Developing Tea Tourism in the Global South

Abstract

Tea tourism has emerged as a new niche market for many Africa tourism destinations using the abundant tea plantations and estates. Tea is one of the top three major beverages enjoyed worldwide. The many tea plantations provide an available resource to develop tea tourism in countries that are already major African tourism destinations. The production of tea is an agricultural sector, and the abundance of tea estates creates a fertile ground to develop tea tourism in both Kenya and South Africa located in the Global South. Tea tourism has emerged as a sustainable niche market that is yet to be exploited on the African continent. The chapter undertakes a case study research approach. Tea tourism has emerged as a new niche market for many of Africa’s tea estates and plantations and is developing an alternative revenue stream in terms of tea tourism and on-site sale. In addition, tea tourism helped to diversify agriculture in addition to creating a new niche tourism market. The research adds to the paucity of tourism gaze on tea tourism, which is a growing niche area. The research would unpack the benefits of tea tourism to assist policymakers and tourism entrepreneurs on the benefits of tea tourism.