A special note of thanks must go to my supervisor, Professor Peter Robinson, who encouraged and guided me throughout this period. To all the people I interviewed during the course of my research and gave their time to be interviewed; without them my research would not be possible.
Research Problem ·.·.·.· 1
Durban has been and is a popular tourist destination for both international and domestic tourists, with the main attraction being the coastline, which draws tourists to both the north and south of the city. Location, facilities and weather combine to attract a large number of tourists. The Thousand Hills Tourism Association manages tourism and tourism activities within the boundaries of OWOE, so the area of jurisdiction is wide. The "1000 Hills Experience" is managed by the Thousand Hills Tourism Association and thus includes tourism within the OWOE.
Research Question and Hypothesis
Key Concepts
- Tourism
- Tourism Strategies
- Local Economic Development
- Development
For the purpose of this study, a meaning will be adopted that implies an improvement in the quality of life for the host community. The development will correlate with the impacts of tourism; for example, economic development as a result of tourism will include increased employment opportunities for the host community; social development will include community empowerment and physical development will include improved maintenance of existing infrastructure. for example the roads.
Research Methodology
Host Community
The identified community is the host community; those who live in the area and are exposed to tourism on a daily and regular basis. Western Suburbs- This community is the host community living in Kloof, Hillcrest, Botha's Hill, Gillitts, Shongweni and Assagay ie. the residents who live along the old main road.
Operators of Tourism-Related Businesses
Authority Bodies
The area experienced a decline in the tourism sector between the 1970s and 1980s due to the construction of the national highway (N3). Tourism therefore contributes to employment in the area for the benefit of the local community and the local economy. The development of tourism in the area is seen as the diversification of the local economy.
Structure of Document
Local Economic Development
- Definition
- Emergence
- Approaches
- Benefits and Costs
According to Nel (1994), the locality is developed rather than the larger region, thus emphasizing the development of the local area. Approaches vary depending on the resources in the locality and the strengths and weaknesses of the area.
Tourism
- Definition
- Tourism in South Africa
- Government Involvement
- Impacts
- Economic Impacts
- Multiplier Effect
- Linkages
- Leakages
- Inflation
- Foreign Exchange and Revenue
- Inter-Sectoral Compet ition
- Social and Cultural Impacts
- Demonstration Effects
- Tradition and Culture
- Crime and Illegal Activities
- Social Structure
- Physical Environment
The benefits of tourism's multiplier effect are a general benefit to both the local community and the local economy (Mathfield, 2000). The effects on the natural environment develop over the long term due to the nature of the natural environment (Hall and Page, 1999).
Local Economic Development and Tourism
Community Part icipation ·
Due to the high costs and time associated with community participation, it is often ignored in the development of tourism, especially by the private sector, as it eats into their profits (de Kadt, 1979). Local communities can be involved in the development of tourism as well as in the actual implementation of tourism projects, which will ensure that they result in direct benefits, such as in community-based tourism projects.
Institutional Support
It is often the responsibility of the public sector to ensure that the private sector participates in community participation and partnerships (Grant Thornton Kessel Feinstein, 1998 and de Kadt, 1979). Partnerships are also important tools to ensure that tourism development is sustainable, as they provide support to all stakeholders and minimize responsibility and administration for the public sector, as each partner is involved in different aspects, but together the development will of tourism (Pearce, 1989).
Environmental Protection ·
Partnerships with the community are important for the development of community-based organizations because of the lack of capacity on the part of the community and the need to support these organizations to ensure their development (Sproute and Suhandi in Lindberg, Wood and Engeldrum, 1998) .
Conclusion ·
The nature of the industries in the area pose a threat to the natural environment and therefore the potential for increased tourism in the area. The area is already expensive to service due to the low density in the area. To what extent does this organization/authority support the development of tourism in the area?
Legislative Framework ·
National Policy
- Reconstruction and Development Programme
Provincial Policy
- Provincial Growth and Development Strategy
Introduction
The development and build-up to the tourism strategy within the case study area will also be discussed as well as the current tourism development within the area.
Location
The development and construction of the tourism strategy within the case study area will also be discussed, as well as the current tourism development within the area. courtesy of the Urban Strategy Department - eThekwini Municipality). The area is thus easily accessible from a variety of points and roads all facilitating tourism from the passing trade.
Historical Background
The area can be reached from the N3 and the M13, which travels through Pinetown and then joins the N3. As a result, interest in the area waned and was further waned by the national highway (N3) in the 1980s (Shevlin, 2001).
