This research investigates the impact of the Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) on tourism development by comparing the implementation of the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM) with the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM). In the latter instance, there is no development agency involved. A qualitative approach to research is applied with a specific focus on in-depth interviews. The literature review focuses on responsible tourism, local economic development (LED) and development agencies. The research is grounded in the Endogenous Growth Theory. The research notes the phenomenal success of the development agency model for delivery of LED projects. There is a notable growth in the tourism sector within the BCRM. With 45 permanent jobs created, the BCRM is a better place as compared to what it was in the era prior to the establishment of the BCDA. This surpasses by far the number of jobs created in the SRVM where the development agency model does not exist. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) prefers a district-wide development agency as opposed to a local development agency. The establishment of Cacadu Development Agency (CDA) follows this suggestion. The findings of this research are thus very significant for the SALGA in their pursuit for best practices in LED. Both the BCRM and the SRVM are under-marketed, a negative factor on their tourism growth and development. Placing of billboards at the Ncanara interchange to advertise them would ideally enhance their tourism marketing campaigns. The research also finds that both local municipalities have inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems for projects. In this respect, the research suggests that the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) should consider conducting a provincial research covering all the districts, on the contribution of tourism to the local economies. As a provincial entity, the ECPTA would be better placed to undertake that task. They would have less legal restrictions imposed by jurisdictional issues than would a local municipality. The research recommends the relocation of the CDA and the CDM from the metropolitan city of Port Elizabeth to one of the local municipalities. That would most likely increase business tourism, thereby boosting the local economy in the relevant small municipality. In conclusion, this research proposes that the presence of a development agency enhances tourism growth and development in the BCRM.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research project has been to investigate support provision for tourism-focused micro-enterprise development in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and to evaluate the effectiveness of available support in assisting emerging micro-entrepreneurs to break into the tourism industry. General trends in the tourism sector are discussed, in relation to the province as a whole and more specifically concerning the areas in which research was undertaken, highlighting prospects for potential growth of the sector and its contribution to the local economy. Results of a survey undertaken among Eastem Cape tourism micro-enterprises are presented, and findings further explored through in-depth case studies and a sector sub-survey of crafters. Currently available support programmes are then assessed in terms of their relevance for the microenterprise sector and constraints identified. The research reveals that although the volume of assistance available may appear to be great, little of real significance is currently reaching emerging micro-entrepreneurs. Recommendations for future programmes to more effectively address the needs of tourism-focused micro-entrepreneurs are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die projek ondersoek ondersteunjngsmaatre~ls vir kleinsake in die toerismebedryf van die Ooskaap en evalueer die doeltreffendheid van bestaande ondersteunings ten voordele van opkomende mikro-ondernemings. Teen die agtergrond van die toerismebedryf in die Ooskaap val die klem van die studie op die sogenaamde Wild Coast asook op Mdantsane/Ooos-London. Algemene tendense in die toerismesector word bespreek, sowel wat die provinsie betref asook, meer spesifiek, die ondersoekgebiede. Die uitslae van 'n opname onder Ooskaapse mikroondernemers word uitgespel en bespreek, aangevul deur enkele gevallestudies en 'n sektoropname onder 'n groep kunsflyt-ondernemers. In die lig van die insette word bestaande hulpprogramme evalueer vir hulle toepaslikheid met betrekking tot mikro-ondernemers en die struikelblokke wat deur hulle ondervind word. Uit die evaluasies blyk dit dat, nieteenstaande die groot diversiteit van programme, min ondersteuning werklik die beoogde groep -beginners" bereik. Aanbevelings word gemaak met die oog op die teikengroep in die Ooskaap, maar word ook gemik op die wyer debat oor toerismebevordeirng by die opkomende kleinskaalbedrywe dwarsoor Afrika. Terwyl Suid-Afrika staan voor 'n deurbraak van (swart) kleinsake ondernemings in die toerisme sektor sal so 'n deurbraak in ander Afrikalande heelwat langer neem en inisi~el heel selektief ptaasvind.

