge and information about tourism education. It was indicated that there are no educational tourism activities or projects that are conducted to encourage them to participate. Lack of participation limits meaningful involvement and participation in tourism. If the community is not fully involved in tourism because of an inadequate tourism education they miss the various job opportunities that are offered by this industry. The findings also revealed that the tourism educators do not implement the tourism education policy in a satisfactory manner in schools. The reason is that most of them lack the qualifications that are required to teach this learning area successfully. They lack the expert knowledge and experience needed to develop learners. Recommendations put forward aim to promote adequate tourism education in the study area.

A dissertation of limited scope submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial of the requirements for course-work Master of Arts degree in the Centre for Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1998. / After the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, South Africa was heartily welcomed into the family of nations of the world. Likewise, South Africa should extend a warm welcome to peoples of the world to its shores. South Africa must take full advantage of its political popularity under the democratically elected government. Besides, South Africa has an abundance of natural resources and is rich in history because of its racial diversity. The cultures of its indigenous people of South Africa can make this region one of the most sought after tourist destinations of the world. Tourism, like all other industries in this country, has been badly affected by sanctions, violence, crime and internal political conflict. Furthermore, the media has created a turbulent atmosphere through its exaggeration of incidents that are common to all countries of the world. These have dissuaded thousands of people who would otherwise have chosen to visit South Africa especially the Black townships and rural areas. Tourism has, unfortunately, received little attention, from both the previous and the present governments compared to other industries. A number of projects and programmes have been directed at alleviating problems of Black communities with the ultimate aim of improving their standard of living. In most cases, these programmes have failed to achieve this objective. Instead, in tourism, it is the wealthy hoteliers who have been beneficiaries and not the target population. South Africa has engaged in a number of tourism forms with the objective of including and involving Blacks such that they benefit from tourism development. Presently very few Blacks have been properly involved in tourism in a positive way. This study focuses on establishing a Tourist Information Centre in Umlazi that will provide information concerning tourism that may be required by potential tourists. Tourism needs much more than providing information to tourists, it also needs that the infrastructure available should be of a suitable standard. The development of such infrastructure in Umlazi and neighbouring townships has lagged behind in the past because of the policies that were in operation. Tourist Information Centres will help develop a high level of awareness of the potential benefits available in Umlazi Township for both the tourists and the host communities. It has been found from the tourism workshop held in May 1998 to orientate the people of Umlazi in tourism. that tourism awareness campaign seems to be the only criterion that can be used to answer all the questions and challenges pertaining to tourism industry. The survey conducted re-iterated the need for tourism education and, also revealed that the majority of Umlazi community would love to see a Tourist Information Centre materialising. The opinion survey showed that the support from the community cannot be doubted.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Recreation and Tourism degree in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, 2009. / The differentially-abled tourism market is a niche market that could make a significant contribution to the region’s economy. This market is, however, a largely untapped activity in the study area. An Integrated National Disability Strategy White Paper was published in November 1997 by the South African government as a guideline to cater for those who have physical and related challenges. However, the contents of the strategy are not obvious or known to recreation service providers within the study area. The rights of people with disabilities are protected by the South African Constitution. People with disabilities should be able to access the same fundamental rights and responsibilities as any other South African. People with disabilities are equal citizens and should therefore enjoy equal rights and responsibilities. In line with this, tourism opportunities and equal participation in tourism activities should be the norm but this is not evident in the study area. This study therefore is based on the following objectives. The objectives have been formulated as component parts within the larger research goal. (a) To establish the respondents’ understanding of the meaning and importance of tourism for the differentially-able [physically challenged] in the study area. (b) To investigate the adequacy and provision of recreation facilities and services for the differentially-able [physically challenged] tourists in the study area. (c) To determine the extent to which the differentially-able [physically challenged] tourists visit and participate in recreation activities in the study area. establish the approximate number of differentially able tourist visiting the eThekwini Municipal Area. (d) To ascertain the strategies or management practices, which are used by the Ethekwini Municipal authorities to offer services to the differentially-able [physically challenged] tourists in the study area. (e) To investigate the extent to which recreation service providers are implementing the policy of Integrated National Disability Strategy, relating to recreation service provision for the differentially-able [physically challenged] persons in the study area. Through the postulation of some related hypotheses, the data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the research study established that many of the recreation service providers do not cater for this niche market. The activities offered by recreation service providers are geared towards able bodied tourists. Furthermore, many of the service providers are not aware of the contents of the Integrated Disability Strategy White Paper. Some are not even aware of the existence of such a White Paper. Tourism KwaZulu-Natal has conducted some research on the differentially-able market but has been slow to bring on board the relevant service providers. It is the contention of this study that the tourism authorities need to spearhead and be the driving force behind the campaign for empowering the differentially-able tourism related market. It would be in the region’s best interest to target this market, as it would secure sizeable revenue that would create positive spin-offs for the region as a whole. The study closes by proposing some recommendations towards ameliorating the plight of the physically challenged recreators and tourists. Some of these findings are: (a) National and regional tourism organization need to establish guidelines for tourism service providers with regard to tourism for the differentially-abled. (b) Develop tourist areas that cater for the needs of the differentially-abled in terms of transportation, accommodation, access to tourism sites and services. (c) Enlist the assistance of various organisations that cater for varying forms of disability to research the needs and challenges of its members in terms of travel. (d) Develop accessible websites with relevant information for the tourist as well as the service providers. (e) Provide incentives for tourism operators and service providers to cater for tourists with disability. Award prizes to those service providers who cater for the differentially-abled market. (f) Use the Integrated National Disability Strategy White Paper: November 1997 to develop educational and training programmes for tourism service providers. Differentially-abled persons could assist with the development of relevant programmes and could act as advisors.

