Introduction
Tourism Past Exam Papers and Memos for Grade 9: What South African Students Really Need to Know
Dig into the 2007 memorandum, and you’ll find more than just answers—it’s a snapshot of how South Africa’s tourism industry ticks. Forget dry theory; this is about the nuts and bolts of what makes the sector hum (or stumble). Let’s cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters for learners.
Section A: Multiple Choice (50 marks)
1. Tourism wears many hats—cultural, adventure, even medical—but one option in this list is the odd one out. Spot it.
2. The 1993 Tourism Act wasn’t just another piece of legislation gathering dust. Its real job? Laying the groundwork for an industry that could thrive, not just survive.
3. South Africa’s selling points are world-famous, but this question isn’t about what’s popular—it’s about what’s *essential*. Three options stand out. Can you name them all?
4. Cape Town’s airport might be iconic, but it’s not the country’s busiest. That title belongs somewhere else entirely.
5. Tourism isn’t just about warm bodies filling hotel beds. It’s about jobs, cash flow, and connections that ripple through communities. Which answer nails that reality?
Section B: Short Answer (50 marks)
1. South Africa’s tourism isn’t a monolith. From the Big Five to battlefields steeped in history, the variety is staggering. Break it down—what are the key categories?
2. The 1993 Tourism Act didn’t just regulate; it reshaped an entire industry. So what were its big-ticket impacts?
3. Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls—these aren’t just postcard pretty. Why do they matter beyond the obvious?
4. Tourists bring more than just cameras. They bring money. How does that cash injection actually play out in South Africa’s economy?
5. No industry is without its warts. What are the biggest headaches facing South Africa’s tourism sector today?
Section C: Essay (100 marks)
Tourism isn’t just about pretty landscapes or a night in a five-star lodge. It’s a lifeline for rural economies, a magnet for foreign investment, and—when done right—a way to turn South Africa’s diversity into a strength, not a divide. The jobs it creates in small towns? Vital. The way it puts the country on the global map? Irreplaceable. But let’s not sugarcoat it: the challenges are real. Safety concerns, crumbling infrastructure, the looming shadow of sustainability—these aren’t just buzzwords. They’re roadblocks that could derail everything if we’re not careful.
The question isn’t *if* tourism matters. It’s *how* we make it work for everyone—not just the tourists, but the people who call this place home. The answers? Smarter policies that don’t just pay lip service to change. Real empowerment for local communities, not just handouts. And above all, a commitment to preserving what makes South Africa *South Africa*—before it’s too late.