published_or_final_version / China Area Studies / Master / Master of Arts

published_or_final_version / Geography / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.Tech.: Tourism and Hospitality Management)-Durban University of Technology, 2007 xi, 130 leaves / Tourism is one of the world's major industries and is increasing in importance as a source of substantial employment and of great economical and social benefit to many regions around the world. China has the world’s largest population and it has been predicted that China will become one of the world’s major sources of international travellers in the 21st century. Although the outbound travel industry in China has only been developing in recent years, there has been an increasing number of outbound Chinese going all over the world. South Africa is one of the countries that are beginning to be penetrated by the emerging Chinese outbound traveller market. The purpose of this study is to examine the South Africa inbound tourism industry’s readiness for the increasing Chinese tourist market to South Africa and also to examine South Africa as a secondary international destination for the Chinese traveller. The study also aims to explore the Chinese travellers’ interests and major concerns when travelling to South Africa and the expectations of the inbound tour operators in Shanghai. A purposive sample of 118 respondents from Shanghai’s tourism industry participated in the study.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master Degree of Technelogy: Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The South African tourism industry is becoming an important service sector in this country, which is attracting increasing international tourists in recent years. China, as a fast developing country, will be exerting greater influence on the development of tourism worldwide over the next decade. In particular, the impact of rapid growth of China's outbound tourism market has been felt by South Africa. A feature that South Africa's tourism marketers need to understand is the different demographics of the Chinese population and their different perceptions on SouthAfrican tourism. The purpose of this study is to identify, analyze and evaluate factors that could impact positively and/or negatively on the image of South Africa as a tourist destination among prospective tourists from China. It examines the opinions and perceptions of Chinese tourists in Shanghai. The research evaluates the kinds of perceptions and attitudes held by Chinese tourists towards South African tourism. The study was conducted with the assistance of fieldworkers in Shanghai who helped the research complete all the interviews and questionnaires. Data was analysed through the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), and findings, conclusions, and recommendations are presented. The study provides the recommendations to South African tourism organizations to take into considerationthe seriousness of Chinese tourists' understanding and perceptions towards South Africa as an emerging tourism destination as results indicate that many Chinese tourists do not quite understand South Africa and lack proper knowledge and information. Findings indicated that, although many Chinese tourists do know about South Africa as a tourist destination, they do / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: Tourism and Hospitality Management)-Durban University of Technology, 2007 xi, 130 leaves / Tourism is one of the world's major industries and is increasing in importance as a source of substantial employment and of great economical and social benefit to many regions around the world. China has the world’s largest population and it has been predicted that China will become one of the world’s major sources of international travellers in the 21st century. Although the outbound travel industry in China has only been developing in recent years, there has been an increasing number of outbound Chinese going all over the world. South Africa is one of the countries that are beginning to be penetrated by the emerging Chinese outbound traveller market. The purpose of this study is to examine the South Africa inbound tourism industry’s readiness for the increasing Chinese tourist market to South Africa and also to examine South Africa as a secondary international destination for the Chinese traveller. The study also aims to explore the Chinese travellers’ interests and major concerns when travelling to South Africa and the expectations of the inbound tour operators in Shanghai. A purposive sample of 118 respondents from Shanghai’s tourism industry participated in the study.

[vddisc. 1] 大屿山一日遊(1) -- [vddisc. 2] 大屿山一日遊(2) -- [vddisc. 3] 海洋公園一日遊(1) -- [vddisc. 4] 海洋公園一日遊(2) / [vddisc. 1] Dayushan yi ri you (1) -- [vddisc. 2] Dayushan yi ri you (2) -- [vddisc. 3] Hai yang gong yuan yi ri you (1) -- [vddisc. 4] Hai yang gong yuan yi ri you (2) / by Cheng Sheung Yan, Amy, Chiu Mei Wah, Annie. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-68). / Accompanying discs in VCD format. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.v / Chapter / Chapter I. --- BACKGROUND --- p.1 / Purpose of Study --- p.1 / Importance of Tourism to Hong Kong --- p.1 / The Growing Market - China the Mainland --- p.3 / Government Response and Policies --- p.5 / Increasing Number of Complaints from Mainland Visitors --- p.7 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.9 / Customer Retention --- p.10 / Tourists' Satisfaction --- p.12 / Tourists' Perceptions and Satisfaction --- p.14 / Chapter III. --- METHODLOGY --- p.16 / Critical Incident Technique --- p.17 / Research Implementation --- p.19 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS --- p.20 / Trip A: Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery --- p.20 / Critical Incidents --- p.21 / Trip B: Ocean Park --- p.26 / Critical Incidents --- p.27 / Generalisation of Two Trips --- p.33 / On Tour Guides --- p.34 / On Shopping --- p.35 / On Price --- p.36 / On Food --- p.36 / Chapter V. --- IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.38 / Tour Guides --- p.39 / Language Proficiency --- p.39 / Knowledge About Hong Kong --- p.39 / Interaction with Tourists --- p.40 / Attitudes --- p.41 / Travel Agencies --- p.42 / Market Segmentation --- p.42 / Target Marketing --- p.45 / Differentiation --- p.46 / Retailing Staff --- p.50 / Infrastructure of Tourism Industry --- p.51 / Big Buddha --- p.51 / Repulse Bay --- p.52 / Ocean Park --- p.52 / Chapter VI. --- CONCLUSION AND LIMITATIONS --- p.54 / APPENDICES --- p.56 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.65

Abstract not available