Religiously Motivated Travel and Rural Tourism in Vhembe District of South Africa

Abstract

The study investigated the socio-economic impact of religious tourism(UAAC gathering) on the local tourism industry and on surrounding ruralcommunities in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) of South Africa.Questionnaires were used to collect data on pilgrims (visitors),businesses, and residents during, and immediately after the event.Statistical techniques were used to analyse the data to gain insightinto the data as basis for answering the research questions posed inthis study. The results revealed that majority of the pilgrims to theUAAC gathering were from the host province of Limpopo. Also, mostpilgrims travel to the pilgrimage site solely for religious reasons.Another significant finding is that the average spending per pilgrim bypilgrims from the rest of South Africa is larger than their Limpopo andforeign pilgrim counterparts. Furthermore, the results showed that whilebusinesses were positive about the pilgrimage's contribution toincreased sales from their businesses, they at the same time opined thatthe event does not generate any additional employment. This could bebecause out of every R100 of pilgrims spending only R2.16 remains in thelocal economy through leakages. Finally an important finding of thestudy is overall consensus among residents that the annual pilgrimagegathering promotes morality, improved socialization as well as a senseof feeling good and proud of their community.