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- ItemThe push and pull factors influencing tourists to visit protected areas: a case of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park(University of Zululand, 2023) Mzimela, Nomfundo Sinethemba; Ntshangase, S.DProtected areas, such as national parks, are important for the conservation of wildlife and habitats, but they also offer recreational opportunities for tourists. Therefore, a better understanding of what motivates tourists to visit these areas can help park managers and tourism operators cater for their (tourists) needs and preferences, thus improving visitor satisfaction. The aim of this research conducted within the South African context was to model the key push and pull factors influencing tourists to visit protected areas, using Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa as a case. This research, therefore, based on its scope and objectives, filled a knowledge gap by formulating a statistically validated conceptual model of factors (the key push and pull factors) influencing tourists to visit protected areas. This study used data collected from a sample of 435 tourists surveyed in key tourist sites within HiP to address the research objectives. Data analysis was conducted in two stages. The first stage of the analysis dealt with data integrity and descriptive statistics, using IBM SPSS software version 28, while the second stage tested the measurement (that is, construct validity and reliability of the instrument) and structural model using composite-based structural equation modelling involving a multivariate analytical technique implemented on WarpPLS software version 7.0. The study discovered causal relationships between visitation satisfaction, push sub-factors (relaxation, social interaction, family togetherness, and prestige motivations), and pull sub-factors (resources, learning experience, recreational facilities, natural resources, history, and culture). Furthermore, the study assessed the key push and pull factors influencing tourists to visit HiP. The key tourists’ push factors identified in this study are relaxation and family togetherness while the key tourists’ pull factors identified are natural resources, destination resources, learning experience, history and culture. The results further suggest that demographic variables (such as gender, age, nationality, residency, employment status, and visitation satisfaction), have differentiated effects on push and pull sub-dimensions and overall push and pull travel motivation factors. Based on the findings of this study recommendations were made to the HiP management/parks’ decision makers based on the marketing concept of identifying customer needs and satisfying them to improve services at protected areas. The recommendations were organised into themes or categories (such as the necessity for local community involvement in park management, marketing and promotion of park visits, enhancing visitor expectations, education programmes and regional context). The findings of this research contribute to the literature on tourism in protected areas and provide insights that can inform policy and management decisions in the context of sustainable nature-based tourism development.
- ItemThe level of community involvement and participation in tourism developments in Dokodweni Area, KwaZulu Natal(2023) Mhlongo,Thandeka Nonkululeko; Nkwanyana, M.S. and Tshabalala, S. P.The South African government has identified rural tourism as a resolution to poverty, thus giving more attention to rural tourism. Intentions for this study were to find the level of tourism awareness in these rural areas. The study positively impacted on the local communities to find more information on tourism and to enhance their involvement and participation within the tourism developments of the study area. The study was conducted in a rural community of Dokodweni. Dokodweni area is located in the north coast of KwaZulu Natal under the Mandeni Local Municipality located within the iLembe District Municipality. Literature reviewed highlighted that there are plenty of rural communities like Dokodweni that possesses significant tourism resources however have not been identified as tourist attractions. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the level of awareness amongst local community members on tourism knowledge, as well as their perceptions of tourism development in the area. This process helped to identify the gaps in the community’s understanding of tourism and lack of involvement and participation was identified as challenge. The participatory approach theory was used to generate questions and method of conducting research which was the mixed method. The key findings of the study where structured interviews were conducted to community authorities , izinduna and councillors was that programs and policies were to be developed to guide the community for better understanding of the tourism industry and the potential it has to be involved in tourism projects. Through the survey conducted from community members using questionnaires, it was evident that they did not fully participate in tourism developments. However, the community was aware of tourism developments that should occur. The community indicated that they are not informed of decision makings in the area of Dokodweni. The community indicated that they were not involved in tourism activities and not benefit from the local attractions because of lack of communication from local authorities. The researcher therefore has recommended that the municipality officials and traditional authorities should introduce tourism campaigns of development to the community and should visit schools to promote tourism to learners. Furthermore, for communication, izimbizo, i.e. community gatherings or meetings ought to be called to expose communities to tourism products. The municipality officials have to conduct training programmes or workshops on specific skills required for tourism development. The trainings were to assist towards providing knowledge and understanding of the tourism industry.
