Tourism contribution to the Limpopo Provinces economic growth and development: a critical analysis

Abstract

The study is located in Limpopo Province, in the northern part of South Africa. Tourism is seen as an important driver of the economy of Limpopo Province as it provides job opportunities and alleviates poverty. Tourism is an important economic and social activity, bath in the provincial and national economy. The problem facing the province manifests itself by the absence of sustained economic growth and job creation, bath of which are essential to the reduction of poverty and improvement of the living conditions (Limpopo Office of the Premier, 2009:8). With the economy of Limpopo experiencing difficulties, there is a need to look at economic diversification.

The study examines the contribution of tourism to the economic growth and development of Limpopo Province. The argument is that the benefits that flow from tourism should not only reach operators, but also citizens in genera!. The income generated from tourism should contribute towards job creation, poverty alleviation and inequality reduction.

The study uses triangulation, which refers to the collection of data through several sampling strategies (Crowther and Lancaster, 2009:197). Interviews were conducted with tourism product operators, government officials and community members. Through an analysis of responses from interviews and observations, the study makes recommendations.