Dr Kamilla Swart, Head of the Centre for Tourism Research in Africa at CPUT, has recently been awarded the Black Business Quarterly (BBQ) Youth Award for Research and Development.

Dr Swart, who is involved in 2010 research projects and initiatives, is among several other South Africans who received awards in various categories at the inaugural BBQ Youth Awards in March.

The awards are an initiative of the BBQ publication, which has been at the forefront of honouring and celebrating the achievements of black businessmen and women in South Africa.

However, this year they have chosen to honour the achievements of the youth (those younger than 40) of South Africa, who against all odds, have made a positive contribution to the country and shown creativity and innovation in their field of expertise.

The awards honoured individuals in several categories, including corporate, civil society, entrepreneur, information communication technologies, government and arts and culture.

Dr Swart, who is a leading expert in Sport Tourism research, was awarded the BBQ Youth Award for the category Research and Development.

Dr Swart, who received her award on 6 March 2009 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, said: “I am elated to be honoured and celebrated in this manner. I have worked hard to make a positive contribution to building our country through my specialist area of sport tourism research.”

“For my accomplishments to be recognised at this juncture, especially with the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ on the horizon, it feels very satisfying,” she said.

Dr Swart said she would not have achieved this without her colleagues and students who have contributed to her success.

Farouk Roberson, a representative on the Black Management Forum (BMF) in the Western Cape Tourism Development Partnership – 2010 Sub Committee, nominated Dr Swart for the award.

Robertson, who serves alongside Dr Swart on the Western Cape Tourism Development Partnership (WCTDP) said: “Her presence in our Committee is always beneficial and meaningful because she has the ability to constructively engage and share her experiences and knowledge as much as she is eager to learn from others.

He said Dr Swart “constantly strives to enhance her skills for the betterment of her students and others within the Tourism sphere.”

“She operates in the international arena with the greatest ease and no fuss at all and is acknowledged by her peers both locally and internationally for the sterling work she does,” he said.

Robertson said this award showcases Dr Swart as a role model for the youth.

“We need people like these from amongst our own with solid credentials to ensure a better future for all in this beautiful country of ours,” he said.

Photo: Dr Kamilla Swart accepts her award from Keabecoe David Motlhoioa, one of the judges of the BBQ Youth Awards.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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“It’s important that CPUT continues to support innovative researchers. This firmly establishes our university as a knowledge resource - not only for our students but for industry and our nation. “ So says Brendon Knott, Senior Lecturer in the Sport Management Department, who was recently invited to present his research before the Tourism Portfolio Committee in Parliament. Knott was joined by CPUT colleague Prof Kamilla Swart of the Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) who also presented at the Tourism Summit.

“Being invited to this summit helped to raise awareness for CPUT’s research profile and specifically links us with applied research that is useful for policy and decision-makers.
It was also an opportunity to showcase some of the relevant and cutting-edge research that CPUT is producing. Prof Swart and I were welcomed and accepted by the Committee and our presentations appeared to be valued”, said Knott.

His presentation was based on his current PhD, which focuses on the nation-branding legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for South Africa. Undertaken through the University of Bournemouth in the United Kingdom, the first part of his fieldwork surveyed 561 international visitors in Cape Town and Durban during last year’s World Cup. Knott wanted to find out what their perceptions of the South African brand were before they arrived in the country, and then, having experienced South Africa first-hand, if and how these perceptions changed. His findings were quite significant, says Knott.  “Many visitors did not have clear perceptions before they came, but now were very positive about certain aspects, such as the natural beauty of the country and the friendliness of South Africans. Most visitors even rated the country as a safe place to visit; where safety was a major concern prior to the event.”

Knott gave the Committee recommendations on the use of future mega-events, and smaller home-grown events which could be used to leverage the nation-branding impact of the 2010 event for the country. He also highlighted the need for greater collaboration and co-ordination between government departments in sharing the responsibility for nation-branding.

When asked what kind of initiatives and partnerships his department currently has with industry, Knott said: “I represented the department in a few group research projects (mostly through CETRA) that helped the City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government with their preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I also attended the Provincial 2010 Technical Committee meetings leading up to the event. Apart from this, the Sport Management Department has strong links with sports federations, including provincial rugby and cricket bodies, football associations and other sport development organisations”.

Knott believes as long as the research focus is current and relevant for industry, then prestigious invitations to speak at and advise Parliament will continue to happen.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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With the latest tourism figures showing that the country had its best tourism season on record last year, it would seem that hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been a boost for South Africa.

