Article: Determining the competitiveness attributes of conference tourism: a South African industry perspective Journal: International Journal of Tourism Policy (IJTP) 2023 Vol.13 No.3 pp.262 - 276 Abstract: This study reports on the qualitative findings of an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design used to develop a framework for conference tourism competitiveness. By using destination competitiveness models and literature as a foundation, it sets out to distinguish the important conference tourism attributes identified by industry stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 22 industry stakeholders (after saturation). The themes and attributes were analysed after each interview and a progression of themes was documented. This paper is the first attempt to investigate the conference attributes in South Africa that are important from a competitiveness perspective. The findings made it clear that location and accessibility were prioritised as conference tourism competitiveness attributes and that sustainability/greening was not prioritised as an important attribute. These findings and conclusions can contribute to developing and improving the conference tourism position of South Africa and enabling South Africa to become more competitive in this sector. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

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Title: Determining the competitiveness attributes of conference tourism: a South African industry perspective

Authors: Lisa Welthagen; Elmarie Slabbert; Engelina Du Plessis

Addresses: Department of Tourism Management, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa ' Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society (TREES), North West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag Z1290, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa ' Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society (TREES), North West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag Z1290, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

Abstract: This study reports on the qualitative findings of an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design used to develop a framework for conference tourism competitiveness. By using destination competitiveness models and literature as a foundation, it sets out to distinguish the important conference tourism attributes identified by industry stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 22 industry stakeholders (after saturation). The themes and attributes were analysed after each interview and a progression of themes was documented. This paper is the first attempt to investigate the conference attributes in South Africa that are important from a competitiveness perspective. The findings made it clear that location and accessibility were prioritised as conference tourism competitiveness attributes and that sustainability/greening was not prioritised as an important attribute. These findings and conclusions can contribute to developing and improving the conference tourism position of South Africa and enabling South Africa to become more competitive in this sector.

Keywords: attributes; competitive advantage; competitiveness; conference tourism; destination competitiveness; qualitative.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2023.130810

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2023 Vol.13 No.3, pp.262 - 276

Received: 12 May 2022
Received in revised form: 05 Sep 2022
Accepted: 05 Sep 2022
Published online: 08 May 2023 *

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Title: Determining the competitiveness attributes of conference tourism: a South African industry perspective

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