Research Projects
Driving innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable practices across various aspects of tourism in South Africa.
14
Current Projects
Actively registered
5
Postdoctoral Projects
Advanced research
15
Completed Projects
Successfully delivered
7
Research Outputs
SDG-aligned publications
Research Project Objectives
These allocations ensure that each research project aligns with the objectives of the Centre.
Advance Innovative Research
Cutting-edge studies advancing tourism knowledge and practices
Promote Capacity Building through Training
Comprehensive training programs for industry professionals
Enhance Capacity Building through SLPs
Short Learning Programmes for specialized skill development
Foster Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism
Promoting environmentally and socially conscious tourism practices
Empower Local Communities
Engaging stakeholders to participate in and benefit from tourism
Lead in Thought & Practice
Pioneering a dynamic and equitable tourism future
Project Documentation
Access our detailed project documentation including membership information, current initiatives, and completed research.
CSTI Membership
View our current core membership, affiliate members, visiting professors, and advisory board.
Current Projects
Explore our 6 active research initiatives currently making an impact in sustainable tourism.
Completed Projects
Review our 9 successfully completed research projects and their outcomes.
Registered Current Research Projects
Our 14 currently registered research projects driving innovation across tourism in South Africa.
An intersectional examination of pride attendance motivations in South Africa
Project Leads: Prof Hermann
Sustainable travel through the eyes of tourism students: A value-based analysis
Project Leads: Dr Naudé Potgieter
Adventure tourism entrepreneurship in Mpumalanga: opportunity identification and the role of knowledge and innovation
Project Leads: Dr L Grobbelaar
Work Readiness of Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, a critical analysis
Project Leads: Prof UP Hermann, Dr LC Welthagen and Mr R Marcus
Bridging the gap between the event industry and graduates at a university of technology
Project Leads: Dr L Welthagen
Tourism Students' Perspectives on Sustainable Travel and the influence of personal values on their behaviour
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
Understanding Crowd Management Practices at Large Scale Events: A South African Perspective
Project Leads: Dr L Welthagen
Casino students and their opinion of the three-year course: a longitudinal study
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
Exploring the motivations of parkrun tourists in South Africa
Project Leads: Dr S Bouwer
Exploring motivations for volunteering at parkruns in South Africa
Project Leads: Dr S Bouwer
Reassessing the landscape for undergraduate event qualifications in South Africa
Project Leads: Dr L Welthagen, Prof UP Hermann and Mr R Marcus
Exploring the motivations of SANParks Honorary Rangers
Project Leads: Dr Bouwer
Triland Project
Project Leads: L Grobbelaar
Optimizing the Tourism Management Curriculum at the University of Technology: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Project Leads: Dr PPS Sifolo and Dr BM Ntshabeleng
| # | Project Title | Project Leads |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | An intersectional examination of pride attendance motivations in South Africa | Prof Hermann |
| 02 | Sustainable travel through the eyes of tourism students: A value-based analysis | Dr Naudé Potgieter |
| 03 | Adventure tourism entrepreneurship in Mpumalanga: opportunity identification and the role of knowledge and innovation | Dr L Grobbelaar |
| 04 | Work Readiness of Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, a critical analysis | Prof UP Hermann, Dr LC Welthagen and Mr R Marcus |
| 05 | Bridging the gap between the event industry and graduates at a university of technology | Dr L Welthagen |
| 06 | Tourism Students' Perspectives on Sustainable Travel and the influence of personal values on their behaviour | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter |
| 07 | Understanding Crowd Management Practices at Large Scale Events: A South African Perspective | Dr L Welthagen |
| 08 | Casino students and their opinion of the three-year course: a longitudinal study | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter |
| 09 | Exploring the motivations of parkrun tourists in South Africa | Dr S Bouwer |
| 10 | Exploring motivations for volunteering at parkruns in South Africa | Dr S Bouwer |
| 11 | Reassessing the landscape for undergraduate event qualifications in South Africa | Dr L Welthagen, Prof UP Hermann and Mr R Marcus |
| 12 | Exploring the motivations of SANParks Honorary Rangers | Dr Bouwer |
| 13 | Triland Project | L Grobbelaar |
| 14 | Optimizing the Tourism Management Curriculum at the University of Technology: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach | Dr PPS Sifolo and Dr BM Ntshabeleng |
Showing 14 registered research projects
Postdoctoral Research Projects
Advanced research initiatives led by our postdoctoral fellows, exploring cutting-edge topics in tourism.
