'Who is a heritage tourist?' a comparative study of Constitution Hill and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Heritage tourism is a fast growing global sector of the cultural tourism industry. The National Department of Tourism has suggested that heritage tourism should be an important contributor to South Africa's economy. Liberation or 'struggle' heritage tourism is growing in popularity. This paper, through a mixed methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data, sought to investigate heritage 'struggle' tourism in South Africa through a comparative analysis of two iconic heritage sites: Constitution Hill and The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, both in Johannesburg. This comparison espoused: establishing a basic demographic profile of 'who a heritage tourist is'; explored visitor perceptions of heritage and its importance for tourism in South Africa; and investigated some possible reasons for why South Africa's heritage is so popular; as well as outline some obstacles people think hinder the heritage tourism industry in South Africa. This research is thus a precursor to better understanding and exploring the economic potential of heritage tourism in South Africa. The results show that heritage tourism is a growing phenomenon in South Africa, but remains a diverse and complicated industry and needs careful planning, effective management and innovative marketing strategies. Moreover, this paper posits that various stakeholders must work together to successfully take this South African tourist industry forward in the future