- ItemEntrepreneurial education and intention within the tourism industry: Youths in King Cetshwayo District Municipality(2023) Mhlongo, Zinhle; Ezeuduji, Ikechukwu O. and Ntshangase, Sibusiso D.Entrepreneurship education plays a crucial role in terms of enhancing entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and values for transforming societies. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of entrepreneurial education (ED) on entrepreneurial intention (EI) among youths in tourism-related and non-tourism related industries. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 400 purposively selected youths within the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM), KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The study employed two stages of data analysis. The first stage performed descriptive analysis and missing data analysis using IBM’s SPSS version 28. The second stage focused on construct validity and reliability testing, as well as the structural model (partial least squares - structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM)), which was tested using a multivariate analytical technique on SmartPLS software version 4.0.8.5. The study found that entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial passion (EP) both had a positive association with entrepreneurial intention; however, entrepreneurial meanings (EM) did not have a relationship with entrepreneurial intention for both tourism-related and non-tourism related industries. The results validate that a basic entrepreneurial education, focusing on the meanings of entrepreneurship, is not enough to influence EI among youths in KCDM. The results further reveal that gender, education level and family business experience among youths in KCDM did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference to EM, ED, EP and EI; however, certain entrepreneurial profiles (such as age group, starting own business in the future) and entrepreneurial attributes portrayed a positive correlation with EM, ED, EP and EI. The results suggest that there is an association between a variety of factors (such as entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial passion) and youths’ intention to start a business. The recommendations are offered to the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) decision-makers (business support offices), the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), as well as Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) to encourage youth entrepreneurship. It is advised that, in the future, researchers conduct this study in other district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, and/or other provinces within South Africa, to develop a national model.
- ItemAssessing the performance in high schools offering tourism in Nkomazi sub-district in Mpumalanga province(University of Zululand, 2022) Banda, Phasile TillyIn general, Tourism as a subject is regarded as an easy subject or a subject which is easy to be passed even if one does not have its background knowledge. A number of schools take the subject for granted in such a way that learners are encouraged to enrol for the subject at , without having any knowledge of the subject while in Grade 10 and 11. Some schools have failed to consider the special requirements as stipulated in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) before offering the subject. It has therefore become a common practice for a number of schools in the province that Tourism (as a school subject) is introduced without following the right procedure. The province has four districts: Bohlabela, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, and Nkangala. The study was conducted at Ehlanzeni district with the main focus on Nkomazi sub-district. The main aim of the study was to find out what could be the possible cause of underperformance of learners in high school doing Tourism at Grade 12 in Nkomazi sub-district in the Mpumalanga Province. The key findings in this mixed methods research are as follows: Apart from shortage and lack of recommended infrastructure (facilities), it was also found that Tourism classrooms not shared with other subjects were not available in 90% of the schools. Scarcity of resources, absence of the internet connection, LTSM, including textbooks, maps and globes in schools were also found as impacting negatively on academic performance. Teachers did not use a variety of teaching and learning styles, and strategies when teaching. Assessment and assessment strategies including medium of instruction were found to be leading to misunderstanding of questions. It was discovered also that lesson preparation is key, as it enabled the teacher to cover the content of the curriculum. Regarding teacher qualification, 60% of the participants were of the opinion that teachers need to be qualified. The study recommends that the Department of Education should not allow schools to offer Tourism as a school subject if the necessary infrastructure and resources are not available.There should be the internet facilities, and supply of LTSM. There should also be monitoring programmes to ensure that different teaching and learning styles are used. It is recommended that a political globe not shared with Geography should be put in place. Tourism teachers should have a qualification, and skills development programmes should include courses that will develop teachers, and give them certification. Funds may be allocated to teachers who want to have qualification in Tourism.
- ItemAn investigation into the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy across generations of Basotho women: the case of Basotho women in Mafeteng, Lesotho(2022) Notsi, LibopuoaThis study examines the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy (linyonyobetsane/earth eating/soil eating) across different generations of the Basotho women using the case study of women in Mafeteng area in Lesotho. Thus, I deploy the theoretical framework of indigenous knowledge systems and an exploratory case study design to make sense of the meaning(s) of geophagy from the standpoint and experience of the Basotho women who participate in this practice on daily basis. The specific indigenous knowledge system utilised to make sense of the practice of geophagy from a cultural and commercial point of view is the theory eZiko siPheka siSophula (an African indigenous theory), which is widespread among the Nguni people found in southern Africa. The findings of the study indicate that geophagy is not only common among the Basotho women of different age groups but also connote different cultural and commercial values beyond the physical act of eating soil among those who practice it. Therefore, amid the cultural and economic significance of geophagy for the Basotho women; aspects and meanings like soothing taste, quelling of nauseaous feelings, and pleasant flavour indicate that, indeed, geophagy is not a meaningless act of consuming soil by women of different generations but embodies specific meanings that can only be understood from an insider’s perspective. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the intergenerational, cultural and commercial significance of geophagy among Basotho women in Mafeteng. Geophagy is an observed old practice that has been transferred from one generation to another even though it still raises questions in the contemporary world. Therefore, it has never received a universal appropriate name. To demonstrate the cultural and commercial benefits of earth eating and to examine relationships between scientific and indigenous knowledge of earth eating, the study employed a qualitative technique that made use of focus group discussion (lekhotla or indigenous talking circle) as a way of collecting data throughout all the regions with the help of a focus group guide to unravel deeper conversations. The study concluded that building collaboration, and a partnership among different relevant stakeholders, to promote geophagy is fundamental. The study is envisaged to inspire policymakers and community development that instil sustainable healthy geophagy and stimulate entrepreneurial strategies for rural women.