Virtual Reality and Tourism: How does virtual reality influence experiences through a post-humanist lens?
Project Lead: Dr Verkerk
The Tall and the Short of It: Height Matters in Tourism
Investigating digital leadership capabilities and sustainable transformation of small to medium tourism enterprises in South Africa
Project Lead: Dr N Ndlovu
Assessing the digital procurement impact practices on supply chain resilience and inclusivity in the Sub-Saharan African tourism sector: A case of South Africa and Cameroon
Project Lead: Dr Achu
Visitors' sentiments of the perceived barriers to responsible behavioural practices in the Kruger National Park
Project Lead: Dr M Kuseni
| # | Project Title | Project Lead |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Virtual Reality and Tourism: How does virtual reality influence experiences through a post-humanist lens? | Dr Verkerk |
| 02 | The Tall and the Short of It: Height Matters in Tourism | — |
| 03 | Investigating digital leadership capabilities and sustainable transformation of small to medium tourism enterprises in South Africa | Dr N Ndlovu |
| 04 | Assessing the digital procurement impact practices on supply chain resilience and inclusivity in the Sub-Saharan African tourism sector: A case of South Africa and Cameroon | Dr Achu |
| 05 | Visitors' sentiments of the perceived barriers to responsible behavioural practices in the Kruger National Park | Dr M Kuseni |
Showing 5 postdoctoral research projects
Research Outputs
Recent publications and conference proceedings aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Allkins, M.E., Chauke, T.J. and Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Delivering Extraordinary Adventure Experiences During the "Chthulucene": Circular Economy Challenges and Digital Solutions for the Environmentally Conscious Visitor. Sustainability, 17(2), p.627
Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. An investigation of perceived situational factors influencing responsible tourist consumption behaviours in the Kruger National Park. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, p.100931.
Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. From iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Tourism in Rural Protected Areas: Trends and Opportunities in Southern Africa, p.87.
Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. Visitor Participation in Deviant Leisure Practices in a South African National Park. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2), p.53
Ndlovu, N., Sifolo, P.P.S. and Tshipala, N., 2025. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Nexus between Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural Small, Micro, and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMMTEs). Studia Periegetica, 47(1), pp.2067-2067.
Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2025. Change the bets! Is problem gamblers' gambling behaviour different since Covid-19? Paper presented at the AHTMM2025 Conference, Faro, Portugal.
Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Transformative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Digitalisation in the Tourism Supply Network: Enhancing Resilience and Collaboration in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
| # | SDG Alignment | Type | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Journal Article | Allkins, M.E., Chauke, T.J. and Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Delivering Extraordinary Adventure Experiences During the "Chthulucene": Circular Economy Challenges and Digital Solutions for the Environmentally Conscious Visitor. Sustainability, 17(2), p.627 |
| 02 | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Journal Article | Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. An investigation of perceived situational factors influencing responsible tourist consumption behaviours in the Kruger National Park. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, p.100931. |
| 03 | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Book Chapter | Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. From iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Tourism in Rural Protected Areas: Trends and Opportunities in Southern Africa, p.87. |
| 04 | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Journal Article | Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. Visitor Participation in Deviant Leisure Practices in a South African National Park. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2), p.53 |
| 05 | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | Journal Article | Ndlovu, N., Sifolo, P.P.S. and Tshipala, N., 2025. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Nexus between Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural Small, Micro, and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMMTEs). Studia Periegetica, 47(1), pp.2067-2067. |
| 06 | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Conference Proceedings | Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2025. Change the bets! Is problem gamblers' gambling behaviour different since Covid-19? Paper presented at the AHTMM2025 Conference, Faro, Portugal. |
| 07 | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | Journal Article | Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Transformative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Digitalisation in the Tourism Supply Network: Enhancing Resilience and Collaboration in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. |
Showing 7 research outputs
Completed Projects
A comprehensive overview of our successfully completed research projects and their impact on the tourism industry.
