Dark tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism industries around the world, inextricably linked to museums with dark pasts. These museums are attractions and destinations associated with death, tragedy or suffering, and highlight some of the darkest human histories. For decades, much research on dark tourism in South Africa has focused on Robben Island as a prison that is most notorious with detailed literature. However, a lesser-known unique museum serves as a dark tourist destination in South Africa’s capital city. The Kgoši Mampuru II Museum (referred to as the Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area), formerly the Pretoria Central Prison, is a museum with a dark heritage that interprets the tragedy that took place during the apartheid regime. This paper gives a brief historical background of the Kgoši Mampuru II Prison and includes the major political execution that took place from 1961 to 1989 during apartheid. The paper examines the operation of the South African Department of Correctional Services and how it managed to convert this Pretoria-based prison into a museum, on the premise that it remains a current correctional centre for prisoners. It remains unclear how the transition from prison as a site of capital punishment developed into a museum. This paper explores these challenges and discussions from a dark tourism and museum experience perspective. Conclusions suggest that this research has the potential to occupy a critical niche, since prison museums, as a form of dark tourism, are largely unknown and can fill a major gap in South African museology. Show less

Dark tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism industries around the world, inextricably linked to museums with dark pasts. These museums are attractions and destinations associated with death, tragedy or suffering, and highlight some of the darkest human histories. For decades, much research on dark tourism in South Show more

This paper is a research review of crime prevention in South Africa using a qualitative research approach. Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. South Africa is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine routes, natural experiences, cultural villages, spectacular coastlines among other must-see experiences that appeal to international tourists travelling to the continent. However, South Africa holds the reputation of one of the highest crime rates in the world and is therefore regarded as a high-risk destination. This negative reputation directly influences tourism demand and supply and indirectly impacts on both jobs and gross income in the industry. It is said that the three primary conditions for the successful development of tourism in a set location are “peace, safety and security”. Therefore, without them, tourists are likely to be victimized, negatively affecting the image of the country and income derived from tourism. It is the prime responsibility of the tourism sector to safeguard tourists and tourism development in their respective regions. The article focuses on measures to remedy crime against tourists in South Africa. It considers the country's mitigation strategies from 1997-2019 (in the public sector) to combat crime, sets out guidelines for promoting safety and security and highlights implementation challenges. Show less

This paper is a research review of crime prevention in South Africa using a qualitative research approach. Africa is a tourist destination that offers international tourists unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences. South Africa is one of Africa’s top destinations and features Big Five safari destinations, wine Show more

Urban tourism has become an important sector within the global tourism industry as it is able to serve a range of tourists, satisfy their needs, and exceed their expectations. The urban environment usually is seen as “standing alone” with regards to the operational aspects of tourism, however, it has become increasingly recognised as an integral part of the tourist experience. With this in mind, the City of Cape Town has become an increasingly popular urban tourism destination on the African continent. The City of Cape Town’s unique geographical location and history has had a significant influence on its tourism industry and contributed to the development of various tourism sectors, each with their own attractions and experiences in and around the city. As a result, urban tourism in all its facets increased the City of Cape Town’s share of the global tourism industry and made it a more attractive domestic and international urban tourist destination largely in part to the public-private partnership between the City of Cape Town (municipality) and Cape Town Tourism (official marketing organisation for Cape Town). Cape Town Tourism has also been invited to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to serve on the Destination and Business Council and present this public-private tourism model at its annual general meeting. Consequently, the immense diversity of Cape Town’s tourism sectors and its tourism model has contributed to its popularity as an urban tourism destination with an exemplary urban tourism product that could be adapted and transferred to other African cities. Show less

Urban tourism has become an important sector within the global tourism industry as it is able to serve a range of tourists, satisfy their needs, and exceed their expectations. The urban environment usually is seen as “standing alone” with regards to the operational aspects of tourism, however, it has become increasingly Show more

