Prospects for tourism as a catalyst for development in South Africa

Abstract

The potential for tourism to contribute to development in South Africa has been enthusiastically embraced by the government and by many scholars. This article examines tourism from two perspectives 'Tourism First' and 'Development First' and tries to reconcile each of these modes with developmental dictates. A number of obstacles to the realisation of the developmental potential of tourism are identified. The inherent tensions between traditionalism and tourism, as an expression of modernity, are explored. It is concluded that, although the tourism industry is an excellent generator of positive economic multipliers, it does not readily lend itself to functioning as a 'lead sector' for development.