12/07/2026
The Department of Tourism Management is proud to celebrate the achievement of Mr. Pfarelo Manavhela, a staff member and PhD candidate, who recently presented a conference paper in China, Macau, titled, “From Consultation to Collaboration: Examining Local Community Involvement in Tourism Planning and Decision Making in Thohoyandou.”
This is part of his doctoral study, which explores the critical role of local communities in shaping tourism development and highlights the importance of moving beyond traditional consultation approaches towards meaningful collaboration in tourism planning and decision-making processes. Through his research, Mr. Manavhela provides valuable insights into how community participation can contribute to more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable tourism development.
A significant contribution of this study is the development of a Framework for the Development of a Tourism Precinct in Thohoyandou. The framework provides a strategic roadmap for integrating local community perspectives, stakeholder partnerships, and sustainable tourism principles into destination planning and development. It offers practical guidance for policymakers, tourism practitioners, local authorities, and community stakeholders seeking to enhance tourism competitiveness while ensuring that local communities actively participate in and benefit from tourism development.
His presentation demonstrated academic rigor, critical thinking, and a strong commitment to addressing real-world challenges within the tourism sector. The findings contribute significantly to ongoing discussions on community-based tourism, stakeholder engagement, destination development, and sustainable tourism governance in South Africa.
As a department, we are immensely proud of Mr. Manavhela’s accomplishment and his dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of tourism. His work reflects the Department of Tourism Management’s commitment to producing impactful research that supports sustainable tourism development, community empowerment, and evidence-based decision-making.
We congratulate Mr. Manavhela on this important milestone in his doctoral journey and wish him continued success as he progresses towards the completion of his PhD. His achievement serves as an inspiration to both students and colleagues, demonstrating the value of research that bridges academic scholarship, community development, and practical tourism solutions.
The Department of Tourism Management looks forward to the positive contribution that this research and the proposed tourism precinct framework will make to tourism planning, destination management, and inclusive local economic development in Thohoyandou and beyond.
