Local festivals and cultural events, signage and streetscape improvements, and regional marketing efforts indicate that tourism is present in some Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). However, the extent and form of this relationship has never before been examined in the North America context. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the involvement of Ontario’s BIAs in tourism. It reports on the findings of a 2008 province-wide survey of approximately 260 BIAs, touching on a variety of topics, including: the proportion of BIAs that are involved in tourism, the factors prompting them to attract tourists, the ways that they promote themselves to tourists, the types of tourism experiences that they offer, the positive and negative impacts of their tourism efforts, and whether they partner with other stakeholders in tourism promotion efforts. The data are then used to propose a typology of Business Improvement Areas showing differing levels and forms of tourism involvement. The thesis concludes by considering four case studies of successful tourism-oriented BIAs (Downtown Kingston, Downtown London, Downtown Yonge and Creemore), which are examined to identify the characteristics that have led to their success. The findings show that the majority of Ontario’s Business Improvement Areas are involved in tourism, using diverse methods to promote themselves as destinations. Their tourism offering usually includes special events and festivals, but can also involve investments in other attractions. Although BIAs are aware of both positive and negative impacts from tourism, tourism management efforts are uncommon. Seven characteristics of successful tourism-oriented BIAs are identified: innovation, self-awareness, appearance, attractions, partnerships, experiences, and planning. BIAs that strongly manifest these characteristics are believed to be likely candidates to benefit from the tourism industry.

The diploma thesis is focused on the current state evaluation of conditions and implementation of educational excursion in the Czech Republic and the economic impact of existing alternatives. The theoretical part defines the educational tourism's market and delimits the educational excursion's peculiarities. The thesis also contains interviews with high school representatives who organize the educational excursions in their practice and the results of questionnaire of secondary schools. The comparison of obtained information reflects the current state of educational excursion's implementation in the Czech Republic. Output of this work is evaluation of educational excursion's direct economic impact.

The North Eastern Cape in South Africa is part of a larger province that is in desperate need of job creation and economic development. In light of these needs, efforts have been made by members of the community and outside investors to generate new forms of income in the area. These economic developments emerged in the form of small-scale tourism initiatives and commercial forestry. The impact of these developments on the small community of Maclear differs in nature and is bringing about social change and influencing identity. In this thesis, I explore the effects of each of these developments on the local farming community, particularly the established white English-speaking farmers. For various important reasons, such as the changes to land use patterns occurring around them in terms of forestry and tourism initiatives, I chose to examine the situation of this minority. In general discussions and portrayals of white farmers, it is hypothesized that whites living in small farming communities are resistant to change, politically stagnant and socially conservative. In this thesis I test this hypothesis and investigate what South Africans might see as the core, or whether there is a core of, white settler identity. TIle idea of 'frontiers' being heartlands was emphasized in Maclear as residents spoke about the pioneering efforts of their forefathers and discussed these efforts as the essence of their identity. Forestry is a contemporary ' frontier' encroaching on these white Settlers. A dynamic concept of landscape is central to these identity construction efforts. In this thesis I explore, through different articulations of landscape, how residents, recent arrivals and investors attempt to embed their identity and resources in the community. I ask whether it is possible for members of the white community to produce an alternate and politically viable interpretation of landscape in post-apartheid South Africa. Can land and landscape offer them a sense of belonging and identity? What is their experience in view of the impositions of major investors who see land purely as an economic unit? The research does not explicitly investigate how 'new' black farmers and farming groups perceive and experience land and landscape. What is noted is the imagined passivity of black labourers on white-owned land. This thesis touches on issues inlportant to democratic change and progress in South Africa. How will the new government deal with the thorny issue of land redistribution in the face of competing claims for land and identity? How will the various sections of the white community (in this case the farming community) negotiate their identity in the new South Africa? Also, what do ' frontier' towns like Maclear reveal about the nature of white identity in post-apartheid South Africa? This thesis relies on gender and constructionist theories of landscape as developed by Appadurai (1996) to explain the dynamic nature of landscape in Maclear. It also explores and appraises the idea of ' frontier'. In the analysis of identity, I take into account that white settlers 'success' relies in part on the settlers ability to adapt to the ' frontier' and their ability to construct a new identity in their newfound 'homeland' (simliar to Paul Gilroy's (1993) "double consciousness). Keywords: South Africa, Maclear, Farming, White Identity, Landscape and Tourism.

