AN ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL OF HOT SPRING TOURISM IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA: A DELPHI STUDY.

Abstract Tourism is regarded as a modern-day engine of growth globally. Considering this, the South African government aims to increase tourism’s contribution, both directly and indirectly to economic growth. The economic growth fallout from COVID-19 affected many industries, including South Africa’s tourism sector. A decline in revenue from domestic (resident) visitors and inbound (non-resident) visitors, exacerbated by stringent travel restrictions, saw a fall in tourism trips, tourism-related expenditure, and employment The purpose of the study was to assess the sustainability of hot spring tourism in Limpopo Province regarding their competitiveness and potential to contribute to the economy of the country. The study employed a Delphi technique which is designed as a group communication process that aims to achieve a convergence of opinion on a specific real-world issue. The research developed a set of appropriate indicators that determines hot spring destination competitiveness. Data were collected through two sets of questionnaires administered and addressed to experts in the Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism, academic staff in the Department of Tourism at the University of Venda, and tourism managers and practitioners in the tourism hot spring sector. From the findings of the study the strategies to make hot spring destinations competitive and sustainable as a tourism activity in the Limpopo Province is not strategized and regarded as of significant importance. Keywords: Sustainability; Tourism; Destinations; Competitiveness and Indicators