Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The potential for tourism to contribute to the economy of South Africa has been embraced by the new democratic government for a lengthy period. In order for government to benefit fully from tourism, it has charted out strategies and policies to make tourism grow and for communities to also benefit from the activities emanating from tourism. Although these measures to support the growth, development and sustainability of tourism SMMEs are in place, implementation remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the growth and development strategies have been implemented in Limpopo province to support the sustainability of Tourism SMMEs in Polokwane. This is done through the interogation of the literature to determine the major objectives of the tourism growth and development strategies in Limpopo Province, the challenges faced by tourism SMMEs and also to gain feedback through empirical studies on the effectiveness of, and support of the Tourism Growth and Development Strategies.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Literature has shown that tourism provides benefits such as revenue generation, employment, regional development and economic prosperity to destination communities. The tourism industry is a highly labour intensive industry; hence it is a valuable source of employment. It employs a large number of people and provides a wide range of jobs, which extend from the unskilled to the highly specialised. Tourism industry plays an important role in the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipal economy and it has the potential to address the socio-economic challenges facing the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal area. The study recommends, based on its findings, the importance of tourism development in building the economy of Ba-Phalaborwa. Firstly, the municipality should consider establishing a municipal entity as per the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which will be responsible for tourism in the area. Secondly, a clear marketing strategy for all special events, including the marula festival, in the area should be developed in consultation with all the stakeholders. Thirdly, the infrastructure, such as streets, electricity and sanitation, in the area should be upgraded to meet the future demand and expansion of the tourism industry.

The main aim of the study was to analyze the socio-economic variables effecting agritourism business using data from two rural communities of the Limpopo province, Nwa’metwa and Lenyenye. The results showed that there are significant socio-economic differences among agritourism and non-agritourism farmers. The socio-economic variables used are literacy, gender, age, land size and family size. Two multinomial models were used to model agritourism behavior. The two models, namely fully and partially registered agritourism farmers were estimated. Non-registered agritourism farmers were used as the reference group. These models denoted the relative probability of both fully and partially registered agritourism farmers to the probability of the non-registered agritourism farmers. The logarithm results implied that older farmers were less likely to prefer to operate business as a fully or partially registered agritourism farmer compared to the non-registered agritourism group. Farmers’ decisions in business operation were informed by their level of education, experience as well as social networks. / Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Thesis (MA (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis, I examine the case study of the Makuleke in Limpopo province. This community entered the public spotlight when it regained its former homeland in the Kruger National Park. It currently partakes in an extensive programme on ‘responsible tourism’ via commercial expansion. This concession allows (or is supposed to allow) for increased community development and economic growth in the Makuleke region. The community has become more business-like in their approach to this concession. This process is encapsulated by the formalisation of the land management structures in what I refer to as Makuleke Inc. Makuleke Inc. has at its heart a ‘cultural business’, of which an ‘authentic Makuleke’ is presented and traded. I detail the production of unique, bona fide culture through branding (that is, commercial representation). This practice contributes to new or different configurations of identity and collective belonging. “ / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie navorsingstuk behartig ek die gevallestudie van die Makuleke in Limpopo. Hierdie gemeenskap het die publieke oog betree nadat sy tuisland in die Kruger Nasionale Wildtuin teruggewen is. Tans is dit betrokke by ‘n omvattende program in ‘verantwoordelike toerisme’ deur middel van kommersiële ontwikkeling. Hierdie konsessie dra by (of is veronderstel om by te dra) tot verhoogde gemeenskaps- en ekonomiese groei in die Makuleke omgewing. Die gemeenskap se benadering tot genoemde toegewing is besigheids-georiënteerd. Hierdie proses word gekenmerk deur die formalisering van die grond-beheerstrukture deur wat ek noem Makuleke Inc. (ingelyf). Makuleke Inc. is as’t ware ‘n ‘kulturele onderneming’, waar ‘n ‘egte Makuleke’ voorgestel en verhandel word. Ek beskryf die produksie van ‘n unieke, egte kultuur deur die gebruik van handelsmerke (dit is, kommersiële voorstelling). Hierdie proses dra by tot nuwe of ander gestaltes van identiteit en gemeenskaplikheid.

