Tourism research plays an integral part in charting a path for sustainable competitiveness in destination management as well as tourism recovery, growth and development. Since 2012, the Department has been collaborating with public universities and research institutions to conduct research in the sector. This collaboration has produced quality research outputs that assist to inform planning, policy, programmes and decision-making to grow and develop the sector.
The Department hosts the Tourism Research Seminar annually to disseminate the research findings and recommendations, exchange and share ideas, and obtain constructive feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. The event also provides a platform for professionals and researchers to network with their peers.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with six (6) public higher education and one (1) research institution to conduct research on various areas that impact the sector. These institutions, namely: University of Pretoria (UP), University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), University of Venda (UNIVEN), North-West University (NWU), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will present research findings and outcomes at the Tourism Research Seminar, focusing on the following areas:
• Travel facilitation and visa requirements
• Digital technology and innovation in the tourism sector
• Sustainability of community-based projects and tourism assets
• Tourism supply value chain
The 2025 Tourism Research Seminar will be hosted in partnership with UP and TUT under the theme “Advancing Tourism Growth, Development and Sustainability through Evidence-Based Research.” Stakeholders and persons interested in tourism are encouraged to attend the virtual seminar as follows:
Date: 24 October 2025
Time: 09h:00 to 15h:00
Venue: University of Pretoria – Hillcrest Campus, Pretoria, Gauteng Province
Meeting ID: 331 225 228 242
Passcode: Ph7TY7QV
Research Topics | Presentations |
TOPIC: Assessing the impact of Visa requirements on travel and tourism demand Institution: North-West University | Click here |
TOPIC: Tourism SMME digital technology adoption in South Africa: pathways for innovation, growth and sustainability
Presenter(s): Prof Tembi Tichaawa, Prof Vyasha Harilal, Dr Mavis Mpotaringa, Mrs Maisa Adinolfi & Dr Refiloe Lekgau
Institution: University of Johannesburg
| Click here
|
TOPIC: Exploring the Digital Technology Adoption Landscape of Niche Tourism Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in South Africa
Presenter(s): Dr PPS Sifolo, Dr LC Welthagen, Dr R Naudé-Potgieter, Mr M Londani Centre for Sustainable Tourism & Innovation
Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
| Click here |
TOPIC: The South African Tourism Supply Value Chain and Its Dynamic Interactions
Presenter(s): Dr Lorren Haywood Project Team: Sihle Matinise, Benita de Wet and Kolobe Chaba Institution: CSIR
| Click here |
TOPIC: Assessing the management, maintenance and sustainability of State-owned Tourism Assets in South Africa
Presenter(s): Prof. Joram Ndlovu, Prof. Oliver Mtapuri, Dr. Mabuyi Gumede, Dr Taemane Phoofolo
Institution: University of KwaZulu-Natal
| Click here |
TOPIC: Factors
determining the success of CBT in South Africa
Institution: University of Venda
| Click here
|
| TOPIC: Optimizing sustainable community-based tourism: South African scenarios and solutions
Presenter(s): Professor K.L. Harris & C.R. Botha
Institution: University of Pretoria
| Click here |