In the above scenario, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and Tourism would like to invest in a tourism development project at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Sedibeng, Southern Gauteng.

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is a protected area which offers environmental education, outdoor recreation services, cultural-historical services and self-catering accommodation (in the form of basic huts on the hiking trails).

It is positioned for nature-based tourism, which has declined in the past number of years.

The Gauteng government would like to develop the following:

1. Renovation, upgrading and maintenance of visitor facilities.

2. Development of accommodation: chalets and a caravan park.

3. Conference and catering facilities.

4. Waterpark with indoor and outdoor pools.

5. Restaurants and picnic areas.

Starting with the brief given above, you will have to do proper research on the destination, the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.

Using your theory in your textbook and your research, you will be considering certain aspects of tourism development, how to comply with the above brief and how you would develop the destination in line with the requirements.

Question 1 (Marks: 20) 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 tourism demand has declined in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve over the past few years.

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 Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and why you think the demand has declined. (10)

Question 2 (Marks: 20)
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 Sedibeng 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 Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve to better formulate your answer. (10)

Question 3 (Marks: 10)

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 Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, e.g., hiking trails as well as the attractions that the Gauteng Government wants to build in the destination. Make a list of five suitable attractions for the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and indicate the type of attraction each one is.

Question 4 (Marks: 15)

The brief states that the development project should include chalets and a caravan park.

Q.4.1 Refer to the types of accommodation in your textbook; suggest two other forms of accommodation most suitable for Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and state the reasons for your choices.

Tip: Remember that the project already wants to include chalets and a caravan park. (4)

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 five practical tips to the developers of the accommodation in Suikerbosrand
Nature Reserve to minimise the negative effects on the environment and achieve environmental sustainability. (5)

Question 5 (Marks: 20) Intermediaries form the link between the tourism products and services and the tourist. The intermediaries provide information about tourism products to tourists and serve as a sales outlet for tourism producers.

Q.5.1 Distinguish between direct and indirect distribution. (10)

Q.5.2 Refer to the following table:  (10)

Distribution channels

• Direct booking

• Online packaging

• Package booking

• Corporate booking

• Direct booking

• Third party

Key Distribution intermediaries

• Online portals

• Lead tour operators

• Inbound tour operators

• DMCs

• TMCs

• GDS

• Hotel companies

• Convention bureaus

• Convention specialists

• TMC partners/affiliates

Identity of lead global distribution intermediaries

• Online portals: Expedia, Priceline

• Global tour operators: TUI AG, Thomas Cook, JTB Corp

• TMCs: American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, HRG, BCD

• GDS: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport

• Convention specialists: Publicis Live, HelmsBriscoe, etc.

• Conference associations: ICCA

Suggest any two different types of intermediaries that you would use for the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. Give an example of each and the reasons for your answer.

Marks will be awarded as follows:

Example: Using an online booking service such as booking.com as it can reach people all around the world.

Question 6 (Marks: 15)

Q.6.1 Explain any five stakeholders that would be involved in the development project of Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. (10)

Q.6.2 What is meant by “carrying capacity”?

Briefly discuss the term AND suggest two possible negative incidents that could take place at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve if the carrying capacity is exceeded.

Answers to the Above Questions on Tourism Development

Answer 1: An analysis of the given case scenario of Suikerbosrand natural reserve indicates that there are many such factors that are responsible for a direct impact on the growth and demand of tourism across the Reserve. The most significant one is the natural attraction which seems to have a degradation or changes in the ecological features leading to decline in the tourism demand.

Get completed answers on the questions above on tourism demand from the best do my assignment South Africa experts of Student Life Saviour.