This study attempts to examine the relationship between archives, tourism and museums by positioning museums as a conduit between them. It takes a closer look at this triangular relationship by first considering the history and relationship between archives and museums. Secondly, it considers the relationship between museums and tourism and the recent trends that connect museums with tourism. Thirdly, it looks at how the development of archives is linked to museums and tourism to form this triangular relationship. It is argued that archives and tourism are set to become greater partners through museums. Museums and tourism are already connected through the history of their development, and therefore increased collaborative efforts between museums and archives in the fourth Industrial Revolution will lead to archives becoming more connected to the tourism sphere that museums are located in. The study uses Mapungubwe as an example of how the archive, museum and tourism sector share a triangular relationship. Show less

This study attempts to examine the relationship between archives, tourism and museums by positioning museums as a conduit between them. It takes a closer look at this triangular relationship by first considering the history and relationship between archives and museums. Secondly, it considers the relationship between museums Show more

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which invariably affect the functionality, sustainability, and competitiveness of a destination. The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the tourists' perceptions of crises and risks affecting the tourism sector in Durban. The paper used a mixed-method through the use of surveys and direct interviews with a sample of local, regional, and international tourists and key informants in the tourism sector within Durban. The results show that the level of risks in the city is perceived to be high and was found to have a significant impact on destination decision- choices. First-time visitors might be discouraged by mediatised risks. However, repeat visitors were likely to visit Durban since they were more conversant with the local conditions. Domestic tourists were likely to visit the destination since they have various mechanisms at their disposal to deal with perceived risks than first-time visitors. Furthermore, the results indicated that tourists are resilient to negative media coverage of risks. The study concludes that several factors influence the image of a destination, so tourist visitation cannot be affected by crises and risks alone. The study recommends a multi-pronged strategy to mitigate the impact of crises and risks on the destinations. Show less

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which Show more

This study considers tourists' perspectives on the Critical Success Factors for guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Guided tours and tourism destinations are inseparable, with such guided tours often being sought after for their power to improve tourist satisfaction and envisioned to enhance visitors' experience and impact tourism growth at destinations. The success of such guided tours is often premised on several factors, which when present, would influence visitors' propensity to recommend, revisit and make future destination choices. Such factors play a critical role in determining whether visitors would consider guided or self-led excursions. Understanding the Critical Success Factors for guided tours is essential as it makes it easier for tourism suppliers to channel efforts toward tourist satisfaction. Using a structured questionnaire, 451 tourists participating in guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa were surveyed to ascertain the Critical Success Factors for guided tours. The study revealed that safety, knowledgeable guides, and pricing remain critical in the success of guided tours. The study highlights the critical factors considered essential for the success of guided excursions and the areas that require improvement. Following an analysis of the study’s findings, recommendations for effective guided tours for the tourism industry were proposed. Show less

This study considers tourists' perspectives on the Critical Success Factors for guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Guided tours and tourism destinations are inseparable, with such guided tours often being sought after for their power to improve tourist satisfaction and envisioned to enhance visitors' Show more

