TOURISM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Tourism in South Africa



Tourism in South Africa

Introduction

Recreational activities and tourism are gaining greater attention of people around the globe. These activities have also turned into one of the key socio-economic activities of the world, with respect to providing employment, making notable contributions to GDP of countries, and creating an increase in demand. All of these socio-economic activities lead to increase in number of jobs while generating considerable amount of revenue. Moreover, they also helps in promoting awareness about different cultures, which eventually leads to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and resulting benefits of the investments made in the social and economic infrastructure. Nevertheless, not everything associated with tourism is positive, this is primarily because a few forms of recreational activities and tourism cause destruction of habitat, landscape deterioration and a rivalry for getting resources and services which do not occur in abundance, for instance; land, freshwater, wastewater treatment, energy, and so forth (Goeldner, and Ritchie, 2006, pp. 172-174).

Not only this, the local populace of the regions which attracts tourists may face a few complexities such as losses in traditional values and additional dependency tourism generated revenues, as a consequence of tourist activities. The increase in prices makes this activity as the prime reason contributing in the loss of ownership houses, lands, services and shops. Nowadays, the harmful effects of tourism are common around the globe (General Books, 2011, pp 1-5).

Amongst these harmful effects, the deterioration of the ecological components leading to degradation of natural processes is of considerable concern. Activities associated with developing and operating tourism are considered to be the prime cause of these negative effects on ecosystems. Amongst these harmful effects which tourism is causing to the ecosystems increased consumption of water and energy, soil, the landscapes destructions, construction of new buildings and infrastructure, changes in ecosystems, increase in the production of wastewater and water are worth-mentioning. In addition to this, stirring up needless flow of population in areas where tourists visit in abundance and introducing exotic and special species of plants and animals also makes up the centre of the negative effects of tourism. (Moisey et al 2009, 11-19).

Discussion

Types of Tourism Products

Mass tourism: People, despite the economic status they have are engaged in this form of tourism, which makes it a distinctive tourism form. Mass tourism is traditional, seasonal and passive, holding fewer demands and is highly specialized.

Individual Tourism: Individual tourism is one in which the tourists decides the journey on its own without involving any tourist operators.

Types of Tourist Products

Cultural Tourism

This form of tourism is the centre of attention of most of the tourists, as it entails visits to places which are rich in cultural heritage. Cultural tourism is not seasonal, and tourists travel to such places anytime during the year (Dickinson & Lumsdon 2010, 75). Cultural Tourism is further divided into various forms, a few of which are as follows,

Urban: in this people visits those which are developed as sited of World ...