Now a major study, led by CPUT, analyzing the socio-economic impact of the event has drawn to a close. The research undertaken by Prof Kamilla Swart and her MTech and DTech students was celebrated at a function at the Granger Bay campus recently, where it was confirmed that the World Cup has undoubtedly shone a positive light on both Cape Town and South Africa.

Swart is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business and heads the Centre for Tourism Research in Africa. She was the Project Manager of the massive undertaking, which saw over seven thousand surveys being conducted over the period of the World Cup, in partnership with the City of Cape Town and the Cape Higher Education Consortium.

Swart praised the hard work of the collaborators, including the City’s Carol Wright, and spoke of the sleepless nights, anxiety and fun that the huge project entailed.

She also spoke of the need for a critical understanding of event impacts on the city. Results indicate that Cape Town and the country were positively profiled, with latest tourism figures backing this up.

With tourism in many other countries on the decline owing to the troubled Euro-zone, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced in Parliament in April that South Africa recorded 3.3% more tourists than in 2010, when growth of 15.1% was achieved.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa recently hosted the 7th International Conference (ICTR) on Tourism Research which served as a vital platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and industry experts from around the world to converge and engage in meaningful dialogue on the multifaceted field of tourism at the iconic Cape Town Hotel School.

The participants came from 22 countries. In person attendance included delegates from Canada, Portugal, Nigeria, Poland, Tanzania, Australia, India, USA, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and South Africa. Virtual attendees included participants from Brazil, Bulgaria, Oman, Italy, Finland, Peru, Vietnam, Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Austria. On the first day, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, provided the welcoming address and said: “Welcome to you…Thank you very much, I am looking forward to the presentations, all the best, please have fun at the same time, enjoy Cape Town. Colleagues online I wish you well as well.”

Dean: Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, opened the second day of the conference, and said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey of exploration, collaboration, and innovation in the realm of tourism. Today's event promises to be a captivating odyssey, as we delve into the multifaceted landscapes of tourism across various streams. Our agenda is thoughtfully curated to offer insights, provoke discussions, and inspire actionable ideas for the advancement of tourism research and practice…

“Thank you for joining us on this exhilarating journey. Let's ignite the flames of discovery and innovation together!” Amongst the keynote speakers were:

• Dr Kamilla Swart, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar: The Future of the Olympic Games - When will it be Africa’s turn?
• Prof Kaitano Dube, Vaal University of Technology: Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tourism and Hospitality Research.
• Prof Ike Ezeuduji, University of Zululand: Bleisure Travel Reimagined: Implications for Research.
• Prof Catheryn Khoo, Torrens University, Australia: Contested HIStory: Representation in HERitage Tourism.

Swart said presenting at the ICTR was a rewarding experience, with valuable exchanges that enriched “my perspective on global tourism trends and research while at the same time highlighting perspectives from the global South”.

The Programme Chair, Dr Chris Hattingh-Niekerk, who is also a Senior Lecturer: Event Management, said the conference sought to foster a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of cutting-edge research, innovative ideas, and best practices in the realm of tourism. Hattingh-Niekerk said through its diverse range of sessions and presentations, this conference aimed “to advance our understanding of the complex dynamics within the tourism industry, explore emerging trends and challenges, and develop sustainable solutions.”

By bringing together a global community of experts, he said the conference not only promoted knowledge dissemination but also facilitated networking opportunities and interdisciplinary collaborations. “Ultimately, the International Conference on Tourism Research played a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism by promoting research-driven insights that can enhance the industry's resilience, sustainability, and positive impact on local communities and economies.”

Throughout the conference, there were vibrant discussions on various topics, including the importance of sustainable tourism practices in mitigating environmental impact, the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences, and strategies for preserving cultural heritage while promoting tourism. Prof Catheryn Khoo from Torrens University in Australia, whose research on “Contested HIStory: representation in HERitage tourism” sparked an interesting debate around how tourism places have traditionally privileged certain men’s (white, heterosexual, masculine) travel experience.

“As the host of the conference, I was particularly struck by the diverse range of perspectives and innovative approaches shared by participants. Witnessing the exchange of ideas and the collective commitment to advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices reinforced the importance of such gatherings in driving positive change within the industry,” Hattingh-Niekerk remarked.

He added that hosting an international conference showcased the FBMS’ commitment to academic excellence. “It demonstrates our institution's ability to convene leading experts, researchers, and scholars from around the world, creating a platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas and research findings.”

Hattingh-Niekerk continued: “The decision to host the 7th ICTR in Cape Town, South Africa, was not only an opportunity to advance The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa and CPUT's academic standing but also a chance to bolster our country's reputation as a leading destination for research, innovation, and sustainable tourism practices.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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