Catering for large numbers of tourists : the McDonaldization of casual dining in Kruger National Park
Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu
Abstract
Since 2002 Kruger National Park (KNP) has subjected to a commercialisation strategy. Regarding income generation, SANParks (1) sees KNP as the goose that lays the golden eggs. As part of SANParks’ commercialisation strategy and in response to providing services that are efficient, predictable and calculable for a large number of tourists, SANParks has allowed well-known branded restaurants to be established in certain rest camps in KNP. This innovation has raised a range of different concerns and opinions among the public. This paper investigates the what and the where of casual dining experiences in KNP; describes how the catering services have evolved over the last 70 years; and evaluates current visitor perceptions of the introduction of franchised restaurants in the park. The main research instrument was a questionnaire survey. Survey findings confirmed that restaurant managers, park managers and visitors recognise franchised restaurants as positive contributors to the unique KNP experience. Park managers appraised the franchised restaurants as mechanisms for funding conservation.
Description
CITATION: Ferreira, S. L. A. & Van Zyl, G. W. 2016. Catering for large numbers of tourists : the McDonaldization of casual dining in Kruger National Park. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 33(33):39–53, doi:10.1515/bog-2016-0023.
The original publication is available at https://www.degruyter.com
The original publication is available at https://www.degruyter.com
Keywords
Franchised restaurants, South Africa -- Guidebooks, Franchises -- Retail trade -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park, Cater and catering -- Tourists -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park, Service level-agreements
Citation
Ferreira, S. L. A. & Van Zyl, G. W. 2016. Catering for large numbers of tourists : the McDonaldization of casual dining in Kruger National Park. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 33(33):39–53, doi:10.1515/bog-2016-0023