Abstract:
The tourism environment is becoming increasingly competitive, dynamic and impacted by various global
issues. Key factors such as changing consumer preferences, the increasing involvement of host communities,
safety and health concerns, globalisation of the airline industry, technological innovation and environmental
pressures are changing the face of international tourism and by implication are posing new challenges to
tourism destinations in Southern Africa. Against this background, this paper will firstly focus on the potential
role of tourism in addressing one of Southern Africa's key challenges, namely poverty alleviation. Thereafter
the key observations made and lessons learnt from 26 stakeholder-involvement strategic planning processes
that were facilitated for destinations in Southern Africa will be articulated. A sustainable destination
competitiveness model will then be proposed that can be used as frame of reference to enhance Southern
Africa's tourism competitiveness.