A dissertation of limited scope submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial of the requirements for course-work Master of Arts degree in the Centre for Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1999. / The investigation has sought to establish if the people already involved in the tourism industry have undergone any training. If not in which areas do they feel they need training. These areas or aspects in which they fed they need to be trained in, constitute Tourism Training Needs. The investigation has also sought to establish the focus of Tourism Training Programmes in the two institutions, Damelin and Manpower Services Commission Private Colleges, found in the Newcastle Local Council Areas. It has further purported to establish whether these Tourism Training Programmes adequately equip students with all the skills and expertise valuable to the tourism industry job market. A descriptive survey has been chosen for use in this investigation. Data has been gathered through the use of questionnaires and interview schedules. Two sets of questionnaires with structured questions have been designed for the Frontline Staff and Tourism Students. Three sets of interview schedules have been designed containing semi-structured questions by which the interviewer has probed the interviewees. Tourism establishments and facilities from which respondents have been drawn have been selected on the basis that they have been within a ten kilometre radius from the Newcastle Central Business District (CBD) and have been accommodating five tourists and more. This investigation has established that the majority of the Frontline already in the industry are lacking in training and as such they have recommended the establishment of Department of Education and Training for Tourism, Tourism Training Needs have been found to exist and amongst others are communication skills, conflict resolution skills, hospitality skills, hygiene skills, public relations skills and serving skills. The investigation has further established that training (of whichever form/kind) so long as it is related to tourism, has great impact on the Marketing and Service Quality of the tourism establishment and facilities. Management has been found to have been trained in Non-Tourism management and consequently they feel they need contextualized management training, that is, Tourism Training Management. The researcher has discovered that Tourism Training Programmes of the two institutions (Damelin and MSC College) focus on Travel Tourism and train students to be employees in the Travel Agencies and Tour Operation Companies.

Student Number : 8500056 - MA research report - School of Arts - Faculty of Humanities / Internationally, certification is playing an increasing role in regulating and monitoring tourism enterprises, and promoting responsible and sustainable tourism development. Certification in the South African tourism industry is relatively new, with schemes being developed to measure product quality (i.e. the Tourism Grading Council star ratings), as well as the environmental (Heritage Environmental Rating Programme) and social and developmental aspects of tourism development (Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa). Significant international literature and debate exists on the role and importance of tourism certification. Benefits of certification accrue to enterprises themselves, to government, to the local environment and community and to consumers. Critics of certification however argue that there is limited market demand for certified products, and that certification only has a marginal impact on sustainable tourism development. This report examines the role of certification in the South African tourism industry, utilising one certification scheme, namely Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) as a case study. FTTSA is positioned within the context of other key tourism initiatives being pursued by government, the private sector and civil society. The contribution of FTTSA to both the attainment of national tourism objectives as well as individual corporate objectives is discussed. Finally, key challenges facing FTTSA are presented.

