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Tour operators and government need to be committed for the long run in order to develop rural tourism products that show sustained success.
Speaking at this year’s Local Government Tourism Conference, Dave Martin, Project Manager: Bulungula Incubator, highlighted the important roles both government and operators play in rural tourism development. Martin explained that operators wishing to enter rural tourism development needed to be in for the long-run. The community needed to make up the bulk of the staff with the intention to train, equip and hand the management of the product over to them. Sufficient management skills transfer to the community would take at least 10 years, added Martin.
If the community is willing to be trained and develop the product, it then falls on local municipalities to aid in its success. Martin encouraged local municipalities present at the conference to support community-based tourism initiatives by making sure there was clean running water, electricity, and adequate road accessibility. “Each missing service increases the chances of failure,” said Martin.
There exists a lot of opportunity for operators wishing to enter this market, which not only serves as a mechanism for job creation but also feeds into changing desires of tourists. Martin said tourists were beginning to look more and more to authentic cultural experiences and were not just after a standard village tour. “Life in the village is wonderful and we need to sell that,” he said.
Martin provided delegates with advice for investing in these communities. Land issues need to be resolved in advance; ensure road access; invite external investors to partner with local communities; practise due diligence in communities, and create jobs for locals. “It’s almost impossible for communities and government to start successful businesses on their own,” said Martin, encouraging tourism players to get involved.
Sоurсе: tourismupdate.co.za
