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The principal aim of this article, among other crucial determinants, is to elucidate that folklore systemically can be utilised for the sustainable development of tourism in South Africa and in the global sphere. The sociological perspective, through argumentation, is deployed to debate and demonstrate how and why folklore should be gauged and appreciated as an instrument of promoting South Africa’s socioeconomic and development plan. Through the discussions and findings, it becomes evident, therein, that folklore has not been accorded the opportunity to partake in tourism in most African countries, and in particular, South Africa. Given that, it becomes part of the article’s sociological debates to conclusively demonstrate, by appointing three folklore types, how folklore can address the problematised phenomenon. The concluding remarks challenge folklore and tourism scholars to collaboratively open and continue the discourse to serve the country's just and legitimate course. The significance of the article rests on the veracity that folklore and tourism have not been scholarly positioned as complementing or corroborating components in South Africa and elsewhere in the global sphere.

In the context of cittaslow (slow city), this research attempts to examine the effects of memorable tourism experience (MTE) on tourist satisfaction and revisiting intention. The research used a structured questionnaire and collected 605 valid responses from tourists that visited Sanyi Cittaslow. Analyses of the measurement model and structural model by AMOS 22.0 were used to find the associations between each MTE dimension and satisfaction, and revisit intention. Test results revealed that all MTE dimensions are predictors of tourist satisfaction, among which knowledge and involvement are the strongest predictors; satisfaction is the strongest predictor for revisiting and is the mediator for the associations of most MTE dimensions and revisiting. Since the cittaslow movement was closely related to sustainable tourism, research finding from this research provide a good reference with evidence for the promotion of cittaslow through MTE creation.

This research explores the effectiveness of destination awareness, destination image, perceived quality, and brand engagement on visit intention among TikTok users toward destinations in Yogyakarta. The sample in this research is TikTok users who have seen tourism video content in Yogyakarta. Data was obtained through an online survey constructed with Google Forms which 225 respondents filled out. The data used in this study were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method by SPSS and SmartPLS. According to the research findings, destination awareness and destination image positively impact the perceived quality of TikTok users. Furthermore, perceived quality positively affects the intention to visit and brand engagement for TikTok users. These findings provide implications and empirical studies related to encouraging marketing potential on social media TikTok for visiting the tourism industry in Yogyakarta.

This study examines the effect of authenticity, social media, and destination image on revisit intention. This study uses explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The population in this study were domestic tourists or foreign tourists who had visited tourist destinations in Gianyar at least once. The sampling technique used in the study was purposive sampling. The sample in the study was 250 respondents. Data collection was used through surveys, documentation, and Likert scales to test instruments. The data were analyzed using structural equation model partial least square (SEM-PLS) modeling. The results of this study indicate that authenticity and social media can increase revisit intention. In addition, authenticity and social media can also improve destination image. The destination can also increase revisit intention. Overall destination image) has the most significant influence on destination selection. Destination image can mediate between authenticity and social media on revisit intention. The better the authenticity and utilization of social media in Gianyar tourist destinations, the better the destination image will increase revisit intention.  The results of this study suggest that the management of Gianyar tourism can maintain the authenticity of Gianyar tourist destinations and increase the use of social media to attract tourists to revisit Gianyar tourism.

Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are the key players in the township tourism sector, which contributes substantially to the growth of the economy in South Africa. Township tourism SMMEs are critical to uplifting the rural and township economies. However, they remain marginalized and continue to struggle to be sustainable. The following paper explains how much township tourism SMMEs use to stay sustainable. The paper aims to identify SMMEs involved in township tourism. The paper also aims to establish factors influencing the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs. In addition, the paper also aims to determine the competitive strategy for the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs. The study adopted a positivist research paradigm through a quantitative approach and a survey research design. As a result of having no reliable available sampling frame, a non-probability sampling strategy was adopted, and relevant data was generated through questionnaires. The data was gathered from 61 owners or managers of township tourism SMMEs, in uMlazi, Durban. This paper’s findings revealed that the most influential factors affecting the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs were a lack of funding, strong business competition, and poor business location. The study's findings revealed that only a few entrepreneurs applied a competitive strategy to their businesses. From the data analyzed, relevant recommendations and conclusions were also drawn