Service quality at national botanical gardens (SANBI) - 2019
Project Leads: Prof UP Herman and Dr SC Bouwer
- Technical Reports for SANBI:
- • Bouwer, S.C. & Hermann, U.P. 2019. Visitor profile of visitors to the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens.
- • Hermann, U.P. & Bouwer, S.C. 2020. Visitor profile of the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.
- Article:
- • Hermann, U.P & Bouwer, S.C. 2023. Motives to Visit Urban Ecotourism Sites: A Study of A Botanical Garden in South Africa. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 2(66): 564-575.
Sustainable supply chain management practices on tourism operational performance in South Africa 2018-2019
Project Leads: Dr PPS Sifolo
- Articles:
- • Molefe, L.P., et al., 2018. The effects of tourism supply chain management practices on tourism operations in Pretoria. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(2), pp.1-12.
- • Sifolo, P.P., et al., 2019. Investigating the supply chain drivers and barriers in the tourism industry in Pretoria. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, 13, p.8.
- • 1 Conference Presentation: DaNang
- • 4 lecturers involved and 15 B-Tech students graduated
South African problem gamblers' gambling behaviour after Covid-19 - 2021
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
- Technical report:
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. South African Problem Gamblers gambling behaviour post Covid-19.
- Conference paper:
- • Paper to be presented at the AHTMM conference in 2025.
The multifunctional E-Sports venue, a place to learn and a place to play: A case study - 2022
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
- Technical report:
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. eSports event – Parents feedback.
- • Mahlangu, N. and Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2024. The Growing Popularity of eSports Events: Insights from Parents. In ENTER e-Tourism Conference (pp. 218-227).
The impact of Covid19 pandemic on tourism SMME's - Probable innovations, interventions and change in policy - 2022
Project Leads: Prof NN Tshipala and Ms J Mangwane
- • The Covid 19 pandemic and the tourism accommodation subsector: impacts, suggestions and experiences (EURREC, 4th Open Scientific Conference, Athens)
Work Readiness of Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, a critical analysis – 2023
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
- • Paper currently under review with the Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability
Delineating the motivation and expectations of South African eSports event participants and spectators - 2023
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
- Technical report:
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. eSports event – Parents feedback.
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2024. A Needs Analysis of Mothers Travelling with Their Families in South Africa. In Recent Advancements in Tourism Business, Technology and Social Sciences.
An analysis of a South African eSports event and the opportunities for the Tourism industry - 2023
Project Leads: Dr R Naudé-Potgieter
- • MSSA Management decided against study being conducted
Visitor expectations and perceptions at a heritage site within a South African National park
Project Leads: UP Hermann
- Conference papers:
- • Hermann, U.P. & Cilliers, C.D. 2022. Exploring the perceived experiences of visitors to a natural history museum in the Kruger National Park. SAIMS Conference.
- • Naude-Potgieter, R. & Hermann, U.P. 2022. Visitor expectations and experiences at a museum in the Kruger National Park. SAIMS Conference.
- Articles:
- • Hermann, U.P. & Nemaorani, TM. 2023. Determination of visitors' intentions to revisit a natural history museum in a national park. Koedoe, 65(1).
- • Hermann, U.P., et al. 2024. Antecedents of visitor satisfaction and post-visit intentions at museum in the Kruger National Park. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
Digitalisation of the supply chain of tourism SMMEs: a transformative transdisciplinary approach 2022-2025
Project Leads: Dr PPS Sifolo
- Conference papers:
- • Sifolo, P.P.S., et al., 2024. The role of digitalisation among entrepreneurs operating within the tourism value chain. Mbali International Conference 2024.
- • Sifolo, P.P.S. and Sokhela, P.N., 2023. Digital transformative journey for tourism micro-entrepreneurs in a developing context.
