Wildlife tourism and host communities : the case of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Abstract: The overall purpose of the current study was to investigate the contributions made by wildlife tourism in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to two communities living adjacent to the Park. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the largest transfrontier conservation area in the sub- Saharan area of the African continent, with wildlife tourism having been conceptualised as a means of creating jobs, and of reducing poverty, for the communities residing adjacent to the Park. Following the adoption of a purely qualitative approach, the study used Askham (in South Africa) and Tsabong (in Botswana) as the case study areas. The research conducted included obtaining the views of the different wildlife tourism stakeholders, through interviews, as well as the views of the host communities, though focus group discussions, in which purposive sampling was utilised to select the relevant study participants. The study found that South African tourists composed the largest number of visitors to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with international tourists comprising the smallest visitor group. The host communities engaged in wildlife tourism through the amalgamation of their culture and the natural landscape. Additionally, although wildlife tourism had made positive employment contributions to the communities concerned, the scale of wildlife tourism development in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park affects the scale to which communities can gain livelihood benefits from the Park. Moreover, the study found that, while the governing policies of South Africa and Botswana accentuate the importance of community inclusion in nature resource management, the institutional structures limited community participation in the wildlife tourism and conservation taking place in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The present study broadens the current understanding of wildlife tourism in the transfrontier conservation areas, by presenting the influence of the policies and livelihood dynamics present in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and their subsequent impact on the host communities concerned.M.A. (Tourism & Hospitality

Community perceptions on the socio-economic impacts of wildlife tourism from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana : the case of Tsabong

Abstract: The overall purpose of the current study was to investigate the socio-economic contributions made by wildlife tourism in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to a community living adjacent to the Park. Following a mixed methods approach, the study used Tsabong, a community in Botswana, as the case study area. Interviews were conducted with key tourism stakeholders and semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to the residents involved. The study found that (i) wildlife tourism has contributed to employment creation and economic development in Tsabong, (ii) wildlife tourism has increased the community’s sense of pride in their culture and preservation of local culture because of wildlife tourism, however, also revealed that (iii) local community participation in wildlife tourism and conservation projects of the KTP is generally low and (iv) positive economic benefits of wildlife tourism are not seen by the entire community. The main recommendations of the study centre on facilitating community participation in the collaborative management of the Park

Adaptive strategies employed by the mice sector in response to COVID-19

Abstract: COVID-19 has brought to the fore drastic and transformative changes to MICE tourism. The current study therefore sought to examine the adaptive responses employed by the MICE sector of South Africa to survive and maintain business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting a qualitative research design, 19 representatives of various subsectors of the MICE industry (including organisers, suppliers, and associations) were interviewed. The data reveals that the immediate strategies implemented by many MICE organisations involved the reevaluation of their operational costs. Moreover, the study found that the sector has readjusted its business models to include virtual events in order to ensure recovery and resilience in light of the pandemic. The study argues the importance of understanding adaptive strategies as broadening theory on tourism and crises (specifically to the MICE sector) as well as understanding the process of sector resilience post-COVID-19

COVID-19 AND MICE EVENTS: UNPACKING THE FACTORS MEDIATING THE RETURN OF IN-PERSON EVENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The shift to virtual events by the MICE sector was one of the first strategies adopted by the sector in response to the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the factors mediating the return of in-person MICE events in South Africa. Utilising a qualitative research design, interviews with MICE event planners, professional associations, and governing authorities reveal that live events are perceived to have greater potential to attain local economic development benefits and MICE event legacies. Additionally, the limitations of virtual events had a subsequent effect on networking, direct selling, and other main motives for attending MICE events. The return of in-person events began with stimulating the local market and exploring more hybrid events. Overall, the study presents the resilience of in-person MICE events, examining the various steps taken to ensure its return post-COVID-19

EXAMINING THE GLOCAL FORCES THAT DETERMINED THE MICE TOURISM RECOVERY POST-COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The paper focuses on the determinants of MICE tourism recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the case of South Africa, empirical data were collected by way of in-depth interviews with 19 key stakeholders in the MICE sector. The study findings reveal five key determinants of the recovery, (1) change in focus of geographical markets, (2) varied recovery of the different economic industries, (3) limited airline access and connectivity, (4) destination image and (5) level of confidence of MICE attendees to travel. The paper’s theoretical significance lies in its timely contribution to studies on MICE tourism recovery and resilience, focusing on the developing nations' context. Further, the findings of the study, which delineate the recovery process of MICE events post-COVID-19 provide insights into building a resilient MICE sector