A sustainable marketing strategy for Dutch tourists to South Africa

Abstract

The Netherlands is South Africa's fifth most important market and therefore South Africa has to maintain this market potential. If South Africa can maintain a steady growth rate of between 3-5% it would be a very sustainable growth rate for South Africa's economy. This leads to the main aim of the study, namely to develop a sustainable marketing strategy for Dutch tourists to South Africa. Only 0.64% of a Dutch population of 15 million visited South Africa in 2002 which is an indication that the market still has some growth potential. This study is important to gain a better understanding of the Dutch tourist market in order to develop an effective marketing strategy. In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, 400 questionnaires were distributed randomly on different train routes in the Netherlands. The study indicated that: The main finding of the study is that South Africa should follow a Differentiated strategy to target the market segments. A differentiated marketing strategy is when a destination identifies more than one viable target market segment and prepares marketing mixes (product, price, place and promotion) for each segment. This study identified three different market segments for the purpose of maintaining the current market and to exploit a new market. The market was extended to market segment 1 and 2. Market segment 1: Young explorers- Age group 20-24 years (students) Market segment 2: Knowledge seekers- Age group 35-49 years (Non-profit workers) For maintaining the current market, segment 3 was identified Market segment 3: Ambitious travellers-Age group 25-34 years (Sales Personnel) 9 A sustainable marketing strategy is an ongoing strategy for the future and not one big campaign. It should consist of a series of actions or small marketing efforts that can maintain and extend the market for sustainability. 9 For sustainability always monitor the Dutch tourism demand (Dutch tourists' needs) and the supply (how many tourists South Africa can accommodate) on regular bases. A successful marketing strategy should indicate the direction in which all the marketing efforts are made, for instance to increase arrival figures and maintaining a sustainable growth rate of between 3-5% per year.