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Oribi Gorge As a Tourist Attraction: Assessment and Prospects

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Oribi Gorge As a Tourist Attraction: Assessment and Prospects ORIBI GORGE AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION: ASSESSMENT AND PROSPECTS BY MUSAWENKOSI CARLYLE GOBHOZI A dissertation of limited scope submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfIlment ofthe requirements for the course-work degree ofMasters ofRecreation and Tourism in the Centre for Recreation and Tourism at the University ofZululand KwaDlangezwa March 2007 APPROVAL SUPERVISOR: .................................................................. PROF. LM. MAGI Centre for Recreation and Tourism University ofZululand CO-SUPERVISOR: .................................................................... DR. N.D. MWANDLA Centre for Recreation and Tourism University ofZululand EXTERNAL EXAMINER: PROF DJ. FAlRHURST Institute for Women & Gender Studies University ofPretoria 11 DECLARATION I declare that this research study: Oribi Gorge as a Tourist Attraction: Assessment and Prospects, except were specifically indicated to the contrary in the text, is my own work both in conception and execution. All the theoretical information and related sources that have been used or quoted have been duly acknowledged by means ofcomplete references. By Musawenkosi Carlyle Gobhozi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would really love to extend my gratitude to the following people who have contributed to the completion ofthis project: • Pro£ L.M. Magi, the MRT-PDRT Co-ordinator in the Centre for Recreation and Tourism, for organizing research related classes, presentations and proof-reading of this dissertation. Also, for allowing me to meet with him over the week-ends when he should have been with his family. • My co-supervisor, Dr. N.D. Mwandla who handled the theoretical framework in the dissertation. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my co-supervisor for his never-ending patience, the humorous way in which he corrected my mistakes and his continuous inspiration and motivation that he gave me. Also for accommodating me in his home to proof-read my completed chapters and also ensuring that I always learn something new from him during these sessions. • Mr. A.T. Mthembu in the Department of Geography for helping ill analysing the data fu'1d interpreting some of the responses, as well as conducting classes on Statistical Techniques as offered through the MRT programme. •I owe a debt ofgratitude to l\-1rs Jenny Dickson, the hospitality mCLTlager at Oribi GOfl2:e- Nature Reserve. She has been with me from the beginning- - till the end of this research project. I thank her for helping me with t.he collection ofdata and also for introducing me to other staffpersonnel who , 'rh ',' . h_eIpea me WIt _ more mwrmatlOn. lY • My gratitude also goes to Mrs Susan Bruwer, the owner ofLeopard Rock Coffee shop. I thank her for the warm welcome with which she received me and the hospitality she showed when I was using the coffee shop as a centre to collect data from the tourists. • Appreciation also goes to the following staff members in Ugu Municipal District: Mr S. IDongwana, manager for LED and Tourism for answering my questions relating to my study; Mr Sam Chagi, GIS section, who was always ready to help me with any map I needed; and Miss Zama Mbhele, Tourism section; who was always willing to furnish me with whatever information I desperately needed. •I also extend my appreciation to the following members of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: Mr Gladman Buthelezi, Executive Director for Commercial Operations, for furnishing me with information regarding marketing destinations; Mr Alfred Gcabashe, Conservation manager at Mbumbazi Game Reserve, for allowing me to collect data from his subordinates; and all the officials who sacrificed their time in order to respond to my questions. • My sincere gratitude also goes to my family especially my wife for supporting me in all my endeavours. I would also like to thank my son Sbonelo who, in his strange way, never failed to pass a remark about my socks which needed to be pulled up. • Lastly, I place on record my gratitude to my sister Mrs Ruth Joyi, who never lost confidence 1.11 me and always urged me not to give up. Bv Musawenkosi Carlv!e Gobhozi DEDICATION This document is dedicated to my wife Pamela Gobhozi, who provided the necessary support and enthusiasm. My dedication also goes to my dearest sons Sbonelo, Manqoba, Xolani, Ntuthuko and my late daughter Sithembile. VI ABSTRACT The study on assessment and prospects ofOribi Gorge as a tourist attraction was conducted against the background that, in spite of the fact that South Africa is blessed with accessible wildlife, varied and impressive scenery, unspoiled wilderness areas; she has not yet been able to realise her full tourism potential. South Africa's failure to realise her