Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.

Cultural tourism is a vehicle for economic growth. Cultural representations are made in order to make the cultural tourism sector a more vibrant one. Given this argument, research in cultural tourism should take a critical stance in the analysis of cultural representations. An understanding of the meaning of culture is necessary to analyse the comparison of daily life with cultural representations. Observing the daily lives of host communities creates a conductive environment for realising and understanding the gaps between tourists experiences and the daily realities of the host communities. This research analysed how people represent their culture to tourists through the sale of crafts and dance performances. The research was carried out in Leboeng village, on the border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, near the small town of Ohrigstad.

Cultural tourism is a vehicle for economic growth. Cultural representations are made in order to make the cultural tourism sector a more vibrant one. Given this argument, research in cultural tourism should take a critical stance in the analysis of cultural representations. An understanding of the meaning of culture is necessary to analyse the comparison of daily life with cultural representations. Observing the daily lives of host communities creates a conductive environment for realising and understanding the gaps between tourists experiences and the daily realities of the host communities. This research analysed how people represent their culture to tourists through the sale of crafts and dance performances. The research was carried out in Leboeng village, on the border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, near the small town of Ohrigstad.

Tourism is one of the key industries that drive the global economy, playing a key role in regional development. However, constant change, trends and tourist behaviour compel drive destinations to keep track of these changes in order to grow tourism and stimulate economic growth. Mpumalanga is one of the provinces in South Africa known for its flora and fauna, beautiful landscape, and game reserves together with wildlife; therefore, having the potential to draw tourists to the province. Mpumalanga province aim to position itself as a destination of choice. A process of segmenting should however first take place as positioning is the end result. The purpose of the present study was to segment and profile tourists based on benefits sought in order to develop a benefit segmentation framework for Mpumalanga. The data collection procedure was based on a self-administered survey applied to a sample of 400 tourists visiting Mpumalanga, and two segments were identified. Binary logistic regression indicated that benefits sought (all nine) were statistically significant predictors of the attractions tourists visited and the activities within which they participated during their stay in Mpumalanga. A benefit segmentation framework was developed as a recommendation, which may be useful in developing promotional and packaging activities for identified segments by incorporating activities and attractions obtained from the binary logistic regression results and by matching them within the identified segment while using benefits as guidelines. / Business Management / M. Com. (Tourism Management)

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The purpose of this study was to determine the community perceptions based on cost–benefit analysis approach to developing a tourism route. The Ehlanzeni District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province is proposing the development of a new community-based tourism route in the Umjindi Local Municipality. The route will start from the R40 road gateway to Umjindi Local Municipality, it then stretches to Umjindi township, ending in Barberton town. The aim of a tourism route is brings together a variety of activities and attractions under a theme, and it develops opportunities of products and services. The literature review in the study is drawn from host communities’ perception on tourism development, South African and international perspective on cost–benefit analysis of tourism development. Routes are considered important because they promote local economic development. The impact of tourism development in a local society is demonstrated throughout this study. Through an analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data collected, it was found that community perceived the cost is less than what they will actually benefit from the development of the proposed tourism route. The community perceives that the costbenefit of the development of a tourism route is associated with issues of the economy, social, cultural and environment.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Various studies have indicated problems of water pollution in South Africa, with some of them highlighting the high concentrations of chemical pollutants in the Loskop Dam. These reports show how pollution in the dam has affected aquatic life and poses a health risk. However, limited studies have been conducted on the impact of declining water quality on tourism in Loskop Dam. These studies focus more on the ecological aspect of the dam. Therefore, the main objective of the current study is to explore how tourism is affected by the declining water quality in Loskop Dam by examining the impacts of water pollution on the tourism sector linked to Loskop Dam and associated socio-economic effects. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect information from small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) employees and freshwater tourists, and interviews were conducted with SME managers to get more information on tourism activities, water pollution in Loskop Dam, as well as information on the impacts of decreased water quality. The outcome is that a decrease in water quality affects tourism negatively, inclusive of recreational activities, business operations, and subsequently having a negative social and economic impact on Loskop visitors and employees. / National Research Foundation (NRF)