Truly a magnificent sight in gorgeous natural surroundings, Golden Gate Highlands National Park is an example of the spectacular scenery to be found in this part of the North-Eastern Free State.
Dramatic sandstone cliffs, a fine selection of wildlife, a diverse range of plants, spectacular spots for birding, everything rolled into one visually stunning national park.

The name “Golden Gate” stems from the sun’s rays reflected on the gigantic sandstone rocks, resulting in a golden glow which is visible for kilometres on end. These sandstone cliffs, moulded in a variety of wonderfully stunning shapes and forms, are located throughout the park and have become synonymous with this area. They are complemented by vast open grassland plains and the occasional speckles of colourful and blooming flowers like red-hot pokers, lilies and watsonias. A picturesque setting tucked in between the mountains; Golden Gate offers a secluded getaway in paradise.

Instructions

Look at the below proposed Tourism Development Project for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and complete Part 1 and the final Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) assessment.

This PoE is intended to awaken your inner creativity! It will test your ability to apply your knowledge on how to develop a tourism destination! Starting with the brief given above, you will have to do proper research on the destination: the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Using your theory in your textbook and your research, you will be expected to hand in a proposal on how to comply with the above brief and how you would develop the destination in line with the requirements. Part 1 will help you with your research by asking relevant questions to guide you in your development plan.

Think carefully about the topic. It is important that your proposal is linked to the requirements of the brief. You will also be required to reflect on how this development will impact the local community and the environment.

All the best and have fun, be creative and think B.I.G!

Proposed Development Projects:

Development is not considered lightly and is only embarked on to fulfil a real operational need or tourism opportunity. Although the park is not financially sustainable, it has the potential to improve its occupancy and offer additional products to visitors. The current development plan focuses on ways to attract additional visitors to the park. The park’s magnificent landforms are not only aesthetically beautiful but also offer visitors exciting opportunities for exploration and adventure. The focus will be to develop and implement new activities to capitalise on the park’s location, facilities, and natural attractions.

Caution will be exercised when considering any development. The zonation of the park will dictate the location of any development and the implementation of identified projects is dependent on legislation and the availability of funds.

Proposed visitor facility development in the park

Commercial facilities and activities
Upgrade of the Ribbok Hiking Trail (clearing paths, marking of paths, etc.)

Accommodation

Public-private partnerships
Public Private Partnerships is a model that the park management could consider to provide products and activities that fall outside the SANParks tourism-orientated products and services. Should viable opportunities be presented, SANParks will consider the proposals. The park will investigate the following:
– Shuttle services
– Hot Air ballooning

PART 1 (MARKS: 100)

Question 1 (Marks: 25)
Demand for tourism is activated by visitors through the purchase of goods and services associated with the experience. It is important to examine the factors that have the potential to influence tourism demand. We see from the scenario given above that the park is not financially sustainable
but an increase tourism demand can benefit the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

Q.1.1 Determine the key influences on tourism demand. (10)

Q.1.2 Briefly discuss how each of these key influences would have influenced the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and why you think the demand has declined. (10)

Q.1.3 Determine the advantage of conceptualising tourism for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. (5)

Question 2 (Marks: 30)
The challenge with achieving development goals usually arises from different stakeholders prioritising different things. It is important to have clear development goals.

Q.2.1 Identify five tourism goals used by most governments of African countries. (10)

Q.2.2 Relate each of these goals to the development project in Golden Gate Highlands National Park and explain how each of the goals could be used to define the project’s final effect on the local communities and the natural environment of the area.

Tip: Do additional research on the communities surrounding the Golden Gate Highlands National Park to better formulate your answer. (10)

Q.2.3 Identify five reasons for planning for an upgrade or expansion of tourism within the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and how these are applied to the National Park. (10)

Question 3 (Marks: 20)

There are many different types of tourist attractions. Each specific type of attraction falls into one of the two main categories of attractions: natural attractions and man-made attractions.

Look at the attractions already in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, e.g., hiking trails as well as the attractions that SANParks wants to build in the destination.
– Make a list of five suitable attractions for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park
– Indicate the type of attraction each one is.
– Determine how each of these attractions will be developed.

Question 4 (Marks: 25)
The brief states that the development project should include a new camping site and an upgrade
to the Ribbok Hiking trail hut.

Q.4.1 Refer to the types of accommodation in your textbook; suggest four other forms of accommodation most suitable for Golden Gate Highlands National Park and state the reasons for your choices.

Tip: Remember that the project already wants to include a camping site. (8)

Q.4.2 The building of accommodation units can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. Name and briefly discuss the three key areas where the negative impacts of accommodation are most prevalent. (6)

Q.4.3 Suggest practical tips to the developers of the accommodation in Golden Gate Highlands National Park to minimise the negative effects on the environment and achieve environmental sustainability. (11)

Using PART 1 as a source document, write a short development plan for the Golden Gate
Highlands National Park according to the brief given by SANParks.

Use your research on the reserve and your imagination and creativity to come up with brilliant solutions on how to enhance this natural area so that it will grow and have a positive impact on the surrounding economy.
Consider different options, such as mountain bike races as events, creating a Cave hotel, micro gliding etc.
A dinosaur park has endless fun and creative possibilities!

Your document should be between 1 500 and 2 500 words (guide only) and should contain the following headings:

1. Introduction to the destination.
(5)
2. Stakeholders. (5)
3. Proposal for renovation and upgrading of existing visitor facilities. (10)
4. Proposal for new accommodation. (10)
5. Proposal for a Cave Hotel with conference facilities. (10)
6. Proposal for a dinosaur park. (15)
7. Future drivers of development in the area. (10)
8. Possible challenges. (10)
9. Conclusion. (5)
Marks will also be awarded for:
• Layout and creativity
(10)
• Grammar (5)
• Use of references (5)

Answers to Above Questions on Tourism Development

Answer 1: An analysis on the given case study on Golden Gate Highlands National Park indicates about the key influences on tourism demand. The analysis revealed that it is the natural attractions that make people visit the golden gate National Park. Along with its natural attraction, the cultural significance is also quite important for tourists in selecting this location as their tourism spot.

Get completed answers on the questions above on tourism development from the best do my assignment South Africa experts.