Role of Tourism and Place Identity in the Development of Small Towns in the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

A recent study on the growth potential of towns in the Western Cape evaluated the growth potential of 131 towns qualitatively and quantitatively (Van der Merwe et al., Growth potential of towns in the Western Cape, Cape Town, Department of Environmental Affairs and Planning, 2005). Two of the several outcomes of this extensive study were first to index, rank, and categorize the towns according to their development potential and, second, to use these categories of town profiles to develop an investment typology as prescribed in the National Spatial Development Phramework (NSDP). Compared with the provincial mean, 79 (60%) of the towns score negative (‘low’ and ‘Very Low’) development index values, whereas conversely, 16 (12%) towns register ‘high’ and ‘very high’ growth potential index values. Three of the four towns with a ‘very high’ status on both the quantitative and qualitative development ratings are well-known tourism towns (Stellenbosch, George, and Paarl). In other towns (Hermanus, Knysna, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn) with “high” values for growth potential on both indices, tourism also contributes substantially to their local economic development. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize the special role that tourism plays in the growth and development of small towns in the Western Cape. Unfortunately, in some urban centers, unrealistic expectations abound regarding the role that tourism might fulfill as an economic growth mechanism for a town. Although many of the towns in the province possess the resources and attractions to support tourism development, competition is strong. Other prerequisites (tourism infrastructure, potential investors, appropriate services, and skilled labor) are absent from many Western Cape towns. Some of these towns possess a unique place identity, and it will be wise to preserve these towns to qualitatively enrich the province’s small town heritage that will complement tourism development in general and also contribute to economic growth over the long term.