Interim Report of the Factors Influencing the Success of Community Tourism in South Africa Essays

Interim Report of the Factors Influencing the Success of Community Tourism in South Africa Essays Interim Report of the Factors Influencing the Success of Community Tourism in South Africa Essay Interim Report of the Factors Influencing the Success of Community Tourism in South Africa Essay Submitted to: ACTS South Africa PO Box 13911 Mowbray South Africa 7705 South Africa 30 November 2009 Submitted by: FinnGroup Ltd Group 3 Helin Henrietta 09163185 Makinen Outi 07083938 Raudaskoski Heli 09163176 Tuominen Katja-Mirjami 07084112 Introduction In this consultancy report we will discuss about the concepts of community tourism and pro-poor tourism and their sustainability both in general and in the context of South Africa. The first section of the report introduces sustainable tourism development and its current trends. The next section discusses community tourism and pro-poor tourism; their connection to sustainable tourism development. After the general theory, the report moves on to discuss these issues in the context of tourism in South Africa. It will consider the tourism policy framework and practises to date. We will critically analyse the positive and negative aspects of tourism development in local communities as well as in general level in South Africa. After the main body of the report we will make carefully considered recommendations for future policy making and practises of sustainable tourism development in the destination. c. The meaning of sustainable tourism development: a critical analysis of current trends (Raudaskoski Heli) The concept of sustainable tourism development has become a widely accepted practice in tourism industry worldwide within the last decade (Sharpley, 2000). As tourism industry continues to grow, the importance of integrating sustainable approach with tourism development becomes extremely necessary (UNEP WHO, 2005). Especially the growth of mass tourism has led to many problems including environmental, social and cultural dimensions (Mowforth Munt, 2009). The importance of sustainable travel and tourism was recognized in tourism-related literature in the early 1990’s (Cohen, 2002). Many of the world’s tourists are seeking to visit well-preserved historical and cultural attractions in destinations that are located in authentic, clean and fragile environments (UNEP WHO, 2005). In order to secure the industry’s future, the tenets of sustainability should be included in the tourism development; tourism policymaking and practice. (Cohen, 2002) In 2005, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization defined that the aims of sustainable tourism development are to minimize the negative impacts that tourism has on the destinations’ local environments as well as to increase the benefits of the industry growth in the communities (UNEP WHO, 2005). . A critical overview of community tourism and pro-poor tourism as sustainable approaches to tourism development in the developing world (Makinen Outi) Community tourism gives a possibility to local people to get involved in tourism business by offering tours and activities in the destination and develop the sustainable tourism. (Mann, 2000) The requisite is that the community is surrounded by the physical environment and it reflects to local economic activities and lifestyles. S ingh et al, 2003) Locals are benefiting from the tourism in many ways such as being part of the decision-making, ownership and receiving profits from any tourism ventures. According to United Nations, â€Å"the most sustainable form of tourism will be achieved when local people take control of their lives and determine to live according to their traditions on their own terms. † (2001, pp. 11) Policy and regulations, funding, planning and education are the key components in achieving the sustainability in community tourism according to Choi Sirakaya’s research results in 2005. Richard and Hall assert that there is no sustainable tourism development without community sustainability. Communities need to support themselves on the basis of available resources such as the environment globally and locally. (2000) Pro-poor tourism gives poor people a possibility to actively participate in tourism. (Ashley, et al. , 2001) The degree of control is significant element of sustainability and the debate is how local communities should be involved in the sustainable development of tourism in their area. If sustainable tourism development is successful, it may help pro-poor tourism to reduce the poverty in different levels. (Mowforth Munt, 2003) To achieve the sustainable tourism in poor regions tourism development needs to be well planned and managed and the overall environmental quality needs to be maintained and improved. Poverty reduction impacts should be taken into consideration when assessing sustainability. (WTO, 2002) e. Community tourism and pro-poor tourism in South Africa: a critical review of practice to date (Helin Henrietta) In 1996 the government of South Africa published the White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism which set frameworks for South Africa’s new tourism policy. (Richards Wilson, 2007) The White Paper identifies that community-based tourism has a lot of potential on developing South Africa’s economy and implies many examples of community participation possibilities. It also recognises the difficulties of community tourism, for example a lack of awareness, lack of information or training and lack of access to finance. Hughes Vaughan, 2001) Over