Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management

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https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/1954

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    Sustainability of South African Homestays: an integrated approach for Tourism and Hospitality Development
    (2025-05-16) Nethengwe, Tondani; Dafuleya, G.; Mokabe, M.
    This study aimed to develop a framework for enhancing the sustainability of homestays in South Africa, addressing the lack of standardized quality control and certification programs. This absence leads to inconsistent service quality, making it difficult for tourists to set clear expectations. The research assessed the current state of homestays by profiling various types through online surveys, including web pages and social media platforms like Facebook. A case study approach was used to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social factors influencing homestay sustainability. Six homestays (two per province—urban and rural) across three provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal) were selected for in-depth interviews. Surveys were conducted with 120 households near each homestay to examine local community perceptions. The findings revealed the need for government intervention to establish clear policies for regulating homestay standards. This would address inconsistencies and improve service quality and sustainability. The study also emphasized the importance of adopting responsible environmental practices, such as solar energy, sustainable water management, and better waste disposal systems, to mitigate long-term environmental damage. It recommended training programs to encourage sustainable tourism practices among homestay operators. The research further identified the vulnerability of homestays to climate change, particularly in rural, ecologically sensitive areas. Strategies to enhance climate resilience, such as eco-friendly infrastructure and disaster preparedness, were suggested. Additionally, technological challenges were identified, particularly in rural areas where limited access to digital platforms restricts marketing efforts. The study recommended capacity-building initiatives to improve the visibility and profitability of homestays through digital marketing and online platforms. Regarding community perceptions, the study found that local communities generally viewed homestays positively, with no major social or economic changes observed. However, the study suggests further research, including structured surveys targeting various community groups, to assess the broader impacts of homestays on the economy, society, and environment.
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    The impact of social media use on entity performance: a case of Tourist Accomodation Providers in Vhembe District
    (2025-05-16) Ramphedi, Ulendah; Ramukumba, Takalani; Mokabe, Mamotse
    Social media plays a key role in tourism and hospitality, transforming the way tourists search, find and co-create information about travel-related products, and changing the way they make hotel-related decisions online. The use of social media as part of the travel information search activity is becoming the norm. This study aims to find out how the accommodation sector markets its services on social media and how that impacts their performance, as measured by online booking generations.The primary objective is to investigate the impact of social media use on entity performance, focusing on tourism accommodation providers in Vhembe District Municipality. The study followed a quantitative research methodology to attain the set objectives of the study. Probability sampling technique was adopted, and the targeted population was tourist accommodation establishments in the Vhembe District Municipality. A sum of 107 was the targeted sample size of the study, where the establishments sampled were active on social media. The established sample was the accommodations that are operating and have active social media platforms. To analyse the data, simple linear regression analysis was performed for inferential statistics while descriptive statistics was performed to identify the accommodation’s ideal guests, their demographics, interests, and preferences. This process helps accommodation tailor their content to make it appealing. This study concluded that the accommodation industry finds social media more effective, and businesses use it more often to communicate and engage with their followers and customers.