Hospitality can be described as the friendly reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers and usually includes food and accommodation. Because of the line of business, it requires employees with various levels of expertise, however, there are challenges in retaining these employees. The challenge of employee retention in the hotel subsector has been reported by multiple studies around the world, which have consistently reported high employee turnover in hotels. Most of these studies report on data obtained in Europe and North America and the literature lacks African data, with limited studies from South Africa. Much of the literature on staff turnover and retention focuses on hotels and not the high turnover observed in restaurants. This identified the need to focus on this gap as the researcher observed staff turnover within the restaurants. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate staff turnover in the restaurant sector, specifically within the kitchen department. The specific aim of the study was to assess staff turnover within these restaurant kitchens, to determine the status, causes and impact thereof. This study used a quantitative research approach with a positivist paradigm. Two questionnaires were used for data collection, one for managers and one for employees. The sample frame was developed using the TripAdvisor website, which indicated that there were 401 restaurants in the Cape Town Central Business District at the time that the study was conducted, of which 150 participated in this study. A sampling calculator was used to calculate the number of restaurants to participate in the study. Systematic sampling was used to select the restaurants from the developed sample frame and convenience sampling was used to select the respondents (Managers and Employees) who participated in the study. Fifty managers and 100 employees completed the questionnaires. Data gathered were captured and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 26. Data were presented in the form of tables and graphs with frequencies and percentages, using descriptive statistics. Apart from the three main objectives of the study, demographic information was collected from both participants to understand the differences between managers/executive chefs and employees (chefs). It was found that in both participants males dominated (60% and 54%) respectively, while there was a difference in age as for managers the age group which dominated was the 30-39 while employees were younger (20-29). The qualifications of managers differed significantly from the employees, the majority of the managers had a post-Matric qualification compared to the employees, which means the leaders are more educated than the employees in this study. Data collected from managers gathered information about the status of staff turnover and the reasons thereof. The main highlights of the findings showed that most (62%) of the respondents (Managers) experienced high staff turnover. Managers further attributed high staff turnover to staff who could not handle the pressure of the restaurant industry (24%), those who left for better opportunities (12%), and a culture of constantly changing companies among young people (4%), not necessarily due to being dissatisfied with their current one. Employee data were collected to understand the cause and impact of staff turnover. The employees highlighted factors that cause constant staff turnover as long working hours (82%), being underpaid (86%), workers’ efforts not being recognised (56%) and poor leadership roles (56%). The impact of staff turnover was reported by the employees of which the majority (86%) stated that the workload increased, 84% stated that the service was immensely impacted and the physical health (76%) of the employees was affected. Whilst some of the restaurants experienced low (38%) staff turnover, it is evident that most (62%) experience high staff turnover. The study has revealed that high staff turnover is prevalent within these restaurants. Furthermore, the causes of high staff turnover were also observed with the impact thereof. Based on these findings the researcher has suggested the following recommendations which are, complying with labour laws specifically working hours, recognition of hard-working employees and thus giving incentives to those deserving individuals. These will benefit both managers/owners and employees working within the restaurant industry and more especially the kitchen department as they assist in reducing staff turnover. Show less

Hospitality can be described as the friendly reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers and usually includes food and accommodation. Because of the line of business, it requires employees with various levels of expertise, however, there are challenges in retaining these employees. The challenge of employee Show more

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which invariably affect the functionality, sustainability, and competitiveness of a destination. The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the tourists' perceptions of crises and risks affecting the tourism sector in Durban. The paper used a mixed-method through the use of surveys and direct interviews with a sample of local, regional, and international tourists and key informants in the tourism sector within Durban. The results show that the level of risks in the city is perceived to be high and was found to have a significant impact on destination decision- choices. First-time visitors might be discouraged by mediatised risks. However, repeat visitors were likely to visit Durban since they were more conversant with the local conditions. Domestic tourists were likely to visit the destination since they have various mechanisms at their disposal to deal with perceived risks than first-time visitors. Furthermore, the results indicated that tourists are resilient to negative media coverage of risks. The study concludes that several factors influence the image of a destination, so tourist visitation cannot be affected by crises and risks alone. The study recommends a multi-pronged strategy to mitigate the impact of crises and risks on the destinations. Show less

Tourism is an important economic sector in many countries worldwide. Many governments are placing a higher priority on tourism development because it leads to increased foreign exchange income and creates employment opportunities. However, the tourism sector is prone to both natural and human-made crises and risks, which Show more