- Articles:
- • Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Transformative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Digitalisation in the Tourism Supply Network. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2).
- • Allkins, M.E., et al., 2025. Delivering Extraordinary Adventure Experiences During the "Chthulucene". Sustainability, 17(2).
- • Sifolo, P.P.S., 2024. Exploring entrepreneurial sustainability in a tourism practice. South African Journal of Higher Education, 38(5).
- • Sifolo, P.P.S., 2023. Exploring digitalisation within the tourism supply chain network. IJEBD, 6(3).
Responsible tourist consumption behaviours research
Project Leads: Prof UP Hermann and Dr M Kuseni
- • Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. An investigation of perceived situational factors influencing responsible tourist consumption behaviours in the Kruger National Park. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators.
- • Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. from iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Tourism in Rural Protected Areas.
- • Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. Visitor Participation in Deviant Leisure Practices in a South African National Park. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2).
Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural SMMTEs
Project Leads: Dr Ndlovu, Dr PPS Sifolo and Prof NN Tshipala
- Article:
- • Ndlovu, N., Sifolo, P.P.S. and Tshipala, N., 2025. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Nexus between Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural Small, Micro, and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMMTEs). Studia Periegetica, 47(1).
Problem gamblers' gambling behaviour research
Project Leads: Dr R. Naudé-Potgieter
- Article:
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2025. Change the bets! Is problem gamblers' gambling behaviour different since covid-19?
- Conference attendance:
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2025. The rise of LPMs in South Africa. IBC2025 Conference, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
- • Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2025. Change the bets! AHTMM2025 Conference, Faro, Portugal.
Bridging the gap between the event industry and graduates at a university of technology
Project Leads: Dr L. Welthagen
- Conference presentation:
- • 2025 - 12TH Advances in Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing. June 30 – 04 July 2025. Algarve, Portugal. "Understanding Crowd Management Practices at Large Scale Events: A South African Perspective"
Conferences hosted
Project Leads: CSTI
- • Africa's First International Adventure Conference spotlighting industry in South Africa
- • Link: https://tut.ac.za/latest-news/351-africas-first-international-adventure-conference-spotlights-industry-in-south-africa
| # | Project Title | Project Leads | Research Impact & Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Service quality at national botanical gardens (SANBI) - 2019 | Prof UP Herman and Dr SC Bouwer | Technical Reports for SANBI: Bouwer, S.C. & Hermann, U.P. 2019. Visitor profile of visitors to the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens. Hermann, U.P. & Bouwer, S.C. 2020. Visitor profile of the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. Article: Hermann, U.P & Bouwer, S.C. 2023. Motives to Visit Urban Ecotourism Sites: A Study of A Botanical Garden in South Africa. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 2(66): 564-575. |
| 02 | Sustainable supply chain management practices on tourism operational performance in South Africa 2018-2019 | Dr PPS Sifolo | Articles: Molefe, L.P., et al., 2018. The effects of tourism supply chain management practices on tourism operations in Pretoria. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(2), pp.1-12. Sifolo, P.P., et al., 2019. Investigating the supply chain drivers and barriers in the tourism industry in Pretoria. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, 13, p.8. 1 Conference Presentation: DaNang 4 lecturers involved and 15 B-Tech students graduated |
| 03 | South African problem gamblers' gambling behaviour after Covid-19 - 2021 | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter | Technical report: Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. South African Problem Gamblers gambling behaviour post Covid-19. Conference paper: Paper to be presented at the AHTMM conference in 2025. |
| 04 | The multifunctional E-Sports venue, a place to learn and a place to play: A case study - 2022 | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter | Technical report: Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. eSports event – Parents feedback. Mahlangu, N. and Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2024. The Growing Popularity of eSports Events: Insights from Parents. In ENTER e-Tourism Conference (pp. 218-227). |
