intsika yethu local municipality - Provincial Spatial Development plan

5.4.4.1 Tourism sector SWOT analysisThis section discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the tourism sectorof Intsika Yethu identified as critical in transforming the local economy. The information below has beenextracted from the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan.Table 30: Tabulation of strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threatsSTRENGTHS Heritage sites Rich political history Availability of human capacity Government supportOPPORTUNITIES Hiking and horse trails Events Fishing opportunities in the major dams (Lubisiand Ncora) Lubisi dam provide opportunities for developmentof water sports R61 Linkages with the liberation routeWEAKNESSES Poor marketing of the area Lack of product development Unavailability of tourism statistics Lack of adequate infrastructure to promotesports and recreation Lack of adequate skills for tourismmanagement, tour guiding, tour operation,sport management and promotion ofcultural activities Limited Access to funds Lack of Infrastructure Lack of Co-ordination & IntegrationTHREATS Crime levels poses a huge threat topotential tourists Global changeThe potential tourism cluster’s to be identified in IYLM will be aimed at improving tourism spread withinthe area. The potential clusters are; Mining Cluster (show casing local mining activities & tours), Eco-Nature Cluster ( enhancing Nature Reserve and surrounding s areas), Cultural, Historical & Politicalcluster and utilization of heritage sites: and Rural Conference facility Cluster (exploiting potential ofconference market, team building exercise venues logistically positioned around Cofimvaba and Tsomo.5.4.4.2 Tourism demandThe demand side of tourism focuses on those needs and motivations that drive individuals to becometourists, how these needs and motivations are shared by other people and how this becomes the basis fordefining tourist segments and markets, and how these tourist segments ultimately drive the movements oftourists from one country and region to the next. Tourists take holidays in the hope that these holidays willsatisfy, either partially or wholly, various needs and desires. It is the task of the marketer to transformneeds into desires by making the individual aware of the various ways in which his or her needs can besatisfied.The following diagram indicates the specific interests of international visitors to South Africa fromEurope, Asia and the USA with regards to tourism.78