The Importance Of Tourism In South Africa

According to Africa Tourism Monitor 2013, South Africa is one of the top destinations in the world which has its rich diversity, culture and beautiful scenery and a lot to offer to its visitors. The country has become a favorite destination since 1994 and the 2010 Federations International Football Association (FIFA) world cup has played a big role in attracting visitors to the country, for example South Africa before 2010 FIFA World Cup, it was a well-known destination because of crime so most people were aware of the country but were afraid to travel to South Africa due perception of unsafely but after the 2010 FIFA World Cup tourists came floating to the country (FIFA, 2010). As Bierman (2003) defines a destination as a country, state, region,

Bierman (2003) further indicates that regardless of what geographic scope one assigns to the term destination is a product that must be marketed for it to remain competitive and attracts tourists. Godfrey and Clark (2002) highlight that it is important that a destination has to be able to identify its uniqueness for establishing competitive edge in marketing itself. Godfrey and Clarke (2000) further state that no two destinations are the same, one may rely on coastal tourism while the other relies on cultural tourism. Indeed South Africa is different from other countries, because of its political history, natural inhabitant, culture or heritage and so on. South Africa accounts for the highest number of foreign arrivals in the whole continent of Africa and is after Morocco second African destination according to annual arrivals (South African Government, 2013). Nkosi (2010) highlights that the tourism industry in South Africa has become one of the leading economic contributors to the country’s economy. This potential lucrative industry is seen as an answer to socio-economic problems experienced by various

For example, the Eastern Cape Province has been recognized as the most richly endowed tourism destinations in terms of depth and mix of natural and cultural tourism resources. However, the province only ranked eighth (8th) in terms of foreign arrivals in the nine provinces of South Africa (Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), 2011). There has not been a change in terms of the growth of tourism in the province since 2011, and this is advocated by the South African Annual report, 2014 that shows that the province still ranks number 8th in terms of visitor arrivals. Based on the statement provided by Acheampong (2015), the author elaborates that municipality has some responsibilities of delivering services in general, in terms of tourism; the municipality has a role to manage tourism assets that fall under its jurisdiction. According to the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC) (2009), tourism is relatively underdeveloped in the province, and is seen to have the potential to enhance the province`s developmental trajectory due to the natural and man-made attractions, it is endowed. Therefore East London is the only place in South Africa where one