Andrea Giampiccoli

Destination South Africa: comparing global sports mega-events and recurring localised sports events in South Africa for tourism and economic development

This contribution examines the comparative value of sport mega-events such as the 2010 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup of soccer held in South Africa and recurring sporting events (SPEs) such as the Comrades Marathon held each year in KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Through an examination of case studies of the World Cup and regional SPEs in South Africa, with particular focus on Durban and surrounding areas of KwaZulu-Natal, we seek to expand debate on the efficacy of various SPEs on tourism and local and regional economic development strategies. We present a detailed literature review of the role of these events to economic development and impacts on tourism and legacy planning then examine extant data produced around the 2010 World Cup (realising that we only have a partial picture to date) and compare that to SPEs held regularly in the region. Our aim is to generate intelligent debate around the role of sports and tourism in economic development strategies and suggest that alternative focus will yield more sustainable and predictable returns that locate benefits in host communities.

Interrogating the role of the state and nonstate actors in community-based tourism ventures: toward a model for spreading the benefits to the wider community

The main objective of this article is to present a model of community-based tourism (CBT) and to expound on its benefits in relation to community development. It argues that, in order to promote holistic community development, genuine community-based enterprises must be under the full control of community members to avoid domination by the elite or external actors. The article posits that the character and methodology of intervention by external actors are paramount in determining the outcome of CBT development projects. In terms of who benefits from CBT ventures, this article argues that the benefits must be community wide. It reflects on two types of CBT (labeled types 1 and 2) and weighs their values in terms of their benefit to communities. Issues regarding cooperation between CBT ventures, common ownership of physical assets and the relevance of the accommodation sector are expounded. The main conclusion reached is that, regardless of the type of CBT services or facilities adopted, these ventures should remain fully owned, managed and controlled by community members (or groups of independent micro and small ventures under the same CBT management organization); external partners should provide facilitative and other supporting services instead of being a partner in the CBT venture itself.

Towards a comprehensive model of community-based tourism development

Community-based tourism (CBT) offers both opportunities and challenges in the quest for holistic community development. The evolution and development of CBT projects can follow different trajectories. This conceptual papers main contribution is the formulation of a comprehensive model of the development of CBT. The model suggests that CBT projects can be initiated from within and outside the community by the private, public and non-governmental sectors or a combination of these using a top-down or bottom-up approach. It also posits that CBT projects can take a formal or informal character depending on the conditions leading to their initiation. The paper highlights the benefits and constraints to the scaling up or down of operations linked to informality. It supports further research in analyzing the various aspects associated with the shift from formality to the informality of CBT projects and vice versa and the relationship with CBT development and holistic community development.

Community-based tourism: an exploration of the concept(s) from a political perspective

Tourism is always seen as a viable alternative means of boosting development in developing countries. Similarly, community-based tourism (CBT) is generally associated with development in poor, especially rural, communities. This article first presents CBT as a possible community development tool, exploring its conceptual and historical evolution, and then offers solutions for enhancing the opportunities and capacity of CBT in facilitating rural community development. To that end, a definition of community and notions of development are proposed, and a community development strategy, based on issues of empowerment, self-reliance, and sustainability, is explored. Special attention is given to local context issues in relation to community development. In addition, the origin and evolution of the CBT concept, and the linkages between the concept and alternative development paradigms from the 1970s are explored, including the notions of empowerment and self-reliance. This article makes two contributions. Firstly, it proposes that the current meaning of CBT does not coincide with the original concept of CBT because the contemporary policy milieu has changed. Secondly, it presents different CBT typologies in line with contemporary CBT concept(s) and issues of community development.

Are ‘Albergo Diffuso’ and community-based tourism the answers to community development in South Africa?

ABSTRACT Conventional mass tourism shortcomings have facilitated the origin of alternative forms of tourism such as community-based tourism (CBT). Lately, another form of tourism known as ‘Albergo Diffuso’ (AD) has also been mentioned as a possible strategy to revive depressed specific local contexts, such as townships, villages and small towns. This article’s aim is twofold: first to contextualise the concept of AD in the South African milieu and secondly to investigate the possible relationship and role that CBT and AD could have. In this context, specific characteristics and similarities between CBT and AD are explored. The article’s main contribution concerns the exploration of the AD concept as an alternative form of tourism related to local community development. This is the first time that this concept has been presented in a South African context.

Beyond the reach of FIFA: football and community ‘development’ in rural South Africa, towards a politics of inclusion and sustainability

The real legacy of the 2010 World Cup is that people in the focus areas of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg–Tshwane may have received some benefit from infrastructural development while much of the rest of South Africa has fallen further behind those globally projecting conurbations. Though the literature on sport and community development is growing rapidly as is work on legacy and mega events, there are few studies that examine initiatives generated within local communities, particularly those located well away from the activities of international sport development agencies. In this paper, we examine a village football team in rural Mpondoland in the far reaches of the Eastern Cape located well away from the impact of World Cup football-related initiatives. We also explore activities of international sport development agencies. We examine the motivations of the players, the community role that football plays and how community-generated initiatives might be supported and nurtured with full involvement and democratic decision-making practices embedded into the operation of local sporting groups. Understanding the hurdles faced in resource-strapped communities will enhance discussion of the ways in which sporting development can be supported rather than imposed and become sustainable in the future.

Tourism, community-based tourism and ecotourism: a definitional problematic

ABSTRACT This article examines the definitional problematics associated with the many typologies of tourism focusing on tourism, ecotourism and community-based tourism. The wide range of typologies currently in use calls for more precise definitions to inform both policy and practice. The article argues that Government should shoulder this responsibility as it adopts the legislation and policies which regulate the sector. It unpacks the definitions employed by different role players, some of whom use them as marketing gimmicks. Based on definitions derived from secondary sources, the article argues that community-based ecotourism is an umbrella definition which encompasses environmental and cultural/social sustainability, local involvement/benefits, and social equity/redistributive justice and control of the tourism sector. It concludes that all typologies of tourism should be sustainable for the benefit of the hosts and that definitions should capture contemporary issues.

South African community-based tourism operational guidelines: Analysis and critical review

Community-based tourism (CBT), similar to tourism in general, is growing in relevance and importance as a field of research. The growing interest in CBT has led to the production of various handbooks, manuals and/or guidelines on CBT development. The tourism sector in South Africa is growing, and the South African government has realized the relevance of community involvement in tourism. Lately, the South African government has also produced CBT guidelines. Within this context, this article, while not excluding general issues concerning CBT, specifically pays attention to the main issues related to CBT and correlates them with the South African CBT guidelines. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to critically review how certain fundamental CBT principles are presented and interpreted in the South African CBT guidelines. The article intends to contribute to the growing literature on CBT. The conclusion reveals that the South African CBT guidelines provide a very broad understanding and interpretation of CBT. This should be seen as a weakness and a danger for implementing CBT.

Community-based Tourism Development: A Possible Educational Gap

ABSTRACT The demand for well-trained staff in tourism has increased in the last three decades. This is due to the economic contribution of tourism to national economies and its popularity in generating employment. Many developing countries depend on tourism for socio-economic development. Current literature reveals the existence of a gap in Community-based Tourism (CBT) curriculum and qualifications at degree level. This paper is a conceptual paper compiled using an internet search of keywords related to community-based tourism. It examines the gaps that exist in the CBT capacity building process. This is meant to encourage tourism educators and curriculum developers to seriously consider CBT education at degree level. This paper recommends the introduction of a new qualification in CBT at the degree level in South Africa and elsewhere to fill the gaps in CBT capacity principally because such an offering does not exist based on the literature perused.

Events and sport tourism

This chapter discusses recurring sports events (RSEs) and their impact on policy decisions for governments and the tourism of an area. The ongoing, year-on-year benefits of RSEs are highlighted. It is argued that a strategy based around recurring sporting and touristic interest is more likely to bring success in terms of visitor numbers and brand identity than one-off events that only briefly leave their mark. A case study compares the impact of the 2010 World Cup and RSEs on tourism in Durban, South Africa.