THE TOURISM IMPACTS OF THE 2012 CONFEDERATION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL (CAF) NATIONS CUP IN GABON by GRACE NTAHINTA MBOUMBA Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology in Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Professor Kamilla Swart Co-supervisor: Professor Tembi Tichaawa Cape Town Campus (May 2017) CPUT copyright information The dissertation may not be published either in part (in scholarly, scientific or technical journals), or as a whole (as a monograph), unless permission has been obtained from the University i DECLARATION I, Grace Ntahinta Mboumba, declare that the contents of this dissertation represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Signed Date ii ABSTRACT Sport tourism events have been recognised as a very important niche market offering great opportunities for countries worldwide. Because of their ability to provide urban, regional and national developments, every country around the globe is increasingly battling to host these events. This study focuses on the tourism impacts of major sport events in the African developing context, the aim being to close the gap currently existing in the literature regarding the subject. The main objective of the study was to determine the tourism impacts of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon”. The study adopted a quantitative research approach (descriptive design) to obtain data and findings. Questionnaires were split according to the two match venues (Libreville and Franceville) and administered to visitors. Respondents were remoulded during the course of the event. Despite some negative impacts highlighted and others aspects investigated; the most important finding of the study revealed that Gabon successfully hosted the event which turned out to be good for local communities and contributed to their development. Conclusively, the study confirms that major sport events such as the Africa Cup of Nations have indeed the potential to develop tourism, provide new business opportunities and benefit residents of local communities. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank: . The Almighty God who gave me the strength beyond everything to complete this study. I love him because of he loved me first and is always by my side. My lovely husband, Paulin Essone Ndong and our gift from God “Essone Ndong Faith” who underwent this long process with me and supported me – I love you dearly. My dad and mum, Mr & Mrs Ntahitangiye, the engine of my success in life. My supervisor Prof Kamilla Swart and co-supervisor Prof Tembi Tichaawa Maloney, for their assistance but mainly their patience to see me through this process, advising me in the right direction. From the bottom of my heart I thank you. My mother in law, Mrs Mengue Aubame Emmanuella. All my friends, including Senior Pastor Dorego and his wife, Senior Pastor Ndjoumbi and his wife who encouraged me. My special friend Moussounda Nancy for your support. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation towards this research is acknowledged. Opinions expressed in this dissertation and the conclusions arrived at, are those of the author, and are not necessarily to be attributed to the National Research Foundation. iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to GOD ALMIGHTY, my dad and my mum Mr & Mrs Ntahitangiye. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Title i Declaration ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements iv Dedication v Table of contents vi List of figures x List of tables xi Appendices xiii Glossary xiv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO STUDY 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Clarification of basic terms and concepts 3 1.2.1 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 3 1.2.2 Football 3 1.2.3 Events 4 1.2.4 Sport events 4 1.2.5 Sport event tourism 5 1.2.6 Major sport events 5 1.2.7 Mega-events 6 1.2.8 Hallmarks events 7 1.2.9 Sport 7 1.2.10 Tourism 8 1.2.11 Sport tourism 8 1.2.12 Impact 9 1.2.13 Tourism impacts 9 1.2.14 Tourist 9 1.2.15 Sport tourists 10 1.3 Problem statement 10 1.4 Research objectives 10 1.5 Research questions 11 1.6 Research methodology 11 1.6.1 Methods and tools for data collection 12 1.6.1.1 Secondary data sources 12 1.6.1.2 Primary data sources 12 1.6.2 Research design 12 1.6.2.1 Questionnaire design 12 1.6.3 Sampling techniques 12 1.6.4 Method of data analysis 13 1.6.5 Sample selection 13 1.6.5.1 Identification of study areas 13 1.7 Delineation of the study 13 1.8 Ethical considerations 13 1.9 Significance and contribution of the study 13 1.10 The layout of the dissertation 13 1.11 Summary 13 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction 16 2.2. The relationship