Critical analysis of the recreational facilities at Sun City
Abstract
Tourism is regarded as one of the world's fastest growing industries, the researcher feels
that South Africa is a highly attractive tourist destination, full of promise and potential
and is striving to position itself as a world-class contender within this high-growth global
industry. Many existing and new tourism businesses have expanded, have developed new
products and are becoming increasingly competitive. South Africa is in a position to take
advantage of evolving global market trends in all aspects of tourism but it needs to
consolidate and enhance its economic foundations to realize the full potential. Sun City is
a prime example of the potential South Africa has to recognize needs within the leisure
industry and to fulfill them in a spectacular way.
The research was primarily aimed at analysing the exciting recreational facilities at Sun
City and view which areas are over-utilised and needs expansion or areas which are
under-utilised and needs closure as well as reasons behind how best to keep the tourist
coming in year after year.
The research utilized a three-year history of measured level of business to the resort. The
measurements were conducted on frequency of visits, reason for visit, length of stay and
popular destination visited during their stay (years dating back as 1997).
On analysis of the data, it was found that due to the gambling licenses being legalised in
South Africa, the resort had lost a lot of business. Also due to the large conference venues
being built in other towns like Durban and Johannesburg, the resort has also lost the
corporate clients.
The researcher feels that Sun City can take steps to strengthen the tourism industry by
building stronger economic foundations that will underpin the resorts development. The
following areas need to be address; the marketing and advertising needs to be focused;
new attractions need to be introduced; educating the society surrounding the resort and
potential for growth within company for the employees.