Title: Perspectives of local role players on the potential and challenges of tourism: a research note presenting the case of a developing region in South Africa

Authors: Chané de Bruyn; Natanya Meyer

Addresses: Centre for Local Economic Development, School of Economics, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa ' DHET-NRF SARChI in Entrepreneurship Education, Department of Business Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa

Abstract: Research shows a lack of information indicating how to incorporate all spheres of local economic development (LED). Government, business and community makes up this sphere and are involved in developing sustainable tourism practices. This study had the objective of determining whether there are any differences in opinion between the three spheres regarding the potential and challenges for tourism to support LED in a region, in this case, the Vaal Triangle in South Africa. A quantitative approach was followed, and data analysis included ANOVA and Tukey HSD to determine statistically significant differences between the three spheres. Only four factors reported a statistically significant difference. These were Location, Infrastructure, Natural and Cultural Sustainability and Cooperation.

Keywords: tourism; LED; local economic development; sustainable development; development strategy; cooperation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2023.130806

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2023 Vol.13 No.3, pp.277 - 284

Received: 15 Feb 2022
Received in revised form: 12 Apr 2022
Accepted: 05 May 2022
Published online: 08 May 2023 *

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