The Role of Sport Tourism in the Economic Activity of Mafikeng

Abstract

This study assesses the role of sport tourism in the economic activity of Mafikeng. More especially the analysis focuses on the socio-economic impact/benefit of sport tourism for a city like Mafikeng. The primary objective of the study was to assess and identify the differences sport tourism could make as a developmental factor in the socio-economic impact of Mafikeng. The study also focused on the following specific objectives: To examine the importance of sport and tourism in Mafikeng; To investigate whether sport and tourism can help Mafikeng become viable socially and economically; To find out what facilities are needed in Mafikeng to attract a high influx of sport tourists; The study sought to answer the following research questions: Does sport tourism have an impact on the role of the socioeconomic activity of Mafikeng? Will sport tourism help alleviate the economic problem in Mafikeng? Can the sport tourism facilities available in Mafikeng help host a mega-event or small event? Are the current sport tourism facilities being used effectively? The data collected was subjected to quantitative analysis. A questionnaire was developed and used as a data collection instrument. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed and hundred and fifty one questionnaires were completed and returned. Simple random sampling technique was employed for data collection. The number of 108 returned questionnaires was deemed sufficient sample size of presentation. The study revealed that there was a positive correlation between environmental concerns and other variables like age and citizenship, indicating that environmental concerns were true. Results revealed a positive correlation between infrastructure concerns and other variables like citizenship and length of service indicating that infrastructure concerns were true. Other results revealed a correlation between sport tourism facilities concerns and the age of respondents. Other facility concerns included the correlation between maintenance and qualifications. There was a correlation between the lack of marketing and location of respondents.