International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa

The aim of this paper was to determine the significance of international university students as generators of VFR tourism in South Africa. The study adopted a mixed methodology approach to meet the set objectives. Quantitatively, a purposive sampling technique was used to generate 346 valid question...

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Main Authors: Hlonipha Langelihle Bini, Tembi Maloney Tichaawa, Vyasha Harilal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AfricaJournals 2022-12-01
Series:African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_8_11_6_1937-1952.pdf
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author Hlonipha Langelihle Bini
Tembi Maloney Tichaawa
Vyasha Harilal
author_facet Hlonipha Langelihle Bini
Tembi Maloney Tichaawa
Vyasha Harilal
author_sort Hlonipha Langelihle Bini
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this paper was to determine the significance of international university students as generators of VFR tourism in South Africa. The study adopted a mixed methodology approach to meet the set objectives. Quantitatively, a purposive sampling technique was used to generate 346 valid questionnaire survey responses from international students. For the qualitative angle of the study, a total of 7 participants contributed to a focus group discussion. The findings indicate that international students serve a key role in stimulating VFR visits to their study destinations. Many of these are repeat visits and the travel pursuits in which they engage during their stay at the destination. A key recommendation emanating from this paper is centered on the development of efficient promotional and marketing strategies to encourage international student led VFR in the country. Strategies to this end need to be developed and implemented in order to fully leverage the benefits of VRF in South Africa, given the significant role that international students play, as well as in terms of the way in which they influence the travel activities of their visitors.
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spelling doaj.art-176e9c893d94476aa39a9d540ceb24d72022-12-29T07:39:29ZengAfricaJournalsAfrican Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure2223-814X2022-12-0111619371952https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.334International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South AfricaHlonipha Langelihle Bini0Tembi Maloney Tichaawa1Vyasha Harilal2University of Johannesburg, School of Tourism & Hospitality, College of Business and EconomicsUniversity of Johannesburg, School of Tourism & Hospitality, College of Business and EconomicsUniversity of Johannesburg, School of Tourism & Hospitality, College of Business and EconomicsThe aim of this paper was to determine the significance of international university students as generators of VFR tourism in South Africa. The study adopted a mixed methodology approach to meet the set objectives. Quantitatively, a purposive sampling technique was used to generate 346 valid questionnaire survey responses from international students. For the qualitative angle of the study, a total of 7 participants contributed to a focus group discussion. The findings indicate that international students serve a key role in stimulating VFR visits to their study destinations. Many of these are repeat visits and the travel pursuits in which they engage during their stay at the destination. A key recommendation emanating from this paper is centered on the development of efficient promotional and marketing strategies to encourage international student led VFR in the country. Strategies to this end need to be developed and implemented in order to fully leverage the benefits of VRF in South Africa, given the significant role that international students play, as well as in terms of the way in which they influence the travel activities of their visitors.https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_8_11_6_1937-1952.pdfvfr travelinternational studentssouth africa
spellingShingle Hlonipha Langelihle Bini
Tembi Maloney Tichaawa
Vyasha Harilal
International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
vfr travel
international students
south africa
title International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
title_full International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
title_fullStr International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
title_short International Students as Generators of VFR Travel and Tourism in South Africa
title_sort international students as generators of vfr travel and tourism in south africa
topic vfr travel
international students
south africa
url https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_8_11_6_1937-1952.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT hloniphalangelihlebini internationalstudentsasgeneratorsofvfrtravelandtourisminsouthafrica
AT tembimaloneytichaawa internationalstudentsasgeneratorsofvfrtravelandtourisminsouthafrica
AT vyashaharilal internationalstudentsasgeneratorsofvfrtravelandtourisminsouthafrica