Tourism is a growth sector for many economies and a significant source of employment in South Africa. The economic returns from tourism depend on more than only visitor numbers.
Tourism is a growth sector for many economies and a significant source of employment in South Africa. It is also a sector that rewards strategic thinking. The economic returns from tourism depend not only on visitor numbers but on who visits, how long they stay, what they spend and whether they return.
StratEcon’s work in tourism spans both the rigorous quantification of economic impact and the development of evidence-based strategies for specific tourism programmes and destinations.
StratEcon quantifies the macroeconomic contribution of tourism activity, including direct visitor spending, indirect supply chain effects and induced economic impacts. Our work captures the full value chain of tourism, from air access and accommodation through to cruise liner seasons and events-driven visitor flows, providing the evidence base that tourism agencies, provincial governments and operators need to demonstrate and grow the sector’s impact.
Effective tourism strategy requires an understanding of market characteristics, competitive strengths and the specific offerings that drive visitor behaviour. StratEcon develops economic models and strategies for tourism programmes and destinations, grounded in analysis of market data and aligned to the broader economic development objectives of the relevant province or authority.
Our most prominent ongoing work in tourism is the annual economic contribution assessment of the Western Cape Cruise Liner Industry for Wesgro, which began with the 2022/23 season and has been extended through 2026.
We also assessed Cape Town’s new and additional air routes for Wesgro, quantifying the economic value of expanded air connectivity to the region.
Earlier work includes an assessment of the economic and social impact of attracting the international cruise liner industry to South Africa for the National Department of Tourism, and a tourism strategy model for Cullinan for the Gauteng Tourism Authority.
Tourism economics requires the ability to move between macro-level impact modelling and the granular analysis of specific market segments and visitor flows. StratEcon brings both capabilities together, combining rigorous macroeconomic analysis with practical strategic insight. Our work for Wesgro, the National Department of Tourism and provincial authorities reflects a sustained involvement in South African tourism that provides real depth of market understanding.
StratEcon works with tourism agencies, provincial governments, national departments and private sector operators on tourism economics and strategy across South Africa and Africa. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation introductory discussion.