potential is evident in that tourism contribution to employment, small business development, income and foreign exchange, is limited. The subsequent result of this limited contribution is that some tourist destinations attract more tourists while other destinations attract few tourists. Despite the existence of the democratic government elected in 1994, tourism development in South Africa still focuses on urban areas and areas along coast. It is also shocking to note that the tourism industry is still dominated by the white population sector. The involvement oflocal indigenous communities in tourism related activities in the study area is almost non­ existent. The study therefore, had specific objectives which are the following: (a) To fmd out whether the local community is aware of the activities and facilities in Oribi Gorge. (b) To fmd out whether the facilities m the study area are weIl­ equipped and whether they are adequately supplied. (c) To determine whether the level of utilisation and patronage of various resource facilities in the study area are oflow or high order. (d) To investigate the different marketing strategies that are employed bv the officials of Oribi GorQ.e and whether these strateQ.ies do . ~ - reach the local community. (e) To ascertain the views of the tourists with regard to the pIarming and future development ofthe study area. ,-"H A number of hypotheses directly related to the objectives of the study were postulated. The hypotheses were duly tested in an attempt to uncover the underlying causes ofthe identified discrepancies in the study area. The testing of the hypotheses was done through the analysis and interpretation of the data collected from the population sectors that are directly or indirectly affected by the study area The findings from analyses and interpretation revealed the shortcomings regarding the equipment and the supply of facilities, and also that the levels of utilisation are low in the study area. The marketing strategies used for the destination were found to be targeting the elite groups of the society which subsequently resulted in the lack of awareness of tourism activities and non­ participation in activities among the local community members. The proposed development plans ofthe officials were also found to be in disarray as the plans did not take into consideration the needs ofthe tourists. The study is concluded by putting forward the recommendations aimed at improving the conditions in the study area. VEl TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE Approval (ii) Declaration (iii) Acknowledgements (iv) Dedication (vi) Abstract (vii) CHAPTERl ORIENTAnON TO THE STUDY 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2. Background to the problem 3 1.3 Statement ofthe research problem 3 lA Objectives ofthe study 4 1.5 Significance ofthe study 6 1.6 Delimitation ofthe study 7 1.7 The purpose ofthe study 8 1.8 Assumptions 9 1.9 Hypotheses 10 1.10 Definition ofconcepts II 1.10.1 Tourism 12 1.10.2 Tourist attraction 13 1.10.3 Tourist destination 14 1.10.4 Tourism development 15 1.10.5 Tourism industry 15 1.10.6 Ecotourism 16 1.1 0.7 Sustainabiiity 17 LlO.8 National parks 18 1.10.9 Recreation 18 LlO.I0 Potential 18 1.10.11 Policy 19 1.10.12 Marketing 19 1.11 The structure ofthe study 20 1.12 Conclusion 21 CHAPTER 2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 22 2.1 Introduction 22 2.2 Attractions as bases for recreation and tourism 23 2.3 The natural resource base ofattractions 27 2.3.1 Sustainability ofnatural resources 28 2.3.2 Types ofnature based tourism 30 2.4 The cultural resource base ofattractions 33 2.4.1 Expressions of culture 34 2.5 Tourism and community development 36 2.6 The importance ofattractions to a destination 39 2.7 Marketing destinations 40 2.7.1 Deciding on a target market 41 2.7.2 Destination positioning strategy 43 2.7.3 Destination marketing mix strategy 44 Product strate!!\' 2.7.4 ~. 45 2.7.5 Pricing strategy 46 2.7.6 Distribution strategy 47 2.7.7 Promotional strategy 47 2.8 Roles ofthe key players Ll1 the tourism industry 48 x 2.8.1 The government 49 2.8.2 The private sector 49 2.8.3 The local communities 50 2.8.4 The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 51 2.9 Tourism impacts 52 2.9.1 Tourism impacts on natural resources 52 2.9.2 Socio-cuitural impacts 54 2.10 Tourism policy and legislation 56 2.10.1 Policy and the government structure 56 2.10.2 Levels ofpolicy 57 2.10.3 Tourism related legislation 58 2.lOAlmplementation oftourism policy and legislation 60 2.11 Conclusion 60 CHAPTER 3 PHYSICAL SETTL~G OF THE STUDY 62 3.1 Introduction 62 Historical background 63 3.3 Situation and physical la..,dscape 64 3.4 Climatic conditions 69 3.5 Available recreation and tourism facilities 70 3.5.1 The gorge 71 3.5.2 Self-guided trails 72 3.5.3 Game species 76 3.5.4 Birding 77 3.5.5 Other facilities 78 3.6 Adventure activities 78 J.t~ - Accommodation 80 Xl 3.7.1 Nature reserve hutted camps 80 3.7.2 Oribi
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