The application of internet marketing techniques has been widespread in the hospitality sector worldwide, with many hotels crafting websites for marketing purposes. However, there is still a debate and speculation on the impact of internet marketing on business performance and profitability. Given the well-recognised value of internet marketing in the hospitality and tourism industry, this study sought to examine the impact of internet marketing on the profitability of the hospitality sector in South Africa and to establish factors which influence internet marketing usage. In order to achieve these objectives, a perceptual survey was conducted in graded hotels and lodges in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Multiple linear regression analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between internet marketing and business profitability as well as the relationship between organisational and environmental factors and internet marketing usage. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the use of internet marketing can positively influence business profitability. It is also concluded that internet marketing experience moderates the relationship between internet marketing usage and business profitability. The results also indicate that factors such as technological competence, managerial support, level of star grading and alliances significantly influence internet marketing usage. Thus, from the findings of this study, it was concluded that hotels and lodges can enhance their profitability through internet marketing usage.

The former Transkei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa, in common with many of the other former Bantustans, is currently facing a developmental backlog. It is one of the poorest regions of the country and is a direct product of South Africa’s history of colonisation and geopolitical nature of apartheid in which people were forcibly located onto former tribal lands, called Bantustans. Tourism is one of the few business opportunities providing employment along the former Transkei coast. The tourism industry has been identified by many worldwide as a key strategy that can lead to economic upliftment, community development and poverty relief in the developing world. The predicament however, lies in the challenge of accepting or managing the negative consequences of tourism for the potential long term benefits offered by tourism-led development. Tourism development theory reflects development theory from traditional, top-down economic-growth based models to a more wide based approach with an emphasis on bottom-up planning, meeting of basic human need and a focus on sustainable development. Consequentially new and alternative forms of tourism have emerged and can be viewed as a response to some of the negative consequences of the mass tourism-led model of economic development. Backpacker tourism is one niche of the tourism market that is providing positive local socioeconomic benefits. This thesis is presented as a case study of Mdumbi Backpackers on the former Transkei coast. Mdumbi Backpackers is a unique example of a model of tourism that is providing meaningful benefits to the people who live in this community. By going one step further with the creation of the non-profit organisation Transcape, their involvement in the community has grown significantly, encouraging positive and sustainable development in the areas of social development, education and health. Mdumbi Backpackers goes beyond the notions of locally owned and sustainable approaches and actively encourages development by setting up community organisations and initiatives in a sustainable and equitable way. This approach to tourism-led development is well suited for the needs and objectives of the community as well preserving the natural environment. This thesis presents an exemplary example from which lessons can be learned and applied to developing tourism in a sustainable and equitable way in other rural communities.

Research show that post 1996 period has experienced an unprecedented increase in game based operations. The corporate citizenship or corporate social responsibility of the game reserves is of much interest to this study with a focus on the rights of previous and current occupants of farms, workers’ well-being, job creation, quality of life and poverty alleviation within the game/tourism industry. The research was conducted as a qualitative case study and the tools employed for data gathering include: a review of the relevant literature, interviews (face-to-face), the administering of a questionnaire survey and document analysis from diversity of resources which include the Department of Labour, East Cape Agricultural Research Project, and through use of multiple data sources. The approach taken in this dissertation is to examine to what extent the private game reserves in the Makana Municipality can be labelled as “corporate citizens” and this was done by means of a case study of one private game reserve. The areas that are deemed to be most important in this regard are (i) employment history (ii) educational opportunities (iii) wages (iv) housing (v) land tenure. The study established that younger, better educated people are likely to secure better paying employment on PGR. The nature and conditions of sale of the farm to the PGR can impact on the employment secured by workers in the new dispensation. Workers are tied to these jobs because of the very long hours that prevent them from doing anything else to earn money. Some of the workers had opportunities to learn new skills but the question remains; which people are these and how long will growing differentials in earnings reproduce the poorly educated worker in the next generation. The study also high lightened the need for academics and researchers to come with a common set of corporate citizenship measures such as to measure corporate social impacts.