Land Use and Economic Profile
Although they were little involved in the development of the strategy, they now support the development and expansion of tourism in the area (O'Brien, 2001). The tourism sector in the area does have an impact on the informal sector to a certain extent.
Demographic and Soc ial Profile
Development of '1000 Hills Experience'
Tourism in Case Study Area
Present Tourism Facilities
Major businesses in the area include accommodation, hospitality, arts and crafts, environmental and cultural facilities. Table 1 shows the breakdown of tourist facilities in the area and the number of facilities within each group.
Current Trends
The farmers take advantage of the area's tourism potential by opening their farms to tourists in various ways. It can therefore be seen that since the start of the "1000 Hills Experience" there has been an increase in the number of companies catering to the tourism sector, as both companies and authorities have realized the potential that tourism has to stimulate the local economy and socio-economic growth.
Proposed Tourism Developments
A major problem that hinders the development of tourism in the Valley of a Thousand Hills is the issue of accessibility, as many areas with great potential for tourism, due to natural resources and location, but also places of cultural and historical significance, be inaccessible. Communities should therefore be assisted by the government, for example to learn how to develop tourism activities.
Introduction
Economic Impacts
Economic Costs - Inflation
Although tourism in the area has brought increased employment opportunities and increased income generation, tourism incurs economic costs that are borne by the community. Inflation in the area is not in the form of price increases for goods and services.
Social and Cultural Impacts
The community will be involved in the construction of reserve and buildings, maintenance of the reserve and management of the reserve and related activities. There has been little community participation with host communities in the area regarding the formation of the "1000 Hills Experience" strategy.
Physical and Environmental Impacts
Natural Environment
This is because the topography of the area is particularly steep and development is limited to ridges and along road networks. Although the impacts on the natural environment are currently limited, without the necessary regulations and monitoring of the environment and development, the environment could be more severely affected.
Physical Environment
As the tourism sector grows and expands in the area more development will follow, resulting in increased strip development and urban sprawl. This is also influenced by the steep topography and road network in the area which dictates to an extent where development can take place.
Conclusion
This will not impact on tourism but will impact on the services and infrastructure for the area and will make the area more expensive to service due to its dispersed nature. There has been no major construction to facilitate tourism in the area due to the niche markets of the tourism sector in the area and tourism is not centralized in one area but rather spread along the Old Main and other road networks.
Introduction
Constraints on the growth of the tourism industry
- Perception of Crime
- Underdeveloped Infrastructure
- Attitude and Perception among Businesses
- Lack of Funding
- Limited Capacity of Local Commun ity
The signage in the Valley is poor compared to the signage in the western suburbs. The lack of understanding results in substandard services offered to tourists, which consequently hinders future visits by not contributing to the growth of the tourism sector in the area.
Strengths of Tourism in the Area
- Range of Tourism Attractions and Facilities
- Support of Local Community
- Support of Local Government
- Strong Marketing Campaign
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal also supports tourism in the area through marketing and advertising the area in their provincial promotions. Since the inception and initiation of the tourism promotion strategy in the OWOE area, there has been extensive marketing, promotion and advertising of the area.
Conclusion
This chapter attempts to bring together the theoretical argument regarding LED and tourism and the findings of the "1000 Hills Experience" of tourism in the OWOE area in an assessment of tourism as an appropriate LED strategy. In doing so, the concerns and issues surrounding tourism in the case study area and the implementation of tourism will be discussed in relation to highlighting the main issues raised in previous chapters.
Conclusion
This has not happened within the “1000 Hills Experience” as there has been limited SMME development in the area, with the exception of community-based tourism enterprises, of which only one has been established. Support from the government and institutions in all areas, as well as the support of the host community, have facilitated the development of tourism in the OWOE into the "1000 Hills Experience" strategy.
Recommendations
What types of facilities/attractions do you think should be encouraged in the area to attract them. What are the potential impacts of developing and promoting tourism in this area for the area and also for Durban.
34;1000 Hills Experience" Case Study Area
Outer West Local Council Area
Outer West Land Use
The 1990s brought renewed interest in the area with the establishment of the Wander West Publicity Association (Shevlin, 2001). Publications and brochures about tourism in the area are also marked with the logo.
Routes within "1000 Hills Experience" 55
Route markers in the "1000 Hills Experience" showing route direction and
Signage indicating business's affiliation to the "1000 Hills Experience" 53
