Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ery ease. Many of the tourism businesses indicated that they would use smaller
community suppliers if these factors could be addressed. CTT has commissioned
an audit of its membership base to address this problem and compile a database
of RTM suppliers to facilitate business between members. Long-term capacity
building, mentoring and skills transfer to small, medium and macro enterprises
(SMMEs) will be essential for economic growth and social improvement.
The lack of safety and security when using small suppliers is a key deterrent
for many tourism businesses. Attacks on tourists in informal settlements, corrup-
tion and overcharging tourists are making tour operators and other tourism
service providers weary of using community suppliers. DEAT is currently devel-
oping a strategy to address the safety of visitors and put in place safety and
security measures for tourism service providers. Besides the actual problems of
crime and violence; there is also a challenge around the perceptions of high crime
rates. In many instances local community tourism service providers have a safe
and secure product offering. However, an isolated incident can tarnish the image
and reputation of the entire industry and has significant negative spin-off effects.
It is imperative that the initiatives that have been developed by government to deal
with the negative effects of crime are communicated to the tourism industry and
that success stories are widely publicized. Factors that are contributing to crime
are the high inequality and unemployment levels that currently exist in South
Africa. Past research has shown that where communities become involved and
benefit from the economic impacts of tourism, support of tourism development
increases, licence to operate is gained and crime levels decrease. Increasing the
involvement in tourism development, participation and sharing benefits is there-
fore an important aspect in addressing the safety and security challenges.
The level of competition in tourism is high. One way of addressing interna-
tional competition is to create a uniquely South African experience.There is often
a misconceived perception that overseas travellers demand the same products and
services as they receive at home. Whilst there is no doubt that quality standards
have to be high, research clearly indicates that tourists are looking for new,
authentic and different cultural experiences. Employing RTM practices makes
use of local heritage and community knowledge. By engaging with different
people and cultures a richer and more competitive product-offering is developed.
Clearly, the question of superior customer service and quality cannot be ignored
and it is imperative that local community service providers are trained and skilled.
Education in the tourism industry, as is the case in most of South African business
sectors, needs to be placed continuously at the centre of development.
The perception by tourism businesses of a lack of government support has to
be changed. It is imperative that the private sector believes in the competence and
will of the public sector to bring about change. True transformation and the
achievement of the goals set out by the BEE Tourism Charter and Scorecard
(DEAT, 2005), as well as the much wider objectives of poverty alleviation, job
creation and environmentally sustainable management, will be achieved only
through public-private engagement. Government support needs to be carefully
communicated and the effects monitored. By clearly showing tourism businesses
Search WWH ::
Custom Search