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Urban Tourism in Bloemfontein: Current Dynamics, Immediate Challenges and Future Prospects

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Abstract

In South Africa, there is a paucity of research focused on urban tourism. The small body of research focused on South Africa’s urban places as tourist destinations is mainly concerned with urban tourism in the country’s metropolitan areas. Secondary cities, such as Bloemfontein, have received scant research attention. In the context of such research neglect, the paper focuses on the urban tourism system of Bloemfontein. Drawing on both survey material and secondary data sources, the investigation provides an outline of the Bloemfontein tourism economy. Particular attention is given to different tourism types and their spatial distribution. Thereafter, an overview of obstacles to various tourism development as experienced by product providers is given and potential support mechanisms detailed. Finally, a tourism development strategy is set out.

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Notes

  1. For an indepth analysis of this investigation, see Visser (2005) and Visser and Kotze (2006).

  2. This includes bed-and-breakfast establishments.

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Acknowledgment

Thanks are due to Patricia Maya for administering the questionnaire survey and Ronnie Donaldson for the extensive commentary on an earlier draft of the paper. The usual disclaimers apply.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of the Free Sate, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Gustav Visser

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  1. Gustav Visser
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Correspondence to Gustav Visser.

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Visser, G. Urban Tourism in Bloemfontein: Current Dynamics, Immediate Challenges and Future Prospects. Urban Forum 18, 351–370 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-007-9018-1

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