Remote communities stay vulnerable in the face of major socioeconomic challenges. Tourism is often seen as a way to stimulate local economies and increase attractiveness of peripheral destinations, while events are considered to be one of the tools to promote tourism. In this regard, local collaboration is deemed to be crucial for facilitating development in spatially remote areas, where social context plays an important role in formation of entrepreneurial networks. By using the case of a local community festival Aldrei fór ég suður (AFS) in Ísafjörður, Iceland, I investigate relationship between the festival and local tourism entrepreneurs and define opportunities that the festival might provide for sustainable development of the area. Based on data collected from 24 interviews, findings suggest that the impact of AFS on local businesses varies depending on the category of business, its location, seasonality and target group, whereas the festival also contributes to enhancement of destination image, extension of tourist season and attraction of new categories of visitors. Following theoretical framework of social capital and social embeddedness, the main role of the festival is found to be related to enhancement of community pride and contribution to social change within community. On the other hand, results demonstrate general lack of willingness to collaborate and suggest an increased risk of overembeddedness given the self-reliant nature of the festival and its reluctance to commercialization. Discussed suggestions for sustainable destination development include co-branding, packaging for extended stay, transportation options and usage of empty housing for temporary accommodation.

[EN] This work has been developed within the framework of the Tourism Research Group of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. The main objective is to provide a model for a systematic analysis of the key elements that intervene in the process of determination of the Recreational Carrying Capacity for public use zones in Protected Areas. The proposed tool was deployed in the following cases study: Font Roja Natural Park (Ibi and Alcoi, in Alicante), Columbretes Islands Natural Reserve (in Castellón) and Albufera Natural Park (in Valencia). Considering the high volume of variables that take place in the determination and further management of the Recreational Carrying Capacity, it becomes highly difficult to elaborate a world-wide methodology. Nevertheless, this Thesis brings a general pattern applicable to practically every case with the necessary adaptations. On the other hand, this thesis arises the importance of considering the social aspects in the determination of the Recreational Carrying Capacity. In this sense, new concepts as psychological comfort of the users and visitors satisfaction are incorporated into the analysis with equal consideration as the ecological ones. It is also suggested that Recreational Carrying Capacity must be taken into account on the drawing up of the Protected Area Master Plans as a preventive tool for avoiding tourist impacts and guarantee users’ satisfaction. / [ES] Teniendo como marco de trabajo el desarrollado en el seno del Grupo de Investigación Aplicada al Turismo de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, la presente Tesis Doctoral tiene como objetivo principal aportar una sistemática orientada al análisis de los factores clave que intervienen en el proceso de determinación de la capacidad de carga recreativa para las áreas de uso público de los espacios protegidos. La herramienta de trabajo propuesta, se probó en tres casos de estudio: Parque Natural de la Font Roja (Ibi y Alcoi, Alicante), la Reserva Natural de las Islas Columbretes (Castellón) y el Parque Natural de l’Albufera de Valencia (Valencia). Considerando el volumen elevado de variables que intervienen en la determinación y posterior gestión de la capacidad de carga, es difícil elaborar una metodología de aplicación universal. En el presente trabajo se plantea, sin embargo, un esquema aplicable a todos los casos con las consiguientes adaptaciones que cada uno