Unpacking the true potential of Limpopo's tourism industry

Abstract

A new study has found that tourism in Limpopo contributes significantly to the national and provincial economies of South Africa, with more than 5% to Limpopo's economy and 3% to the national economy. Selma Karuaihe, Nthabiseng Tsoanamatsie, Lebogang Mashile and Maria Molokomme relate the key findings.

The study was compiled by the HSRC with the aim of measuring the actual contribution of the tourism sector, which is not normally measured as a clearly-defined industry but rather treated as a critical economic sector based on the value it adds to other sectors of the economy.

Its objectives included establishing the current composition of the tourism industry in Limpopo; the ways in which tourism contributed to provincial and national economies; the types of available attractions and tourism packages; its B-BBEE compliance; factors that hindered the diversification of tourism; threats to the tourism industry and other potential areas of development.