Picture: The Director of the Research Unit: Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU), Prof Elmarie Slabbert/Supplied
By BERTIE JACOBS
The Covid-19 pandemic has left an indelible scar on the face of South Africa’s tourism sector, and although cosmetic touch-ups have restored some of its previous splendour, some extensive surgery is still required to get it back to rude health.
According to the Director of the Research Unit: Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU), Prof Elmarie Slabbert, the importance of the tourism sector should not be underestimated. Slabbert said this is evident from the Covid-19 pandemic when the contribution of the sector to the country’s GDP dropped from 8,7% in 2018 to 3,7% in 2020.
“This effect was compounded by the loss of 1.5 million jobs in the sector at the height of the pandemic. Although a significant recovery has been made, more can still be done. One of the biggest obstacles facing South Africa as a tourist destination is its location.
“From an international point of view, South Africa is a long-haul destination, which has a cost implication for international guests. These tourists are also concerned with their safety and the unpredictability of actions such as looting and political unrest,” she said.
Slabbert further said, from a domestic point of view, less than 50% of South Africans travel –mainly due to economic circumstances. She added that, with this in mind, the tourism sector needs to review its products in terms of accessibility and affordability if we want to grow the domestic market.
“One of the biggest challenges for the tourism sector is its dependence on other departments to function well so that the sector can operate smoothly, for example, Home Affairs dealing with passports and visas.
“If this department delays processes relating to visas and passports, it discourages people from travelling and enjoying the tourism experiences. I also believe that it is critical for the tourism sector to employ more people who are trained for this sector, as they understand the importance of looking after a tourist in every way possible,” said Slabbert.
She said South Africa’s deteriorating infrastructure, coupled with a high crime rate, is also proving to be counterproductive to the good promotional work being done.
“The promotion of tourism in South Africa is done well, but external factors such as crime, safety, visas, poor roads, access, etc. are hampering growth. South Africa is on the bucket list of many international tourists, but after Covid-19 they are concerned about these factors and will rather choose a destination, where they are less concerned about the effect of unpredictable external factors.
“However, South Africa has a jewel, namely our natural scenery and attractions, which should be promoted as the major drawcard of this country,” said Slabbert.
She is also of the opinion that, research such as that being done by TREES can aid policymakers in uplifting the tourism sector.
“The research done by TREES can inform and guide policy development to build a more sustainable tourism sector. Research should not remain in academic articles and libraries – it should be available to the sector to implement.
“Currently, the tourism resilience model that we developed for South Africa as a destination through a project for the national Department of Tourism is promoted through workshops in different provinces for implementation. This is an excellent example of how research can inform policy, empower different stakeholders and determine action to move the sector forward,” said Slabbert.
She said policymakers should rely on scientific research when crafting policies, and a research unit such as TREES that understands the sector is an ideal partner in that regard. Slabbert also believes that the best way to change perceptions about South Africa is to first pay heed to domestic issues, as these pay the most long-term dividends.
The Guardian 