Showing papers by "Christian M. Rogerson published in 2007"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the local development impacts of the Magaliesberg Maender, a route tourism initiative that traverses across two South African provinces, and argued that whilst this tourism route has extended the tourism growth potential of the locality, its wider impacts upon surrounding communities have been limited because of the weakness of local government to address issues concerning tourism planning.
Abstract: Tourism routes have emerged as a significant element for promotion of tourism, especially in small towns and rural areas. In South Africa, considerable policy attention is currently focused upon the development of new tourism routes. This article examines the local development impacts of the Magaliesberg Maender, a route tourism initiative that traverses across two South African provinces. It is argued that whilst this tourism route has extended the tourism growth potential of the locality, its wider impacts upon surrounding communities have been limited because of the weakness of local government to address issues concerning tourism planning.
103 citations
TL;DR: A profile of tourism in Africa and the continent's position in the global tourism economy is provided in this paper, where the authors argue that at a time when many African governments and international organisations are acknowledging the developmental significance of tourism, a foundation of research is being consolidated to inform the development of new policy and initiatives for tourism.
Abstract: Africa is a small but expanding region of the global tourism economy. This article has two objectives. The first is to provide a profile of tourism in Africa and indicate the continent's position in the global tourism economy. The second is to offer an overview of African tourism research and more specifically to highlight core issues in recent scholarship and debate about tourism development across the continent. The article argues that, at a time when many African governments and international organisations are acknowledging the developmental significance of tourism, a foundation of research is being consolidated to inform the development of new policy and initiatives for tourism in Africa. 1Professor of Human Geography, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Thanks are due to Wendy Job for preparing the diagrams for this article and to Caroline Kihato for encouraging the preparation of this special tourism issue of Development Southern...
91 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the evolution of LED policy from 1995 to 2006 and specifically focus upon the implications of the 2006 National Framework document, which represents the first national guidelines issued for LED in South Africa.
Abstract: Local economic development (LED) in South Africa has grown in significance since the 1994 democratic transition. This article examines the evolution of LED policy from 1995–2006 and specifically focuses upon the implications of the 2006 National Framework document. The 2006 LED Framework document is important as it represents the first national guidelines issued for LED in South Africa. The paper critically argues that a set of severe challenges faces LED in South African small towns and that LED policy needs to recognize these challenges and take on a specific focus on the needs of small towns.
71 citations
TL;DR: The topic of urban agriculture has, for a significant period of time, been recognized as a key facet of urban survival in the cities in the South While it normally forms part of multilivelihood st
Abstract: The topic of urban agriculture has, for a significant period of time, been recognized as a key facet of urban survival in the cities in the South While it normally forms part of multilivelihood st
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the findings of a national survey of suppliers of backpacker accommodation and argue that the industry confronts several challenges, inter alia lack of recognition, poor international marketing, inadequate support and understanding from provincial and local governments, difficulty in accessing finance, and a weak national industry association.
Abstract: Since the democratic transition, South Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for backpacker tourism. This article analyses the challenges facing the development of backpacker tourism in South Africa by presenting the findings of a national survey of suppliers of backpacker accommodation. It argues that the industry confronts several challenges, inter alia lack of recognition, poor international marketing, inadequate support and understanding from provincial and local governments, difficulty in accessing finance, and a weak national industry association.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the local impacts of dive tourism in a South African case study, namely Sodwana Bay in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal province.
Abstract: This article examines the local impacts of dive tourism in a South African case study, namely Sodwana Bay in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal province. Using extensive primary research interviews with key tourism stakeholders and local product owners, dive tourism at Sodwana Bay is considered an example of niche tourism in small-town South Africa. It is argued that opportunities exist for extending local pro-poor impacts if several challenges are addressed concerning improved skill levels, the institutional environment and extending local small business opportunities.
36 citations
35 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the importance of regional tourists to the expanding tourism economy of South Africa is highlighted and critical policy interventions should be undertaken at both national and local levels of government in order to maximise the developmental impacts of promoting regional tourism.
Abstract: Although regional tourism is an important phenomenon in the developing world, it has largely been overlooked by international tourism scholars. The promotion of regional tourism can make a positive contribution to tourism development. This article stresses the importance of regional tourists to the expanding tourism economy of South Africa. It highlights the changing policy environment and suggests that critical policy interventions should be undertaken at both national and local levels of government in order to maximise the developmental impacts of promoting regional tourism. 1Respectively, Professor of Human Geography and PhD Student, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Research Foundation, Pretoria Gun Award 2054064, and thank Wendy Job for preparing the diagrams for this paper.
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contribute towards strategic policy development for backpacker tourism in South Africa, which is a hot topic in the travel industry and a promising source of income for tourists.
Abstract: Several countries recognize the developmental benefits of encouraging backpacker tourism. This paper contributes towards strategic policy development for backpacker tourism in South Africa. The fin...
15 citations
12 citations