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TABLE OF CONTENTS: PAGE: 1 INTRODUCTION 4 1.1 Motivation and objectives 4 1.2 Problem statement 4 1.3 Research methodology 5 1.4 Data gathering 6 1.5 Research limitations 6 2 TOURISM POTENTIAL 7 2.1 International tourism 7 2.2 South African tourism 8 3 TOURISM IN SOUTH AFRICA 11 3.1 South Africa’s supply of tourism 11 3.2 Demand for tourism 11 3.3 Tourism development 14 3.4 The impact of tourism 16 4 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 17 5 ECOTOURISM 18 5.1 Geotourism 19 1 6 THE SUPPLY OF GEOTOURISM IN SOUTH AFRICA 20 6.1 South Africa’s mining heritage 20 6.2 South Africa’s geological heritage 22 6.3 Selected sites of importance 31 7 PROBLEMS 39 7.1 Problem of neglect 40 7.2 Problem of signposting 45 7.3 Problem of site accessibility 49 8 GEOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT 50 8.1 The nature of the geotourist 50 8.2 Interpretation media 51 8.3 Geotourism combined with conventional tourism 51 8.4 Geotourism Interest Group 52 8.5 The Geoparks proposal 53 8.6 Current geotourism development in South Africa 54 9 CONCLUSION 58 10 REFERENCES 60 2 LIST OF FIGURES: PAGE: Figure 1: Flow diagram of methodology followed. 6 Figure 2: The demand curve for a product. 12 Figure 3: World-class exposure of Bushveld layering at Dwars River. 27 Figure 4: The old lime works at Makapansgat. 34 Figure 5: Aerial view of the Tswaing Crater. 39 Figure 6: The entrance to Fortuna mine tunnel. 42 Figure 7: The neglected entrance to the centre site of the Vredefort Dome. 42 Figure 8: Afrikaans sign indicating the trail to the koppie. 44 Figure 9: The abandoned granite quarry with the koppie in the background. 44 Figure 10: The red signpost indicating Sterkfontein Caves is hidden behind another. 46 Figure 11: Swartkrans: There is no signpost to indicate this National Monument. 46 Figure 12: The disguised turn-off to Makapan’s Valley. 48 Figure 13: A green (in stead of brown) signpost indicating the ‘Vredefort Koepel’. 48 Figure 14: Visitors having an on-site fossil experience at the West Coast Fossil Park. 56 Figure 15: Artists impression of the proposed site museum and viewing deck. 57 LIST OF TABLES: PAGE: Table 1: The growth of international tourism arrivals and receipts worldwide. 7 Table 2: Employment created by tourism in South Africa. 9 Table 3: Expected number of visitors and employment created for 1999-2002. 9 3 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Motivation and objectives The motivation for this study is summarised in the following quote: “Put simply and cursorily, the aim is to make known something previously unknown to human beings” (Veal, 1992:1). Arising from a personal interest in geology and palaeontology, this study was conducted after a realisation of the potential of South Africa as a geotourism destination, the fact that very few people know or show interest in our geological heritage, and the fact that this potential is not being developed or optimally utilised. The objective is to make people aware of their geological heritage and to create a pride amongst the local people of South Africa. If we can discover why the general public is ignorant about the geological and palaeontological sites of world importance in their own country, we can suggest solutions, which will lead to the enlightenment of the general public. This in turn will lead to the responsible development and management of a tourism industry focused around our geological and palaeontological heritage. 1.2 Problem statement South Africa as a country has a rich geological and palaeontological heritage. Experts from all over the world come to South Africa to study earth science. Terms like the “Bushveld Igneous Complex”, the “Witwatersrand Supergroup”, the “Karoo Supergroup”, the “Limpopo Belt” and the “Sterkfontein Caves” are found in textbooks all over the world. Unfortunately only a select group of South Africans, mostly academics, know about the geology and palaeontology of South Africa. The general public is unaware of the world-class status of South Africa in terms of this unique earth heritage. Why is this? 4 Is it because of a lack of interest or knowledge? And if so, what causes this? Are sites of geological and palaeontological importance easily accessible? Is it affordable to visit? Are these sites effectively marketed both locally and internationally? Are we even aware of the unique potential of South Africa in terms of global tourism? These matters will be addressed in order to review the scope of South Africa as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. The limiting factors in terms of the tourism development will also be discussed. 