The main aim of the study was to analyze the socio-economic variables effecting agritourism business using data from two rural communities of the Limpopo province, Nwa’metwa and Lenyenye. The results showed that there are significant socio-economic differences among agritourism and non-agritourism farmers. The socio-economic variables used are literacy, gender, age, land size and family size. Two multinomial models were used to model agritourism behavior. The two models, namely fully and partially registered agritourism farmers were estimated. Non-registered agritourism farmers were used as the reference group. These models denoted the relative probability of both fully and partially registered agritourism farmers to the probability of the non-registered agritourism farmers. The logarithm results implied that older farmers were less likely to prefer to operate business as a fully or partially registered agritourism farmer compared to the non-registered agritourism group. Farmers’ decisions in business operation were informed by their level of education, experience as well as social networks. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (GAES). Johannesburg, October 2017. / Climate and weather-related impacts have become widespread particularly affecting the tourism industry. Changes in the climate and weather lead to changes in tourist seasons, products and travel opportunities. Flooding has gained research attention over the past decade, since the destruction creates many challenges for tourism businesses. Floods are a growing global problem, increasing in terms of frequency of occurrence, property damages, business economic losses, and fatalities. South Africa has begun to experience many annual flood events both coastal and in-land, but the Limpopo Province has been declared as flood disaster area, since the increase in temperatures and precipitation. Interest now lies on how particular tourist destinations in the Limpopo Province can adapt to reduce flooding risks whilst increasing opportunities mainly for the economy. Debates around flooding costs, recovery processes, and adaptive capacities affirm to be more challenging for the tourism accommodation sector. The study aimed to explore the perceived flooding impacts on different types of tourist accommodation. Thus, to determine if floods hindered any tourist bookings, offerings, and tourist length of stay. The exploration verified the possible flood risks to vulnerable accommodation and no adequate adaptation plans. A purposeful sample of 145 tourist accommodation businesses located across three flood-prone regions of the Limpopo Province were selected to answer a semi-structured questionnaire to put across their flooding experiences from a management perspective. The semi-structured questionnaire was combined with telephone interviews and email responses. Coherent theme development within the theoretical framework was achieved through content analysis. Content analysis allowed for the critical discussion of deductive and inductive themes found in the results. Floods during peak-seasons threaten and affect tourist accommodation, leaving them behind in business. Those not affected benefit with increased tourist demand and new opportunities in the hospitality industry. Tourist accommodation businesses are exposed to flood risks and experience challenges to assess, recover and adapt from the direct and indirect impacts. Alongside the destruction of tourism in these regions, were concerns of the provision of flood mapping and flood management plans for tourism businesses. Wider flooding impacts on the environment and the surrounding local communities demonstrates a growing problem for the future. Key words: floods; tourist accommodation; flooding impacts; risks; opportunities; tourist demand; adaptation; flood recovery, flood mapping, flood management plans. / LG2018

Department of Business Management / MPM

Increasingly, third-world countries are relying on ecotourism to boost their economies. Similar to other forms of tourism, ecotourism as a business initiative is perceived to contribute positively to economic development. However, tourism service providers generally do not deliver satisfactory services to ecotourists due to misunderstanding the segment’s needs and the customer traits. In emerging countries such as South Africa, which has a conducive economic environment for tourism businesses, some provincial departments such as the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has set objectives to make the Limpopo province a preferred ecotourism destination. These have been propagated by service providers who passively participate in ecotourism yet claim to be ecotourism service providers. Moreover, the attitude of passiveness by service providers is derived from insufficient knowledge of the ecotourist. This set the foundation for the current study, which sought to provide detailed profiles of ecotourists in the Capricorn District Municipality in order to gain a clear understanding of the ecotourists visiting the Limpopo province. The study reviewed theoretical and empirical works conducted by tourism scholars. The study was developed on a descriptive research design and employed a quantitative approach. It made use of self-administered questionnaires with a sample of 295 participants selected from tourism establishments and attractions in the region, utilising convenience and purposive sampling methods respectively. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24 and Microsoft Office Excel was used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, cluster analysis and Chi-square tests were conducted to analyse the data of the study. The findings revealed demographic, psychographic and behavioural descriptors associated with the ecotourists in the Capricorn District Municipality. In addition, information sources preferred by ecotourists in the Capricorn District Municipality were identified. It is envisaged that the findings of the study will be of value to ecotourism service providers as they will provide a sound understanding of ecotourists and thereby help to deliver satisfactory ecotourist experiences. This will ultimately provide valuable input for the planning of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in promoting the Limpopo province as a preferred ecotourism destination in South Africa.

MA (Political Science) / Department of Development Studies / See the attached abstract below

Inadequate attention has been paid to the complexity of rural livelihoods and the dimensions of poverty. Although progress has been achieved in poverty reduction in many countries over the years, statistics indicate that there is still much to be done. Nearly half of the population of South Africa is poor. Sustainable Livelihood Approaches see poverty reduction as achievable through diversification of livelihood strategies. Communities can benefit from the development of tourism through employment, financial gains, infrastructure creation and cultural revitalisation. While fees charged for tourism activities have the potential to contribute to locals, they are rarely controlled by them. The aim of this study was to formulate a Sustainable Livelihood Framework for Tourism (SLFT) along the African Ivory Route. The study involved fourteen villages near Fundudzi, Mtomeni and Nthubu camps which were purposively selected as they represented the three main ethnic groups in the province. Mixed method research design was used and included qualitative and quantitative approaches. A 10% sample was selected from the total number of households. Questionnaires, focus group and key informant interviews were used to collect data. The data was analysed and presented in tables, graphs and maps. The perceptions of the communities towards the African Ivory Route were both positive and negative. The benefits included, improved network, community empowerment and development of infrastructure. The constraints included, conflicts, mistrust, political interference and power struggle among the various institutions. The study concluded that the African Ivory Route has not achieved sustainable livelihoods outcomes for the concerned communities. The recommendation was that frameworks for maximising benefits from tourism were necessary to directly support community development. Communities, Institutions, Tourists and Environment (CITE) framework was conceptualised to assess the best way for attaining positive sustainable livelihoods outcomes. / Geography / Ph. D. (Geography)