requiera. Por otro lado, se plantea la importancia de considerar los aspectos sociales en la determinación de la capacidad de carga de un sistema, sugiriéndose su incorporación, junto con los aspectos ecológicos tradicionalmente contemplados para el estudio de espacios protegidos y el diseño posterior de los correspondientes planes de gestión. En este sentido, se incorporan conceptos nuevos relacionados con la herramienta planteada como es el caso del confort psicológico de los usuarios y la satisfacción de los visitantes. / [CA] Tenint com a marc de treball el desenvolupat el sinus del Grup d’Investigació Aplicada al Turisme de la Universitat Politècnica de València, la present Tesi Doctoral té com objectiu principal aportar una sistemàtica orientada a l’anàlisi dels factors clau que intervenen al procés de determinació de la capacitat de càrrega recreativa per a les àrees d’ús públic dels espais protegits. L’eina de treball proposada, es va assajar amb tres casos d’estudi: Parc Natural de la Font Roja (Ibi i Alcoi, Alacant), la Reserva Natural de les Illes Columbretes (Castelló) i el Parc Natural de l’Albufera de València (València). Considerant l’elevat volum de variables que intervenen a la determinació i posterior gestió de la capacitat de càrrega, és difícil elaborar una metodologia d’aplicació universal. Al present treball es planteja un esquema aplicable a tots els casos amb les escaients adaptacions que cadascun requereix. D’altra banda, el planteja la importància de considerar els aspectes socials a la determinació de la capacitat de càrrega d’un sistema, suggerint-se la seva incorporació, junt amb aspectes ecològics tradicionalment considerats per a l’estudi d’espais protegits i el disseny posterior dels corresponents plans de gestió. En aquest sentit, s’incorporen nous conceptes relacionats amb l’eina plantejada com és el cas del confort psicològic dels usuaris i la satisfacció dels visitants. / Morant González, M. (2007). Desarrollo de un modelo para la determinación de la capacidad de carga recreativa y su aplicación a espacios naturales protegidos de la Comunidad Valenciana [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/131738

<p>Tourism is typically a hedonic product, and its consumption promotes positive psychology and wellbeing. Industry practitioners and academics have long been advocating sustainable practices and experiences that promote the health and wellness benefits of tourism. Indeed, studies that support designing tourism experiences with positive social and wellness outcomes are needed to better leverage design factors in delivering, communicating, and sustaining the health-related benefits of the tourism experiences. Food is an integral part of the overall tourism experience and has important implications for tourists’ pleasure and wellbeing. Thus, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to a better wellness value of the tourist food experience. </p> <p>Using a multi-qualitative method, the first study explored the communal dining experiences of solo travelers. The results indicate that solo traveler communal dining is affected by many motivations (e.g., socialization and authenticity seeking) and constraints (e.g., safety and health concerns). Other factors that were found to affect communal dining include socio-demographic factors (age, gender, cultural background, previous experiences, and extroversion); other diners’ factors (e.g., attitudes and behaviors, perceived similarity, and cultural barriers); dining place-related factors (e.g., social environment, entertainment, and employees openness); and situation-related factors (food quality, environment safety, group composition, communal dining vibes, and dining time). This study found that communal dining triggers four experiential domains: sensory, intellectual, affective, and behavioral which could result in a transformative and wellness value for solo travelers. Under the right circumstances, communal dining triggers a process of self-change that results in personal and social transformations. </p> <p>Continuing to examine the social experiences of solo travelers, the