The Toursim Industry in South Africa - 1800 Words

The tourism industry is a vast growing trade that in recent years has seen a significant increase in its contribution to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of various respective countries. South Africa is one of the countries that have witnessed tremendous growth in its tourism industry.As much as such development is a very welcomed phenomenon for any country, growth and development is limited by a number of constraints. Of importance to this particular study is the issue of seasonality in the tourism industry. Seasonality is defined as the fluctuation of situations that has a direct effect on one or more variables. (McCarthy 1994:275).According to an article by strathprints journals (www.stathprints/journals, 25 April) seasonality in tourism has traditionally been regarded as a major problem which needs to be overcome, but relatively little research has been conducted on the patterns or causes of this phenomenon. The question this study aims to unfold is: What effect does the seasonal nature of the tourism industry have on the providers of components of the tourism industry, as well as on unemployment in Mbombela? The aims and objectives of the study are: †¢ To investigate the negative effects seasonality has on the tourism industry in Mbombela. †¢ To highlight the differences in the rates of employment associated with different points within the seasonal cycle. †¢ To highlight the internal changes enforced by service providers in the tourism industry as a result of