the last decade there have been major changes in tourism development and actions in community tourism and pro-poor tourism have become more common. The government and the private sector have created many strategies to improve country’s tourism opportunities. (Spenceley, 2003) One of the most noticeable changes in South Africa has been the founding of a community tourism body. (Hughes Vaughan, 2001) In order to ex plore pro-poor tourism in South Africa, five private sector tourism companies’ performance in economic, social and environmental sustainability was reviewed during 2001-2002. These five companies have used several pro-poor strategies including employment opportunities, business opportunities and material donations. (Spenceley Seif, 2003) There are also a number of critical issues affecting the viability of pro-poor tourism strategies: even though partnerships with private sector can be beneficial for host communities, it means that local communities cannot be in control of tourism in the area. (Singh, et al. , 2003) In some cases the benefits of these partnerships are really low at a household level. Spenceley, 2003) The positive impacts of small tourism enterprises in relation to the amount of people are not felt by many and poor people and pro-poor tourism products are in remote areas with poor infrastructure. (Spenceley Seif, 2003) f. A critical overview of provision and trends in South African tourism since 1994, including a review of the policy framework (Tuominen Katja-Mirjami) South African policies are based on the legal and political context fo llowing the country’s first democratic elections in 1994. Spenceley Seif, 2003) South Africa has aimed to build a post-apartheid heritage since 1994 through establishment of local museums and new heritage trails; (Hughes, 2006) alleviation of poverty within disadvantaged areas and sustainable economic development are the cornerstones of new policies in the post-apartheid South Africa. (Spenceley Seif, 2003) The White Paper of 1996 recognised tourism as an important tool for economic development emphasising community based tourism initiatives; however what constitutes â€Å"community based tourism† is not clearly defined. Hughes Vaughan, 2001) Catering, accommodation, services and attractions are considered suitable sectors for community-based tourism initiatives; in urban areas historic and political sites will also have an important role. (Hughes Vaughan, 2001) Apartheid-period policies still overshadow the tourism industry; although as a tourism destination South Africa is very attractive, many tourists feel the impact of the past policies and are unwilling to visit. (Government of South Africa, 1996) Since 1994 South Africa has seen a vast increase in the number of international tourists and domestic visitors. Hughes, 2006) The private sector consists of large-scale sites such as the Apartheid Museum and Voortrekker Monument and â€Å"small-scale recreations of ‘tradition’†, cultural villages and township tours. (Hughes, 2006:279) The tours and cultural villages are the main forms of community tourism in South Africa; as private initiatives they are largely geared towards the foreign visitor market. (Hughes, 2006) Provisional statement Terms sustainability, sustainable development, tourism development, sustainable tourism, pro-poor tourism and community tourism and the policy framework are discussed more detailed in the final report. After going through different sources of sustainable tourism development, community and pro-poor tourism in general and in the case of South Africa we have identified few preliminary recommendations to be made in the destination. As discussed earlier in the report, there have been difficulties in defining many terms related to sustainable tourism development. There should be clear definitions and understandings between different stakeholders in order to make South African tourism truly sustainable. With effective planning, communities could benefit more from tourism. Local communities should have more control over tourism development instead of the private sector. In one hand, the local communities need support of the private sector but on the other hand the private sector should not interfere too much, as it makes the local communities feel that they are not in control of tourism in their communities. It is important to include the locals into tourism business. Another problem in South Africa is that some of the pro-poor tourism products are located in remote areas; therefore there is a need for better infrastructure and access to these areas. Bibliography Ashley et al (2001) Pro-Poor Tourism Strategies: Making Tourism work for the Poor, Nottingham: The Russell Press Choi, H. C. Sirakaya, E. 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(2003) â€Å"Tourism, local livelihoods and the private sector in South Africa: case studies on the growing role of the private sector in natural resources Management†, Sustainable Livelihoods in Southern Africa Research Paper 8, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies Spenceley, A. Seif, J. (2003) â€Å"PPT working paper no. 11: Strategies, impacts and costs of pro-poor tourism approaches in South Africa†, Pro-poor Tourism, propoortourism. org. uk/11_South_Africa. pdf [Accessed 19/10/09 United Nations Environment Programme World Tourism Organization (2005) Making Tourism More Suitable: a guide for Policy Makers United Nations (2001) Managing Sustainable Tourism Development, New York: United Nations, p 11 World Tourism Organisation, (2002) Tourism and the Poverty Alleviation, WTO