second study empirically examined the impact of the emotional display of fellow diners on solo travelers’ affect and perceived interpersonal relations during communal dining. The scenario-based experiment showed that other diners' display of emotions influenced solo traveler's affect and rapport perceptions in communal dining. Additionally, fellow communal table diners’ characteristics including their ingroup status and perceived similarity can play a role in impacting solo travelers’ communal dining experience. The perceived similarity was found to act as a trigger or “catalyst” for communal dining experience formation for solo travelers. Further, a positive influence of affect and rapport on solo travelers’ subjective wellbeing was noted.</p> <p>The third study examined the phenomenon of tourist food sharing. The study used experimental design to empirically examine the impact of food sharing on tourists’ interpersonal relationship development, sense of authenticity, and subjective wellbeing. The two experiments showed that tourist food sharing improves interpersonal relationships, tourist perceptions of experience authenticity, and wellbeing. Two culturally divergent tourist groups were compared: U.S. tourists and Chinese tourists. The results showed that U.S. tourists evaluated food sharing higher regarding its impact on authenticity and wellbeing than their Chinese counterparts. </p>

<p>На глобалном, то &nbsp;јест, планетарном нивоу&nbsp; догађаји&nbsp; уопште (фестивали, конгреси, конференције&nbsp; и&nbsp;слично),&nbsp; а посебно они са јаком&nbsp; културном&nbsp; компонентом (као што &nbsp;су:&nbsp; музички фестивали,&nbsp; филмски, фолклорни&nbsp;фестивали,&nbsp; разне манифестације &nbsp;или&nbsp; аниматорски&nbsp; програми&nbsp; и&nbsp; тако &nbsp;даље),&nbsp; значајно &nbsp;се бројчано &nbsp;повећавају.&nbsp;<br />Поред&nbsp; тога што &nbsp;унапређују&nbsp; локални понос&nbsp; у&nbsp; култури,&nbsp; стварају јак идентитет и имиџ локалне заједнице, то јест&nbsp;брендирају дестинацију, &nbsp;ови догађаји&nbsp; могу&nbsp; такође&nbsp; промовисати аутохтоне националне&nbsp; мањине, и оставити&nbsp;бројне позитивне или &nbsp;негативне, економске, друштвене, еколошке, политичке и друге ефекте и &nbsp;последице на&nbsp;дестинацију.&nbsp; Догађаји, то јест фестивали су добар повод да се гостима покажу&nbsp; нови&nbsp; народи&nbsp; и њихови &nbsp;обичаји,&nbsp;култура,&nbsp; веровања, начин живота,&nbsp; а од боравка на дестинацији осети се и&nbsp; допринос&nbsp; локалној економији, друштвеном&nbsp; и мултикултурном&nbsp; животу. Без обзира,&nbsp; какав&nbsp; догађај&nbsp; или&nbsp; фестивал&nbsp; био &nbsp;он представља&nbsp; нови талас&nbsp;алтернативног&nbsp; туризма&nbsp; који&nbsp; доприноси &nbsp;одрживом &nbsp;развоју&nbsp; и&nbsp; побољшава &nbsp;опднос између&nbsp; домаћина и госта&nbsp; а исто&nbsp;тако унапређује &nbsp;дестинацијски туристички производ. Током боравка на фестивалу туриста ће конзумирати и остале производе и услуге и мултиплицираће ефекте свог останка на дестинацији. Свакако тај се процес не&nbsp;може остварити без добре координације стејкхолдера и њихове добре међусобне умрежености и сарадње.</p> / <p>Na globalnom, to &nbsp;jest, planetarnom nivou&nbsp; događaji&nbsp; uopšte (festivali, kongresi, konferencije&nbsp; i&nbsp;slično),&nbsp; a posebno oni sa jakom&nbsp; kulturnom&nbsp; komponentom (kao što &nbsp;su:&nbsp; muzički festivali,&nbsp; filmski, folklorni&nbsp;festivali,&nbsp; razne manifestacije &nbsp;ili&nbsp; animatorski&nbsp; programi&nbsp; i&nbsp; tako &nbsp;dalje),&nbsp; značajno &nbsp;se brojčano &nbsp;povećavaju.&nbsp;<br />Pored&nbsp; toga što &nbsp;unapređuju&nbsp; lokalni ponos&nbsp; u&nbsp; kulturi,&nbsp; stvaraju jak identitet i imidž lokalne zajednice, to jest&nbsp;brendiraju destinaciju, &nbsp;ovi događaji&nbsp; mogu&nbsp; takođe&nbsp; promovisati autohtone nacionalne&nbsp; manjine, i ostaviti&nbsp;brojne pozitivne ili &nbsp;negativne, ekonomske, društvene, ekološke, političke i druge efekte i &nbsp;posledice na&nbsp;destinaciju.