Advertising is regarded as one of the most important and effective communication methods in tourism (Kim, Hwang & Fesenmaier, 2005; Morgan & Pitchard, 2001). Researchers have extensively analyzed travelers' responses to advertising exposure based upon a variety of perspectives including the hierarchy-of-effects model, and more recently, the dual process advertising model (Lavidge & Steiner, 1961; Petty, Briñol, & Priester, 2009; Te'eni-Harari, Lampert, & Lehman-Wilzig. 2007). Fundamentally, these models focus attention on the factors effecting the destination decision. However, a number of tourism scholars have argued that travel decision making is a complex/multifaceted process whereby travelers are required to make many sub-decisions rather than a single independent choice of a travel destination (Decrop & Snelders, 2004; Jeng & Fesenmaier 2002). As such, these studies suggest that most tourism advertising response models have been over simplified and therefore, offer little insight into the factors affecting the travel decision-making process (Choi, Lehto, Morrison, & Jang, 2012; Hyde, 2004; 2008). Further, Belk (1974; 1975), among others (Aqueveque, 2006; Kim & Chintagunta, 2012; Kim & Moon, 2009; Wakefield & Inman, 2003), argued that situational variables explain considerably more variance in consumer response to advertising than individual-related variables. Within the context of travel, Jeng and Fesenmaier (2002) and more recently, Gretzel, Fesenmaier and O'Leary (2006) and Hwang and Fesenmaier (2011) examined the ordering and extent to which travelers are willing to change their travel decisions. Jeng and Fesenmaier (2006) found that, for example, decisions regarding travel party, destination and attractions to visit are not likely to be changed once made; this finding contrasts to travel decisions regarding restaurants and shopping which are less likely to be firmly planned in advance, and therefore travelers are more likely to change depending upon the situation. Following Jeng and Fesenmaier (2002), it is posited that travel planning is a multi-stage contingent process and because of these various decisions that comprise trip planning are situational whereby travelers may change their trip plan depending the trip decision as well as their involvement, prior knowledge, the number of alternatives considered, and the nature of the travel party. As a result, it is argued that the degree to which travelers are willing to adapt their plans will affect the nature and extent to which they process travel advertising. Based upon these two sets of arguments, this dissertation seeks to: (1) develop a destination advertising response model that incorporates the various facets comprising travel decisions (e.g., places/attractions, additional destinations, accommodations, restaurants and shopping stores); and, (2) examine the role of decision flexibility on the facet-based advertising model. A pilot study was first conducted to test if the theoretical constructs in the proposed tourism advertising response model are valid. The results of the pilot study indicate that most of proposed constructs that form the travel advertising response model and decision flexibility are valid and reliable; however, the analyses indicate that there are two forms of decision flexibility: 1. Pre-trip flexibility and 2. En-route flexibility. Pre-trip flexibility relates to travel decisions/plans regarding places/attractions, additional destinations and accommodations, while en-route flexibility involves decisions regarding restaurants and shopping visited during the trip. Based on the findings of the pilot study, the main study was conducted to test the proposed relationships within the core tourism advertising model. The results of these analyses indicated that many/most of the hypothesized relationships are supported. Additionally, the moderating effects of decision flexibility on traveler's responses to travel advertising were examined. The results of these analyses indicate that Pre-trip flexibility significantly moderates the relationship between attitudes toward advertising and travel products, whereby high and low flexible travelers tend to have a strong positive attitude toward destination advertising; this compares to middle flexible travelers who have a significantly lower attitude toward the travel advertisements. The results of these analyses also indicate that en-route flexibility has very limited moderating influence on the how travelers perceive travel advertising. The findings of this study suggest that destination marketing organizations need to consider the various sub-decisions that comprise the travel decision making process. Further, destination marketing organizations need to take into account the degree to which potential travelers are willing to change their trip plan in that it appears to substantially influence a crucial aspect of traveler's response to advertising; these findings are especially important as travelers have begun to use mobile technology to guide their travel decision which, in turn, should enable destination marketers to develop customized advertising strategies depending on the various travel products purchased. / Tourism and Sport

Yes / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo, 24 months after first publication.