AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF TOURISM ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICAN PROVINCES: A PANEL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The snail-paced growth of South Africa’s economy has become a major concern. If not addressed, it has the ability of causing a technical recession. Despite this economic epidemic, the researchers contend that the tourism sector has a pivotal starring role to play in alleviating the stagnant economic growth in all the South African provinces. Thus, the aim of the study was to explore the role of tourism on economic growth. In achieving the study`s aim, the study employed a panel regression analysis from 1996-2018. The study outcomes show a positive association among infrastructure index, tourism receipts, number of local, international tourists and economic growth. Therefore, the study recommends that the factors of production be shifted to the tourism industry for high productivity.

Keywords

• tourism
• south africa
• provinces
• panel analysis
• economic growth