1.3 Research methodology According to Veal (1992), there are three types of research within the leisure and tourism discipline: · Descriptive research: Finding out about something. · Explanatory research: Explaining the findings. · Evaluative research: Evaluating the effectiveness of policies / programmes. The research in this study is mainly descriptive since geotourism is a relatively new field of study and in need of ‘territory mapping’. In trying to explain the problems identified, it also touches on explanatory research. The study begins with a description of tourism and the potential that it encompasses in employment and economic terms. The tourism potential in South Africa, and specifically the potential of geotourism, is described. The problems that were encountered and identified during the study, as well as other problems associated with geotourism in South Africa are described, and then explained. The method of research used consists of a process of data observation and description, data analysis and explanation. This is called the inductive process (Veal, 1992). A flow diagram of how exactly 5 this process is followed is included in Figure 1. Four steps that are outlined in the research process are: · Preparation / planning · Investigation · Analysis · Write-up / presentation of results 1.4 Data gathering Different ways of data gathering were used. Data were collected first and foremost via a literature study: this was done especially in the description of tourism and its potential, as well as the description of the sites mentioned. Another data gathering technique used was the interviewing of individuals and different authorities. On-site investigation also revealed several problems identified in this study. Figure 1: Flow diagram of methodology followed. 1.5 Research limitations Due to the limited nature of the study (being a mini-dissertation), and the large extent of the scope of the study, it is impossible to cover all places of geological and palaeontological importance in 6 South Africa. Only a brief overview of the geological and mining heritage of South Africa is given and only a selection of the most important sites is discussed. There are many other interesting and important sites mentioned in some of the references. 2 TOURISM POTENTIAL The following chapter will explore the international growth in tourism, and the tourism potential in South Africa. This concept is important in the context of this study towards the objective of realising the status of the country as a world-class tourist destination. It is also important since it determines the degree to which South Africa’s geological and palaeontological heritage can be marketed. 2.1 International tourism Over the past few decades there was a definite increase in tourism as both an industry and activity (Table 1), according to Cooper et. al (1993). Table 1: The growth of international tourism arrivals and receipts worldwide. Year Tourist arrivals (1,000's) Tourism receipts* (million $US-1991) 1950 25 282 2 100 1960 69 296 6 817 1970 159 690 17 900 1980 284 841 102 372 1990 429 250 249 300 *Excluding international fare receipts (Hunter and Green, 1995). 7 The growth of international tourism has also been remarkably resistant to adverse economical and political conditions. So much so that the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) second annual report contains this one striking message: "Travel and tourism is the world's largest industry and the world's largest employer - creating wealth, creating jobs" (WTTC, 1992: Introductory page). According to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, DEAT (1996) the WTTC estimates that travel and tourism is now the world's largest generator of employment. In 1995, the industry provided direct and indirect employment for 212 million people; accounted for 10.7% of the global work force and provided one in every nine jobs. Between 1995 and 2000, it was estimated that travel and tourism globally added one new job every 2.5 seconds and created 125 million new direct and indirect employment opportunities. In economic terms, the tourism industry generated US $ 3.4 million million in world gross output and contributed US $ 655 000 million of government tax revenues in 1995. In Britain, Germany, Japan, and the USA, more adults have travelled than visited a library, attended a sporting event or have gone to see a play or concert. The tourism industry is also expected to grow by 50% between 1995 and 2005. By this time the industry will be worth US $ 7 million million to the world economy (DEAT, 1996). 2.2 South African tourism South Africa saw a 52% increase in overseas tourists between 1994 and 1995 (Wybenga, 1999). Despite this phenomenal increase, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism made the following statement in 1996 concerning the potential for tourism in South Africa: “South Africa has not been able to realise its full potential in tourism” (DEAT, 1996). This reflects the fact that there is untapped potential in South Africa in terms of tourism. According to South African Tourism (SATOUR, 2001), the WTTC performed an analysis of the direct and indirect employment opportunities created by tourism in South Africa (Table 2).