&nbsp; Događaji, to jest festivali su dobar povod da se gostima pokažu&nbsp; novi&nbsp; narodi&nbsp; i njihovi &nbsp;običaji,&nbsp;kultura,&nbsp; verovanja, način života,&nbsp; a od boravka na destinaciji oseti se i&nbsp; doprinos&nbsp; lokalnoj ekonomiji, društvenom&nbsp; i multikulturnom&nbsp; životu. Bez obzira,&nbsp; kakav&nbsp; događaj&nbsp; ili&nbsp; festival&nbsp; bio &nbsp;on predstavlja&nbsp; novi talas&nbsp;alternativnog&nbsp; turizma&nbsp; koji&nbsp; doprinosi &nbsp;održivom &nbsp;razvoju&nbsp; i&nbsp; poboljšava &nbsp;opdnos između&nbsp; domaćina i gosta&nbsp; a isto&nbsp;tako unapređuje &nbsp;destinacijski turistički proizvod. Tokom boravka na festivalu turista će konzumirati i ostale proizvode i usluge i multipliciraće efekte svog ostanka na destinaciji. Svakako taj se proces ne&nbsp;može ostvariti bez dobre koordinacije stejkholdera i njihove dobre međusobne umreženosti i saradnje.</p> / <p>On a global planetary scale events in general (festivals, congresses, conferences&nbsp; etc.), particularly those with&nbsp;a strong cultural component (such are: music festivals, film festivals,&nbsp; folklore festivals,&nbsp; other events and&nbsp; animation&nbsp;programs etc.) are substantially increasing in numbers. In addition to enhancing local pride in culture,&nbsp; they produce&nbsp;strong identity and image of local coummunity (they are branding the destination)&nbsp; these events could also expose&nbsp;indigenous national minorities to the increasing number of international visitors.&nbsp; Also, they could make many either&nbsp;positive or negative, economic, social, ecological, political or any&nbsp; other effect and consequences for/to destination.&nbsp;Events, namely festivals&nbsp; are&nbsp; a good occasion to&nbsp; show&nbsp; guests the&nbsp; new&nbsp; nations&nbsp; and&nbsp; their customs, culture, beliefs&nbsp; and&nbsp;lifestyles. From the&nbsp; stay&nbsp; of the tourists&nbsp; the&nbsp; resort&nbsp; could&nbsp; feel&nbsp; the&nbsp; contribution&nbsp; to&nbsp; the local economy, social life,&nbsp; multi-cultural&nbsp; life&nbsp; etc.&nbsp; Regardless, how big an&nbsp; event or festival is, it should and would represent a new wave&nbsp; of&nbsp; alternative&nbsp;tourism&nbsp; that contributes&nbsp; to sustainable development and&nbsp; improving&nbsp; the relationship between the&nbsp; host and the guest&nbsp;and also promote destination&rsquo;s tourism product. During ones stay at the festival, tourists will consume other products&nbsp;and services, and multiply effects of &nbsp;their stay at the destination.&nbsp; Certainly&nbsp; this process&nbsp; can not be achieved&nbsp; without&nbsp;<br />good coordination of stakeholders and their good inter-networking and cooperation.&nbsp;</p>

Enquanto alguns paises tem o ecoturismo como a sua principal fonte de renda, o Brasil nao explora a atividade de forma planejada, o que resulta, muitas vezes, na degradacao do meio ambiente e na descaracterizacao da diversidade cultural local. Assim sendo, este estudo pretende contribuir para a compreensao do processo de adaptacao de uma comunidade tradicional ao fenomeno do ecoturismo e dar um alerta para a necessidade de considerar a identidade cultural das populacoes locais como bem patrimonial e como elemento de risco no planejamento da atividade. Com esse intuito, foi realizado um Estudo de Caso, durante os anos de 2000 e 2001, com uma familia residente na praia de Martim de Sa, caracterizada como caicara. Essa comunidade foi escolhida, pois reside em um local onde o ecoturismo esta apenas comecando, fato que permitiu refletir a respeito das consequencias da atividade. Martim de Sa, apesar de estar inserida nos limites de duas Unidades de Conservacao da Natureza, esta sobre forte ameaca de degradacao ambiental devido a especulacao imobiliaria incentivada pelo crescimento do fluxo turistico sem planejamento e facilitado pela falta de fiscalizacao dos orgaos ambientais responsaveis por essas areas. Para o desenvolvimento do Estudo de Caso foram utilizadas nesta pesquisa a Observacao Participante e as entrevistas estruturadas com a finalidade de caracterizar a comunidade local e os turistas e, a Historia de Vida, para a reconstituicao da historia do nucleo receptor.

