A critical assessment of responsible tourism practices: a case study of Stormsriver adventures
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The role of cooperatives in local economic development and job creation
- Authors: Ramncwana, Zukiswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cooperative societies , Economic development , Job creation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5919 , vital:21013
- Description: This study concentrates on the role of cooperatives in Local Economic Development (LED) and the creation of sustainable jobs. In ascertaining this role, it was imperative that the study also examine the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods; where their desire, their beliefs and their perceived social norms are examined. In line with the examination of the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods, we have also identified the drivers or catalyst to really changing the behaviour and/or performance and really taking action. Motivation of this study is that the participants and LED officials will learn from the lessons that are identified. Lessons can be learned from our history in South Africa that through dedication and sustained motivation goals can be realised. Motivation and commitment are therefore important in strengthening the foundations of cooperative development towards job creation; where social capital is the driver of commitment and motivation and should be promoted as such. Through the cooperation that is inherent in cooperatives people pull together towards realising their dreams. The sustainable jobs are however not attainable at this stage of cooperative development but strong foundations are however being built to realise these goals in the near future. Unemployment is a big problem that policy makers are looking for solutions to, and hence the development of policy measures like the Cooperative Policy to address poverty through creation of cooperatives. These cooperatives collectively benefit the members and create a platform for mutual cooperation. Self-motivation and ‘Ubuntu’ need to be ingrained more in our culture and find a ‘new meaning’. There is a role for social capital and the unity that is within ‘Ubuntu’ to really be used as the undoubted asset that it is. Social capital can be seen as the driver of commitment and motivation. This can also be seen in the Mutual Incentives Theory’ (MIT) of motivations to participate developed by Birchall and Simmons, as meaningful participation can be motivated by three variables. These variables are shared goals, shared values and sense of community. These three variables are all integrated in social capital; where social capital could be seen as the common denominator. Such conclusions about the importance of social capital in driving meaningful participation in cooperatives should be widely acknowledged. The promotion of social capital in all its forms should be wide spread and it should form part of the basis for solutions to cooperative development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ramncwana, Zukiswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cooperative societies , Economic development , Job creation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5919 , vital:21013
- Description: This study concentrates on the role of cooperatives in Local Economic Development (LED) and the creation of sustainable jobs. In ascertaining this role, it was imperative that the study also examine the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods; where their desire, their beliefs and their perceived social norms are examined. In line with the examination of the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods, we have also identified the drivers or catalyst to really changing the behaviour and/or performance and really taking action. Motivation of this study is that the participants and LED officials will learn from the lessons that are identified. Lessons can be learned from our history in South Africa that through dedication and sustained motivation goals can be realised. Motivation and commitment are therefore important in strengthening the foundations of cooperative development towards job creation; where social capital is the driver of commitment and motivation and should be promoted as such. Through the cooperation that is inherent in cooperatives people pull together towards realising their dreams. The sustainable jobs are however not attainable at this stage of cooperative development but strong foundations are however being built to realise these goals in the near future. Unemployment is a big problem that policy makers are looking for solutions to, and hence the development of policy measures like the Cooperative Policy to address poverty through creation of cooperatives. These cooperatives collectively benefit the members and create a platform for mutual cooperation. Self-motivation and ‘Ubuntu’ need to be ingrained more in our culture and find a ‘new meaning’. There is a role for social capital and the unity that is within ‘Ubuntu’ to really be used as the undoubted asset that it is. Social capital can be seen as the driver of commitment and motivation. This can also be seen in the Mutual Incentives Theory’ (MIT) of motivations to participate developed by Birchall and Simmons, as meaningful participation can be motivated by three variables. These variables are shared goals, shared values and sense of community. These three variables are all integrated in social capital; where social capital could be seen as the common denominator. Such conclusions about the importance of social capital in driving meaningful participation in cooperatives should be widely acknowledged. The promotion of social capital in all its forms should be wide spread and it should form part of the basis for solutions to cooperative development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
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