Local lens on tourism

Local is lekker: Dr Richard George's Managing Tourism in South Africa has its case studies and examples drawn from local industry. (The book is published by Oxford University Press.)

Dr Richard George's new book takes a practical and pragmatic view of one of our fastest growing industries - and that common visitor to our shores: the tourist.

Coffee tables book on the subject abound but George's Managing Tourism in South Africa looks at the flipside; the management of these resources and opportunities. As such, it's geared to students and practitioners, providing a combination of industry-specific knowledge and general managerial skills.

The senior lecturer and convenor of Tourism Management at the School of Management Studies, George is the author of several academic books and articles on the subject.

Among the 13 contributors are familiar UCT names: Tanya Barben (Rare Books librarian), Associate Professor Richard Chivaka (accountancy), Nicole Frey (School of Management Studies), and Professor Chris Saunders (historical studies).

The book explores the fundamental business aspects of tourism, including law, management, human resource management, marketing and finance.

As it has a South African focus, its case studies and examples are all home-grown.

Good news ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.