between sport and tourism 17 vi 2.3 Sport event tourism 19 2.4 Typologies of sport tourism events 20 2.4.1 Mega sport events 20 2.4.2 Major sport events 21 2.5 Profiling sport tourists with a specific focus on football 22 2.6 Sport tourists‟ motivational factors 24 2.7 The growing importance of hosting sport events 27 2.8 Overview of football in Africa 30 2.8.1 Confederation of African Football (CAF) 30 2.8.1.1 Organisation 30 2.8.1.2 History and background 31 2.8.1.3 The Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) 31 2.9 Tourism in Gabon 32 2.10 Tourism impacts of major sport events 33 2.10.1 Economic impacts of major sport tourism events 35 2.10.1.1 Economic benefits 36 2.10.1.1.1 Economic and regional development 36 2.10.1.1.2 Contribution to the GDP 37 2.10.1.1.3 Job creation 37 2.10.1.1.4 The development of additional trade and of existing businesses 39 2.10.1.1.5 Media exposure 41 2.10.1.2 Economic costs 41 2.10.1.2.1 Economic losses 43 2.10.1.2.2 Opportunity costs 44 2.10.1.2.3 Inflation 46 2.10.2 Socio-cultural impacts of major sport tourism events 46 2.10.2.1 Social benefits 47 2.10.2.1.1 The sense of national pride and unity – social cohesion 47 2.10.2.1.2 Image and marketing opportunities 48 2.10.2.1.3 Intercultural exchange and shared experiences 49 2.10.2.1.4 Infrastructural benefits 50 2.10.2.2 Social costs 51 2.10.2.2.1 Prostitution 51 2.10.2.2.2 Crime and violence 52 2.10.2.2.3 Overcrowding and congestion 53 2.10.3 Environmental impacts of major sport tourism events 54 2.10.3.1 Environmental benefits 54 2.10.3.1.1 Infrastructural legacy 55 2.10.3.1.2 Improved transport and communications 55 2.10.3.1.3 Urban transformation and renewal 56 2.10.3.2 Environmental costs 57 2.10.3.2.1 Environmental damage 57 2.10.3.2.2 Pollution 58 2.10.3.2.3 Destruction of the environment and natural heritage 59 2.10.3.2.4 Noise disturbance 60 2.11 Summary 61 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction 62 3.2 Research questions 62 3.3 Background to the study 62 3.4 Research design 66 3.5 Population and sample selection 68 3.6 Methods and tools for data collection 69 3.6.1 Secondary data sources 69 3.6.2 Primary data sources 70 vii 3.6.2.1 Questionnaire surveys 70 3.6.3 Pilot study 72 3.6.4 Reliability and validity of the research instrument 73 3.6.5 Ethical considerations 74 3.6.6 Method of data analysis 74 3.7 Summary 75 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS 4.1 Introduction 76 4.2 The sample used in the study 76 4.3 Demographic profile of the respondents 76 4.3.1 Country of origin 76 4.3.2 Gender 78 4.3.3 Age 79 4.3.4 Level of education 80 4.3.5 Monthly household income of respondents 81 4.4 Previous visitation and attendance at an AFCON 82 4.4.1 Previous attendance at an AFCON 83 4.4.2 Number of prior AFCON tournaments attended 84 4.4.3 Previous visits to Gabon 84 4.4.4 Number of previous visits to Gabon 84 4.4.5 Previous visits to Libreville 85 4.4.6 Number of previous visits made to Libreville 86 4.4.7 Previous visits to Franceville 86 4.4.8 Number of previous visits made to Franceville 87 4.5 Visitors‟ information 88 4.5.1 Number of tickets bought per respondent 88 4.5.2 Number of overnight stays per city 90 4.6 Tourism activities engaged in by sport tourists in Gabon 91 4.7 Main sources of information used by respondents before travelling 92 to Gabon (foreign visitors) 4.8 Mode of transport during the 2012 AFCON 93 4.9 Motives for visiting Gabon 94 4.9.1 Importance of the 2012 AFCON in the decision to travel to Gabon 94 (in the case of foreign visitors) / to the host city concerned (in the case of domestic visitors) 4.9.2 Watching of match due to presence in the region at the time 96 4.9.3 Holiday‟s extension so as to be able to watch the match 96 4.10 Perception of Gabon as a tourism destination 96 4.10.1 Perceptions of social impacts 97 4.10.2 Perception of economic impacts 103 4.10.3 Perceptions of the environmental impacts 107 4.11 Responsible tourism behaviour 110 4.12 Recommending Gabon as a tourism destination to friends and 114 relatives 4.13 The intention to revisit Gabon (in the case of foreign visitors) / 114 host city 4.14 Summary 116 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY 5.1 Introduction 117 5.2 Objectives revisited 117 5.2.1 Conclusion in terms of objective one 118 5.2.2 Conclusion in terms of objective two 118 5.2.3 Conclusion in terms of objective three 119 5.2.4 Conclusion in terms of objective four 119 viii 5.2.5 Conclusion in terms of objective five 119 5.3 Recommendations 120 5.4 Limitations of the study 121 5.5 Future research 122 5.6 Concluding remarks 123 REFERENCES 123 ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure 3.1: Map of Gabon 63 Figure 3.2: Amitié Sino-gabonaise Stadium, Libreville 65