LIST OF CURRENT AND COMPLETED RESEARCH STUDIES

In many countries, tourism research is advanced in terms of institutional coordination and continuous provision of reliable and acceptable research information in the sector. In South Africa, however, there are a number of limitations with regard to tourism research and information. The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) in particular indicates that although significant progress has been made in tourism research and information since 1994, there are still a number of shortcomings. In particular, there is limited knowledge and awareness amongst stakeholders regarding the research studies conducted within the country by the national government, academic institutions, provinces, destinations or private sector. As a result of this challenge, there is often duplication of efforts and wastage of resources. It is in this light that the National Department of Tourism (NDT) embarked on an initiative to consolidate research studies conducted within the sector in order to facilitate information sharing among tourism stakeholders.

The list comprises of research studies conducted as well as journal articles and conference papers published/presented between 2013 and 2015. Research studies undertaken in the financial year 2015/16 are also hghlighted.

It is, however, important to note that the list is limited to information received from participating stakeholders and as such, should not be viewed as exhaustive of all tourism research studies conducted in the country.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Information about the research studies, journal articles and conference papers is available from the respective organisations (refer to the list for link/contact details).

Coming soon: Analysis of completed and current research studies

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE TOURISM-TRANSPORT INTERFACE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Published Date : 17 May 2021 - 6.70 MB

The overall aim of the study is to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism-Transport Interface in South Africa with a view to proposing a scenario where this relationship might create opportunities for tourism to prosper post COVID-19. The research followed a three-step process beginning with a systematic description, based on literature and secondary data, of the overall tourism/transport interface and the modes of transport, with particular reference to air and road transport. Thereafter interviews with senior stakeholders in the airline, bus/coach and car rental industries were conducted. The third step in the research method was to conduct scenario planning workshops with leaders in the aviation (completed), car rental (completed) and coach/bus travel (pending) sectors. While history has had a strong influence on modal choice for tourism purposes in South Africa, current pre-COVID challenges in the transport sector such as consumer behavior, transport policies and regulations, infrastructure and resource limitations are affecting international, regional and domestic tourism.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Sector Demand and Supply in South Africa
Published Date : 01 April 2021 - 1.13 MB

In common with the rest of the world, the tourism sector of South Africa experienced the radical impacts of COVID-19. The magnitude of the pandemic will reshape existing patterns of tourism demand and supply which need to be understood and researched for designing appropriate policy interventions. Little knowledge exists to understand how COVID-19 has affected the supply and demand of tourism products in South Africa. It is against the background of the rolling COVID-19 pandemic, its devastating impacts for tourism and of initiatives for re-igniting demand focused on domestic tourism that this research was undertaken. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the demand and supply of tourism products, with a view to propose interventions to meet the needs of tourists, particularly domestic tourists, post COVID-19 through an approach of undertaking case studies of local destinations offering a different mix of tourism products. The research involved a demand-side and supply-side analysis. The demand-side involved a desk top review of existing international literature relating to COVID-19 and consumer travel intentions. The supply-side of the research was done through the approach/lens of undertaking case studies of local destinations each of which offers a differing mix of tourism products and thus of challenges/opportunities. From the demand-side and supply-side analysis the results from this investigation point to a total of 13 policy recommendations for the Department of Tourism in addressing the impact of COVID-19 on changing tourism demand and supply.