The rapid development of immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), presents novel opportunities to enhance tourist experiences and promote sustainable village tourism. This study is particularly significant as Generation Z, as digitally savvy travellers, plays a strategic role in shaping sustainable tourism practices, especially within rural destinations. The research aims to examine the influence of Generation Z’s awareness of immersive technologies on their positive attitudes toward village tourism, visit intentions, and perceptions of the role of immersive technologies in supporting sustainable tourism principles. A quantitative approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 150 Generation Z respondents across various regions who have previously interacted with immersive technologies and plan to visit village tourism destinations. The findings indicate that awareness of immersive technologies significantly enhances positive attitudes toward village tourism, which in turn influences visit intentions and perceptions of immersive technologies’ role in fostering community-oriented sustainable tourism. These results underscore that integrating immersive technologies not only enriches tourist experiences but also supports cultural preservation, local economic empowerment, and sustainable tourism practices. Practically, the findings provide guidance for village tourism managers, policymakers, and stakeholders in designing effective digital strategies to develop community-based sustainable tourism initiatives.

In the wake of the pandemic, countries worldwide have strived to revive their tourism sectors, with Thailand’s industry playing a crucial economic role. Grounded in Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), this study examines key psychological determinants of domestic travel intentions, including threat severity, response efficacy, and psychological resilience. Data from 509 Thai participants were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results reveal that heightened threat perceptions significantly weaken travel intentions, while confidence in protective measures enhances willingness to travel. Psychological resilience mitigates perceived threats and strengthens the effect of response efficacy on travel intention. Surprisingly, anxiety did not significantly impact travel intentions. This study offers a holistic perspective on travelers' cognitive and emotional responses to health crises. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to strengthen public resilience, foster trust in safety measures, and support sustainable recovery in the tourism sector.

MSMEs are widely regarded as important building blocks for economic prosperity and broader social well-being for both developed and developing nations. However, MSMEs face several challenges that impede their ability to fully provide the much-needed boost to the socio-economic development of countries. Tourism MSMEs are often significantly impacted by crises that include economic downturns, natural disasters, and public health emergencies that destroy infrastructure and affect human movement, notably the outbreak of pandemics and epidemics. The Covid-19 pandemic altered every business operation across the globe. This was mainly because the pandemic was new and no reference case for the Covid-19 crisis existed in living memory. As such the survival of all businesses was at high risk, particularly, the tourism MSMEs in South Africa. The industry’s operations were severely affected by the restrictions imposed by the government of South Africa especially in the year 2020 and 2021. Despite operating their businesses in a crisis, the tourism MSMEs entrepreneurs exhibited resilience as they navigated the pandemic, through being agile, adaptive, and exploring new opportunities of operating and utilising government support. It is in this regard that gaining a deeper understanding of the resilience strategies that were employed by the tourism MSMEs during and strategies being employed during post Covid-19 pandemic crisis is of paramount significance. The study adopted qualitative interpretivist approach through document analysis.  Collected data was analysed using the ATLAS.ti.software. The study concludes that even though the Covid-19 had some devastating effects on the MSMEs tourism entrepreneurs, that are still being felt now, it forced the entrepreneurs to adapt and be innovative. It is in this regard that the study concludes that the identified strategies are very vital for the survival of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also concludes that the tourism MSMEs entrepreneurs became more resilient to the pandemic as it progressed hence, they implemented the identified strategies revealed by the study findings.

The tourism industry is a substantial contributor to the South African economy. The main aim of this study is to analyse the tourism industry’s performance during the Covid-19 pandemic, with specific reference to tourism accommodation income, and to shed light on the recovery prospects of the tourism industry and the overall South African economy. The study followed a descriptive research design and quantitative method using secondary data obtained from Statistics South Africa. The data covers a span of over 16 years, from January 2007 to May 2023. Results indicated that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry was marked by a drastic drop in total income at the height of the pandemic, which coincided with similar performance of the overall economy. The tourism industry as well as the overall economy showed a V-shape recovery with a negative trendline suggesting their recovery potential and the need for sustained efforts by industry players and policymakers for full recovery in the medium term. Among the strategies for full recovery are diverse offerings by tourist accommodation providers, intensified digital marketing campaigns and providing exceptional service experiences.

Vietnam's tourism industry has been one of the economy's key growth drivers for years. This study examines the relationship between international tourist arrivals, bilateral trade, and income in Vietnam by applying a cointegration model with the panel data of Vietnam and its major global tourism markets. The results show that export and per capita income significantly influence Vietnam's international tourist arrivals from 2008 to 2019. The study also uses causality techniques to test for the direction of causality and found a two-way causal effect from exports and income to international tourist arrivals. These findings suggest that future economic policy should focus more on tourism and trade-related to sustain the growth of the tourism industry and generate more foreign exchange earnings for Vietnam.