THE NATURE OF TOURISM ACCOMMODATION AND ITS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY

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Introduction

According to the World Tourism Organisation (2005), tourism is one of th biggest contributors to global economic and employment growth. Equally vital the role accommodation plays in the tourism industry. Callon, Miles and Munie (2007: 21) assert that the « accommodation sector is one of the most importa sectors of the tourism industry ». In fact, accommodation, or lodging, is by far th largest and decidedly ubiquitous sub-sector within the tourism industry. With ve few exceptions, tourists require a location where they can rest and revive durin their travels, or a place to stay when arriving at a tourism destination. This mean that accommodation is an essential support facility in destination regions. Ther is immense diversity in the types of tourist accommodation offerings, rangin from accommodation that provides for one or two guests in a simple home sty setting, to ‘bedroom factories’ with the capacity to cater for up to 5000 guest Most forms of the accommodation are characterised by spatial ‘fixity’ (Pende and Sharpley, 2005). This means they occupy fixed locations with environments which may change and there is therefore the need to adapt to th changing business circumstances.

The geographical area in tourism context

Limpopo is the most northerly located province in South Africa. It is named after the great Limpopo River that flows along the country’s northern border. The province, which offers a mosaic of superb scenic landscapes, has a fascinating cultural heritage, an abundance of wildlife species and many nature based tourism opportunities. Limpopo is home to the greatest concentration of South Africa’s game farms, nature reserves and national parks.

The Capricorn region

The Capricorn region stretches from the Ysterberg, all along the foothills of the lush Wolkberg, to the Tropic of Capricorn in the north. The region’s position makes it a perfect stopover between Gauteng and the northern areas of the province and between the country’s northwestern areas and the world-renowned Kruger National Park. It is also in close proximity to the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. The tourism hotspots of the region are Bela-Bela hot springs (formerly Warmbaths), Nylsvlei Nature Reserve and Bela-Bela Recreational Centre.

The Bushveld region

The Waterberg comprises a range of mountains that stretch along more than 5000km2 of spectacular vistas and scenic valleys. The area is steeped in history and some artefacts found here date back to the Stone Age period. The different rural tribes reflect the area’s rich mosaic culture and tradition. The accommodation trend does not differ much from that found in the Capricorn  region.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The geographical area in tourism
1.2.1 The Capricorn region
1.2.2 The Bushveld region
1.2.3 The Soutpansberg region
1.2.4 The Valley of the Olifants region
1.3 Problem statement
1.4 Aims and objectives of the study
1.4.1 The distinguishing characteristics of the enterprises
1.4.2 Operational nature of the business
1.4.3 The extent to which strategic planning is considered
1.5 Research questions
1.6 The rationale of the study
1.7 Framework of the study
1.8 Conclusion
CHAPTER 2 THE NATURE OF TOURISM ACCOMMODATION AND ITS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Classification of accommodation facilities
2.2.1 Accommodation grading
2.3 The diversity of tourism accommodation facilities
2.3.1 Guesthouse facilities
2.3.2 Self-catering facilities
2.3.3 Camping and caravan sites
2.4 Contextual bases for the accommodation sector
2.4.1 Human resources
2.4.2 The role of accommodation in tourism development
2.4.3 Accommodation as a tourism product
2.4.4 Transport and Accommodation
2.5 Diversity within tourism market
2.5.1 Checking the remaining gaps
2.6 Conclusion
CHAPTER 3 TOURISM DEMAND AND SUPPLY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Factors that motivates people to travel
3.3 Tourism demand
3.3.1 Limpopo tourism demand
3.3.2 The domain of tourism demand
3.4 Tourism supply
3.4.1 Supply Activities
3.4.2 Environmental supply dynamics
3.4.3 Quality assurance and pricing
3.4.4 Matching demand with supply
3.5 Tourism policy and initiatives
3.5.1 Domestic tourism growth
3.5.2 International tourism grow strategy
3.6 Market segments
3.6.1 Business market
3.6.2 In-route market
3.6.3 Niche market
3.7 Conclusion
CHAPTER 4 MARKETING TOURISM ACCOMMODATION
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Scope of tourism marketing
4.2.1 Needs, wants and demand
4.2.2 Products and services
4.2.3 Value and satisfaction
4.2.4 Exchange, transaction and relationships
4.3 Uniqueness of tourism marketing
4.3.1 Marketing tourism products
4.3.2 Marketing and service quality
4.3.3 Marketing research
4.4. Marketing mix
4.4.1 Product
4.4.2 Price
4.4.3 Promotion
4.4.4 Place
4.4.5 People
4.4.6 Process
4.4.7 Physical evidence
4.5 Marketing tools
4.5.1 Brochures
4.5.2 Web sites
4.5.3 Promotional videos
4.5.4 Signage
4.5.5 Audio-visual materials
4.6 Marketing plan
4.7 Marketing process/strategy
4.7.1 Partnership
4.7.2 Direct marketing
4.8 Market segmentation
4.8.1 Geographic segmentation
4.8.2 Demographic segmentation
4.8.3 Psychographic segmentation
4.8.4 Benefit/product segmentation
4.8.5 Advantages of market segmentation
4.9 Target market or product differentiation
4.10 Positioning
4.11 Factors in marketing environment
4.12 Conclusion
CHAPTER 5 STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR TOURISM ENTERPRISES
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The purpose of a strategic plan
5.3 Theories of strategic planning
5.4 The process of strategic planning
5.5 Levels of strategy development
5.6 Strategy performance indicators
5.7 Overcoming some barriers to success
5.8 Tourism product development
5.9 Conclusion
CHAPTER 6 METHODOLOGY
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 Distinguishing characteristics of enterprises 137
6.1.2 The operational nature of the business
6.1.3 The extent to which strategic planning is considered 13
6.1.4 Research questions
6.2 Pilot survey
6.3 Primary data collection
6.4 Secondary data collection
6.5 Key research methods
6.5.1 Qualitative method
6.5.2 Quantitative method
6.5.3 Questionnaire
6.5.4 Interviews
6.5.5 Triangulation
6.6 Data presentation
6.7 Data analysis
6.8 Problems encountered
6.8.1 Approaches to encountered problems
6.8.2 Validity and reliability
6.9 Conclusion
CHAPTER 7 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The nature of the enterprise investigated
7.2.1 Establishment and choice of the site
7.2.2 Locational choice and infrastructural resources
7.2.3 Ownership and management style
7.2.4 Human resource
7.2.5 Business performance
7.2.6 Competitiveness
7.3 Operation of the business
7.3.1 Impacting factors on the business 187
7.3.2 The role of different stakeholders 190
7.3.3 The role of the government and its parasitical organisation
7.3.4 Marketing challenges
7.4 Business strategies
7.4.1 Basis for strategy formulation
7.4.2 Levels of business strategic planning
7.4.3 Innovations
7.4.4 Partnership
7.4.5 Networking and cooperation
7.4.6 Additional strategies
7.4.7 Adoption and implementation of strategy
7.5 Conclusion
CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 Introduction
8.2. The nature of enterprises and their extent
8.2.1 Purpose for business establishment
8.2.2 Service quality and development
8.2.3 Business prospects
8.3 The operation of the Business
8.3.1 The role of government in the development of enterprises
8.3.2 The need for skills and training
8.3.3 Marketing and branding
8.3.4 Provincial (Limpopo) SWOT analysis
8.4 Recommendation
8.4.1 Strategic focus
8.4.2 The development strategy
8.4.3 Proposed generic strategic plan
8.5 Conclusion

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TOURISM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NON-METROPOLITAN SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NON-METROPOLITAN SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA