Engelina du Plessis

Accessibility Expectations of Tourists with Disabilities in National Parks

ABSTRACT This study sought to establish the expectations of people with disabilities when they visit national parks. The study has been motivated by the gap between the increasing numbers of people with disabilities worldwide who travel and the adequacy of tourism facilities, especially nature-based tourism facilities for people with disabilities. It was further stimulated by the fact that most of the accessibility standards in existence today have been formulated by policymakers without any consultations with the affected persons. The aim of the study was to develop research-based guidelines to help park management in product development. The study adopted a mixed method approach of both qualitative and quantitative data collections. It also took a cross-dimensional approach by including different dimensions of disabilities in order to get a more balanced view of the expectations of people with disabilities in national parks. The findings of this study revealed that people with disabilities, regardless of their type of disabilities regard employee attitudes highly. They are more worried about the way people treat them than the physical access. It was established that steps and staircases are highly discouraged by people of all embodiments. A set of recommendations was given to inform policy on universal accessibility.

Aspects contributing to tourism price competitiveness of South Africa

Although price has been indicated as strength for South Africa as a tourist destination, high price increases could change this perception over time. It was the aim of this study to determine the unique aspects of the tourism price competitiveness of South Africa as a destination. A total of 2727 structured questionnaire was emailed to tourism operators associated with South Africa as a tourist destination during 2013, of which 271 usable questionnaires were returned. The results indicate that 78% of the respondents regard South Africa to be competitive and 55% point out that a 5% price increase of tourism products and services is acceptable. Sixty-five percent indicated that price increase has a significant effect on the tourism sales. Fuel prices, inflation, exchange rate, electricity cost and labour costs were indicated as the aspects that exert the greatest influence on the competitiveness of South Africa as a destination.

Pricing guidelines for graded hotels and guesthouses in South Africa

Pricing accommodation is a complex process. This study attempted to provide guidelines for determining competitive prices for hotels and guesthouses in South Africa, the two types of accommodation that hold the largest share of the South African market. A survey was conducted in cooperation with the major role players in South Africas accommodation sector: the South African Tourism Service Association (SATSA), the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). A total of 2,288 questionnaires were sent out via e-mail and 247 were returned completed. The significance of the mean price differences of the star grading levels was tested, and hotels and guesthouses were compared using an independent t test. A significant difference was found between the prices of hotels and guesthouses, especially in the five-star category. The study also revealed a 20% difference between the prices of the star categories. The pricing guidelines provided here can sustain competitiveness with growing profitability.