Enquanto alguns paises tem o ecoturismo como a sua principal fonte de renda, o Brasil nao explora a atividade de forma planejada, o que resulta, muitas vezes, na degradacao do meio ambiente e na descaracterizacao da diversidade cultural local. Assim sendo, este estudo pretende contribuir para a compreensao do processo de adaptacao de uma comunidade tradicional ao fenomeno do ecoturismo e dar um alerta para a necessidade de considerar a identidade cultural das populacoes locais como bem patrimonial e como elemento de risco no planejamento da atividade. Com esse intuito, foi realizado um Estudo de Caso, durante os anos de 2000 e 2001, com uma familia residente na praia de Martim de Sa, caracterizada como caicara. Essa comunidade foi escolhida, pois reside em um local onde o ecoturismo esta apenas comecando, fato que permitiu refletir a respeito das consequencias da atividade. Martim de Sa, apesar de estar inserida nos limites de duas Unidades de Conservacao da Natureza, esta sobre forte ameaca de degradacao ambiental devido a especulacao imobiliaria incentivada pelo crescimento do fluxo turistico sem planejamento e facilitado pela falta de fiscalizacao dos orgaos ambientais responsaveis por essas areas. Para o desenvolvimento do Estudo de Caso foram utilizadas nesta pesquisa a Observacao Participante e as entrevistas estruturadas com a finalidade de caracterizar a comunidade local e os turistas e, a Historia de Vida, para a reconstituicao da historia do nucleo receptor.

Abstracts in English, Zulu and Afrikaans / Globally, Visitor Information Centres are increasingly recognised touchpoints contributing to the success of tourism destinations. In Gauteng, South Africa, their numbers continue to decline. The service level of these remaining VICs differ across and fall below expectation. Furthermore, most models of operation are obsolete, with these centres having minimal exposure to best practices. Limited research focuses on the supply side, namely the staffing and management of centres. The study focuses on Gauteng VICs and the best practices that could improve future effectiveness. An exploratory design was followed which commenced with a concise review of best practice literature, global case studies and examples on the operation of effective VICs. An empirical study then reported on the opinions of 25 VIC staff and eight managers from eight Gauteng VICs regarding the current situation and future needs. A two-tiered approach was used to gather data via two custom-designed surveys with Gauteng VIC staff and managers respectively. A snowball sample of 25 staff members and a purposive sample of eight key informants were obtained. Data were analysed quantitatively using SPSS and qualitatively using thematic content analysis; and presented in three parts. The literature, the findings and the researcher’s recommendations culminate in a best practice framework for Gauteng VICs. The framework advocates for an integration of traditional and new media services and platforms in the dissemination of tourism information based on the funding available to a particular VIC. It is envisaged that if managers implement the best practice framework, it could avert further decline in the number of VICs. Moreover, it could improve their effectiveness in meeting the needs of the technologically-savvy and the traditional visitor, thereby ushering the Gauteng VICs into the 21st century. / Emhlabeni jikelele, izikhungo zolwazi zabavakashi (VICs) ziya ngokuya ziqashelwa njengamaphuzu okuxhumana abamba iqhaza ekuphumeleleni kwezindawo zezokuvakasha. EGauteng, eNingizimu Afrika inani labo, liyaqhubeka ngokwehla. Amazinga okusebenza kwalokho kwama-VIC asele ahluka ezindaweni zonkana futhi awela ngezansi kokulindelekile. Ngaphezu kwalokho, izinhlobo eziningi zezifanekiso zomsebenzi azisetshenziswa, nalezo zikhungo nokuba nokubanakaliswa okuncane nemikhuba ephambili. Ucwaningo olulinganiselwe lugxile ohlangothini lokunikezela, okuyizikhungo zabasebenzi nokuphathwa. Lolu cwaningo lugxile kuma-VIC aseGauteng kanye nemikhuba ephambili engase ithuthukise ukusebenza ngokuzayo. Umklamo oyisibonelo walandelwa okuyinto eyaqala