Abstract:
Existing destination competitiveness models do not clearly identify the strategic
relationships between the critical factors and how they can be integrated for sustainable
growth and competitive advantage.
Against this background, this article focuses on the development and testing of a
destination competitiveness model that can be used to identify and integrate critical
success factors for a tourism destination.
The destination competitiveness model that is presented makes provision for the
identification and integration of critical success factors within four strategic perspectives,
namely, sustainable growth, the customer, destination management processes, and
learning and growth.
To test the model, a survey was undertaken among the primary tourism stakeholders in
South Africa involved in attracting and servicing international tourists. This survey
was used to identify critical success factors in the destination management processes that
could have the greatest impact on customer satisfaction and the achievement of
sustainable growth objectives. Specific conclusions are made and key actions
recommended on the basis of the results obtained.
