Can information technology enable equitable prosperity in South Africa?

Most destination communities remain relegated to the role of passive “tourees” who are unable to participate in economic opportunities often controlled by tourism retail monopolies.  In a recently published manuscript in the African Journal of Information Systems, Payton et al report that micro-entrepreneurs in rural and peri-urban South Africa demonstrated deep interest in increasing their involvement in the tourism industry but they had limited access to tourist markets.  They used their cellphones extensively in their business activity connecting with proximal suppliers and customers and would be ready to use these devices to connect with business partners in tourism industry's formal sector, as well as to connect directly with tourists through a frugal web2cell platform like People-First Tourism.

The South African government has identified the development of micro and small tourism enterprises as a critical strategy to promote equitable and sustainable  rural development.  P1T is becoming increasingly connected with South African partners (e.g., Wits University's Knowledge Hub for Rural Development, Buffelshoeck Trust) to advance this effort.  Stay tuned on forthcoming research and impacts stemming from these promising glocal partnerships.

Duarte B. Morais
Lead In[ve]stigator, People-First Tourism research project
Associate Professor, Equitable and Sustainable Tourism
NC State