Tourism in the New South Africa: Social Responsibility and the Tourist Experience (review)

Tourism, as we all know, is the world's largest industry, and eco-tourism is the fastest growing segment of that industry. It is possible that "community-based" eco-tourism is the fastest growing subset of that segment—"the prefix eco confirms an aura of respectability that is only marginally less admirable than motherhood" (5). Further, South Africa has quickly become what is arguably the most outstanding tourist destination in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it is both timely and important to understand how much tourism has to offer in South Africa's quest for growth with equity. This useful study helps in many ways.

Why was it written? The authors argue that they wrote it, "in the conviction that, despite limitations, eco-tourism can make significant contributions to the welfare of many impoverished rural communities" (4). Yet they concede that "the data offers no evidence that the tourism industry is a 'pro-poor' industry, benefiting past or current members of the poorest paid social groups.... There is no evidence that tourism in any general sense had a major income and wealth redistribution effect on the economy, although the status of some individuals and their families have been fundamentally altered" (15). They could have done more to try to solve this contradiction.

The book begins by providing a background of the importance of tourism in South Africa's economy in general, then moves on to examine eco-tourism specifically in four areas of rural KwaZulu-Natal, in the southeastern part of the country. This province saw the most violence leading up to majority rule, and it is fitting that the study concentrates there, since if KwaZulu Natal can overcome its reputation as a dangerous place to visit, any place can. The authors examine the "tourist experience" by looking at the tourist–host relationship, crime and the fearful tourist, power relations of tourism, the anatomy of a good tourist, and the role of government and community.

Content to examine the important role tourism plays in South Africa's economy, Allen and Brennan acknowledge that they "have not felt obliged to try and solve the problems of tourism development in South Africa, nor to offer advice" (10). This is a pity, since practitioners could use their expertise to avoid some of the mistakes detailed in the study. Perhaps Garth Allen (Frank Brennan, unfortunately, has passed away) will offer a sequel that will help lay out some ideas of how impoverished rural communities could employ eco-tourism in a more significant, positive, and sustaining way.

The book is well written, although some personal anecdotes would have made it livelier. It has a rich and extensive bibliography, useful as a starting place for anyone just beginning to work on this important subject. It is a bit dated in that most of the research took place in 1996, although some continued until April 2002. Nonetheless, this book can be recommended as a good introduction for anyone wanting to learn more about the tourist experience—good and bad—in South Africa.