Tourism Development and Host Community
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Introduction
Host Community participation in tourism developments in South Africa forms an integral part of the government objectives in the tourism industry which are inter alia to build a world class tourism industry and to integrate historically disadvantaged people into the mainstream of the industry. However, sense of community and participation forms some of the crucial factors which can affect processes of tourism development as postulated by Aref (2011). Without community participation, tourism development could not be achieved hence there is a need for governments in the developing world to play a role in fostering community support for tourism development and enhancing long-term sustainability as a broad base for tourism development planning as cited by Hall, Kirkpatrick, Michael (2010) states that developing a sense of community contributes to participation by enabling people to feel connected and motivated to live in harmony and work together towards common goals hence Aref (2011) states that there is a strong positive relationship between the extent of the community in tourism development and their perceptions towards an increase in tourism development. This paper serves to clearly show how the relationship between community and tourism development and also showing how community can involvement can be important relating to countries in the developing world.
The relationship between host community and tourism development
Communities and tourism are interdependent (Hall et al., 2005) meaning that local communities play a crucial role in tourism. He also points out that communities play the following key three roles in tourism: Local communities are the providers of tourist services; hence there are focal points for supply of amenities for tourists. In the case of urban tourism, tourists come into contact with the host community members who are employed in the tourism industry and provide exclusively tourism
Introduction
Host Community participation in tourism developments in South Africa forms an integral part of the government objectives in the tourism industry which are inter alia to build a world class tourism industry and to integrate historically disadvantaged people into the mainstream of the industry. However, sense of community and participation forms some of the crucial factors which can affect processes of tourism development as postulated by Aref (2011). Without community participation, tourism development could not be achieved hence there is a need for governments in the developing world to play a role in fostering community support for tourism development and enhancing long-term sustainability as a broad base for tourism development planning as cited by Hall, Kirkpatrick, Michael (2010) states that developing a sense of community contributes to participation by enabling people to feel connected and motivated to live in harmony and work together towards common goals hence Aref (2011) states that there is a strong positive relationship between the extent of the community in tourism development and their perceptions towards an increase in tourism development. This paper serves to clearly show how the relationship between community and tourism development and also showing how community can involvement can be important relating to countries in the developing world.
The relationship between host community and tourism development
Communities and tourism are interdependent (Hall et al., 2005) meaning that local communities play a crucial role in tourism. He also points out that communities play the following key three roles in tourism: Local communities are the providers of tourist services; hence there are focal points for supply of amenities for tourists. In the case of urban tourism, tourists come into contact with the host community members who are employed in the tourism industry and provide exclusively tourism
References: Aref, F. 2011. Residents’ Attitudes towards Tourism Impacts: A Case Study of Shiraz, Iran. Tourism Analysis, 15(2), 253-261. DEAT, 2006. White Paper on the Development and Promotion of tourism in South Africa. Eshliki, S. & Kaboudi, M. 2011. community perceptions of tourism impacts and their participation in tourism planning. 36(11) 333-341. Available from http://www.sciencedirect.com( Accessed 13/04/2013) Fakir, S., Stavrou, A. and Russel, E. 1999. DRA-Development report: Ecotourism and micro enterprise development. Unpublished papers presented at Shongweni Resources Reserve, South Africa. Hall, D. R., Kirkpatrick, I., & Mitchell, M. (2005). Rural Tourism and Sustainable Business: Channel View Publications Michael, M. 2009. A case of local communities in Barabarani village, Mto Wa Mru, Arusha-Tanzania. Community Involvement and Participation in tourism development in Tanzania. A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of masters of tourism management: Victoria University of Wellington. Mohammadi, H. (2010). Citizen Participation in Urban Planning and management, the Case of Iran, Shiraz city, Saadi community. Cassel : Cassel University press. Naipinit, A. & Maneenetr.T. 2010. Community Participation In Tourism Management In Busai Village Homestay, Wangnamkheo District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The International Business & Economics Research Journal, 9 (1): 103-109 Nampila, T. (2005). Assessing community participation–the Huidare informal settlement. University of Stellenbosch