ngokubuyekeza okufingqiwe okuhamba phambili kwezincwadi, izifundo zomhlaba nezibonelo zokusebenza ngempumelelo kwama-VIC. Ucwaningo lomdlandla lwabika ngemibono yamalungu abasebenzi abangama -25 beVIC nabaphathi abayisishiyagalombili abavela kuma-VIC ayisishiyagalombili aseGauteng mayelana nesimo samanje kanye nezidingo esikhathini esizayo. Izindlela ezimbili zokuhlaziya zasetshenziswa ukuqoqa imininingwane ngokusebenzisa izinhlolovo ezimbili ezenziwe ngokwezifiso nabasebenzi be-VIC eGauteng nabaphathi ngokulandelana Isampula yokudluliselwa (snowball sampling) kwamalungu abasebenzi abangama-25 kanye nesampula yokwahlulela ekhethayo (purposive sampling) yabafundisi abamqoka abayisishiyagalombili yatholakala. Imininingwane yahlaziywa ngokufanelekile kusetshenziswa iSPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) futhi ngokufanelekile kusetshenziswa ukuhlaziywa kwezindikimba okuqukethwe futhi yethulwa izingxenye ezintathu. Imibhalo, okutholakele kanye neziphakamiso zomcwaningi zifinyelele emkhubeni ophezulu wohlaka lwama-VIC aseGauteng. Uhlaka lummela ukuhlanganiswa kwendabuko futhi ukusebenzisa kwezokwazisa ngezinkundla ekusabalalisweni kolwazi lwezokuvakasha kusekelwe ngokuxhaswa ngezimali okutholakala ku-VIC ethile. Kucatshangwa ukuthi uma abaphathi beqalisa umkhuba ophambili wohlaka, kungase kugweme ukwehla okwengeziwe kwenani lama-VIC. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kungase kuthuthukise ukuphumelela kwabo ekuhlangabezaneni nezidingo zobuchwepheshe zokwenza izinqumo ezinhle kanye nesivakashi sendabuko, kanjalo kubonise ama-VIC ku-21st Century. / Besoekersinligtingsentrums word wêreldwyd toenemend erken as kontakpunte (touchpoints) wat tot die sukses van toerismebestemmings bydra. Die aantal besoekersinligtingsentrums in Gauteng, Suid- Afrika, toon ’n afname. Die diensvlakke van die oorblywende sentrums verskil en voldoen nie aan verwagtinge nie. Die bedryfsmodelle van die meeste van hierdie besoekersinligtingsentrums is ook verouderd en die betrokke sentrums het minimale blootstelling aan beste praktyk. Beperkte navorsing fokus op die aanbodkant, dit wil sê, die personeelvoorsiening en bestuur van besoekersinligtingsentrums. Hierdie studie fokus op besoekersinligtingsentrums in Gauteng en die beste praktyke wat hulle doeltreffendheid in die toekoms kan verbeter. Die navorser het ’n verkenningsontwerp gebruik, beginnende met ’n bondige oorsig van literatuur oor beste praktyk, wêreldwye gevallestudies en voorbeelde van die werkswyse van doeltreffende besoekersinligtingsentrums. Die navorser het daarna in ’n empiriese studie verslag oor die menings van 25 personeellede van besoekersinligtingsentrums en 8 bestuurders van 8 besoekersinligtingsentrums in Gauteng rakende die huidige stand en toekomstige behoeftes van die sentrums gelewer. Die navorser het ’n tweevlakkige benadering gevolg om data in te win deur twee aangemete opnames te gebruik om data van onderskeidelik personeellede en bestuurders van besoekersinligtingsentrums in Gauteng te bekom. ’n Sneeubalsteekproef van 25 personeellede en ’n doelbewuste steekproef van 8 sleutelrespondente is bekom. Data is kwantitatief met behulp van die Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) en kwalitatief deur middel van ’n tematiese inhoudsanalise ontleed en in drie dele aangebied. Die literatuur, die bevindings en die navorser se aanbevelings het op ’n raamwerk van bestek praktyk vir Gautengse besoekersinligtingsentrums uitgeloop. Ingevolge hierdie raamwerk moet tradisionele en nuwe mediadienste en -platforms geïntegreer word na gelang van die befondsing wat tot ’n bepaalde besoekersinligtingsentrum se beskikking is. Daar word voorsien dat indien sentrumbestuurders die bestepraktyk-raamwerk implementeer, dit ’n verdere afname in die aantal besoekersinligtingsentrums kan verhoed. Daarbenewens kan die raamwerk lei tot ’n verbetering in Gautengse besoekersinligtingsentrums se vermoë om in die behoeftes van beide tegnologies bedrewe en tradisionele besoekers te voorsien, en sodoende daartoe bydra dat die sentrums by die 21ste eeu aanpas. / Transport Economics, Logistics and Tourism / M. Com. (Tourism Management)