The COVID-19 pandemic is catalysing changes in consumer demands as well as necessitating a paradigm shift for research on tourist behaviour and decision making. Demand is intensifying for safe spaces where social distancing is possible. The large group movement of people, and therefore the phenomenon of ‘mass tourism’, has been severely compromised as it imposes great health risks with travellers vulnerable to health hazards and points to opportunities in alternative niche forms of tourism. As a result of risk perceptions surrounding COVID-19, the tourism sector is projected to see an expansion in various forms of special interest or ‘niche travel’ which is driven primarily by the confidence of travelling in smaller groups and a less risk-prone environment Arguably in the ‘new normal’ of a post-COVID-19 world consumers re-orient away from mass tourism experiences and instead search out what are termed as ‘niche tourism’ products and experiences. South Africa's diverse landscapes, rich natural and cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge can lay a breeding ground for the promotion of alternative tourism within the country. Indeed, niche tourism can play an ever more vital role in South Africa and is an opportunity to investigate tourism offerings in which smaller-scale, controlled and operated niche products can be established to satisfy the changing demands and needs of consumers. The pandemic further underlines the importance of developing interventions that are targeted to the requirements of specific niches. Research is therefore necessary to inform interventions that should consider the changing supply-demand situations of particular niches during and post COVID-19. Within the competitive world of tourism similarity is the enemy and niche products are a way to escape sameness. This points to the necessity for investigating supply and demand issues around different forms of niche tourism. The aim of the study is to examine how niche tourism may be leveraged as part of the tourism sector's recovery plan to rejuvenate supply and ignite demand post COVID-19. One specific niche, namely rural tourism is investigated in detail. The following broad objectives guide the study: • To examine international research regarding niche tourism demand and supply. • To examine international research regarding niche tourism demand and supply for one selected form of niche tourism, namely rural tourism. • To examine the state of niche tourism demand and supply in South Africa with respect to one selected form of niche tourism, namely rural tourism. • Analyse challenges presented by COVID-19 on tourism demand and supply with respect to one selected form of niche tourism, namely rural tourism. • To analyse opportunities for leveraging niche tourism demand and supply as part of the tourism sector's recovery plan post-COVID-19 with the case of rural tourism • To contribute towards development of a framework for strategic interventions to leverage niche tourism in South Africa using the case of rural tourism. Show less

The COVID-19 pandemic is catalysing changes in consumer demands as well as necessitating a paradigm shift for research on tourist behaviour and decision making. Demand is intensifying for safe spaces where social distancing is possible. The large group movement of people, and therefore the phenomenon of ‘mass tourism’, has Show more

The report provides the context of the study, stipulating the aim, objectives and research questions. In relation to the rationale and purpose of the research, the importance of domestic tourism globally and in South Africa specifically is highlighted. Furthermore, domestic tourism’s role in the tourism sector’s recovery post the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is underscored. The theoretical/ conceptual framework that informs the research is the sustainable tourism development approach, embedded in an ecosystem-based operational model, that permits an examination of complex systems and phenomena (such as tourism) that have multi-dimensional aspects and impacts influenced by environmental, political, economic, and social factors. The importance of focusing on examining internal and external aspects, tourist and destination domains as well as demand and supply-side factors also frame the research. Issues pertaining to tourism demand, carrying capacity, sustainability and resiliency also emerge as being key to consider. In terms of the research methodology, a mixed methods approach was planned using both quantitative (tourism service provider and general public surveys) and qualitative key informant interviews (undertaken by the University of Pretoria - UP). At the time of submitting this report, the key informant interviews were not completed for inclusion in this study because of challenges UP faced. Online and face-to-face interviews were conducted. In total, 406 tourism service providers and 1 034 general public survey results are used for the primary data analysis. The literature review focused on key thematic areas: domestic tourism and the COVID-19 pandemic context and trends, domestic tourism responses to the pandemic, challenges for reigniting domestic tourism, innovative responses that are emerging and recommendations that are evident. Show less

The report provides the context of the study, stipulating the aim, objectives and research questions. In relation to the rationale and purpose of the research, the importance of domestic tourism globally and in South Africa specifically is highlighted. Furthermore, domestic tourism’s role in the tourism sector’s recovery Show more