| 05 | The impact of Covid19 pandemic on tourism SMME's - Probable innovations, interventions and change in policy - 2022 | Prof NN Tshipala and Ms J Mangwane | The Covid 19 pandemic and the tourism accommodation subsector: impacts, suggestions and experiences (EURREC, 4th Open Scientific Conference, Athens) |
| 06 | Work Readiness of Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, a critical analysis – 2023 | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter | Paper currently under review with the Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability |
| 07 | Delineating the motivation and expectations of South African eSports event participants and spectators - 2023 | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter | Technical report: Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2023. eSports event – Parents feedback. Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2024. A Needs Analysis of Mothers Travelling with Their Families in South Africa. In Recent Advancements in Tourism Business, Technology and Social Sciences. |
| 08 | An analysis of a South African eSports event and the opportunities for the Tourism industry - 2023 | Dr R Naudé-Potgieter | MSSA Management decided against study being conducted |
| 09 | Visitor expectations and perceptions at a heritage site within a South African National park | UP Hermann | Conference papers: Hermann, U.P. & Cilliers, C.D. 2022. Exploring the perceived experiences of visitors to a natural history museum in the Kruger National Park. SAIMS Conference. Naude-Potgieter, R. & Hermann, U.P. 2022. Visitor expectations and experiences at a museum in the Kruger National Park. SAIMS Conference. Articles: Hermann, U.P. & Nemaorani, TM. 2023. Determination of visitors' intentions to revisit a natural history museum in a national park. Koedoe, 65(1). Hermann, U.P., et al. 2024. Antecedents of visitor satisfaction and post-visit intentions at museum in the Kruger National Park. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. |
| 10 | Digitalisation of the supply chain of tourism SMMEs: a transformative transdisciplinary approach 2022-2025 | Dr PPS Sifolo | Conference papers: Sifolo, P.P.S., et al., 2024. The role of digitalisation among entrepreneurs operating within the tourism value chain. Mbali International Conference 2024. Sifolo, P.P.S. and Sokhela, P.N., 2023. Digital transformative journey for tourism micro-entrepreneurs in a developing context. Articles: Sifolo, P.P.S., 2025. Transformative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Digitalisation in the Tourism Supply Network. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2). Allkins, M.E., et al., 2025. Delivering Extraordinary Adventure Experiences During the "Chthulucene". Sustainability, 17(2). Sifolo, P.P.S., 2024. Exploring entrepreneurial sustainability in a tourism practice. South African Journal of Higher Education, 38(5). Sifolo, P.P.S., 2023. Exploring digitalisation within the tourism supply chain network. IJEBD, 6(3). |
| 11 | Responsible tourist consumption behaviours research | Prof UP Hermann and Dr M Kuseni | Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. An investigation of perceived situational factors influencing responsible tourist consumption behaviours in the Kruger National Park. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators. Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. from iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Tourism in Rural Protected Areas. Kuseni, M. and Hermann, U.P., 2025. Visitor Participation in Deviant Leisure Practices in a South African National Park. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2). |
| 12 | Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural SMMTEs | Dr Ndlovu, Dr PPS Sifolo and Prof NN Tshipala | Article: Ndlovu, N., Sifolo, P.P.S. and Tshipala, N., 2025. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Nexus between Digitalisation and Sustainability in Rural Small, Micro, and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMMTEs). Studia Periegetica, 47(1). |
| 13 | Problem gamblers' gambling behaviour research | Dr R. Naudé-Potgieter | Article: Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2025. Change the bets! Is problem gamblers' gambling behaviour different since covid-19? Conference attendance: Naudé-Potgieter, R., 2025. The rise of LPMs in South Africa. IBC2025 Conference, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Naudé-Potgieter, R. 2025. Change the bets! AHTMM2025 Conference, Faro, Portugal. |
| 14 | Bridging the gap between the event industry and graduates at a university of technology | Dr L. Welthagen | Conference presentation: 2025 - 12TH Advances in Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing. June 30 – 04 July 2025. Algarve, Portugal. "Understanding Crowd Management Practices at Large Scale Events: A South African Perspective" |
| 15 | Conferences hosted | CSTI | Africa's First International Adventure Conference spotlighting industry in South Africa Link: https://tut.ac.za/latest-news/351-africas-first-international-adventure-conference-spotlights-industry-in-south-africa |
Showing 15 completed research projects