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The expenditure patterns of Zimbabweans travelling to and from South Africa for Visiting Friends and Relatives purposes

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Tourism contributes to economic development in both developed and developing countries. Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is one of the largest forms of tourism on a global level. However, there has been limited research over the past decades on VFR travel especially in developing countries. In recent times, VFR travel has attracted the attention of researchers due to an increasing rate of migration resulting in the promotion of regional tourism through VFR travel. Despite the influx of migrants in South Africa, research on international VFR travel has been limited as most research on VFR travel has been on a local level from one province to another. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expenditure patterns of Zimbabweans travelling to and from South Africa for VFR purposes. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify the benefits of VFR travel to individual households in Zimbabwe. Using a quantitative framework, 200 questionnaires were distributed to Zimbabweans and a Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used as an analytical tool. Data analysis and discussion of the results reveal that VFR travellers from South Africa spend more than VFR travellers to South Africa on transport costs, food and beverages, entertainment and financial remittances. The expenditure is based on socio-demographics and the actual expenditure at a destination. Due to VFR travellers’ expenditure, the benefits, which are directed to individual households in Zimbabwe, include household upkeep, education, business investment, health and other reasons. Thus, this study focuses attention on international VFR travel and its contribution to the tourism economy both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
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African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Volume 6 (3) - (2017) ISSN: 2223-814X
Copyright: © 2017 AJHTL - Open Access- Online @ http//: www.ajhtl.com
1
The expenditure patterns of Zimbabweans travelling to
and from South Africa for Visiting Friends and Relatives
purposes
Lianda Gamuchirai Dzikiti*
School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Email: dzikitilianda@yahoo.com
and
Dr Clinton. D. van der Merwe
School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Email: clinton.vandermerwe@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27 11 717 3173
Corresponding author*
Abstract
Tourism contributes to economic development in both developed and developing countries. Visiting
Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is one of the largest forms of tourism on a global level. However,
there has been limited research over the past decades on VFR travel especially in developing countries.
In recent times, VFR travel has attracted the attention of researchers due to an increasing rate of
migration resulting in the promotion of regional tourism through VFR travel. Despite the influx of
migrants in South Africa, research on international VFR travel has been limited as most research on
VFR travel has been on a local level from one province to another. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the expenditure patterns of Zimbabweans travelling to and from South Africa for VFR
purposes. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify the benefits of VFR travel to individual households
in Zimbabwe. Using a quantitative framework, 200 questionnaires were distributed to Zimbabweans
and a Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used as an analytical tool. Data analysis
and discussion of the results reveal that VFR travellers from South Africa spend more than VFR
travellers to South Africa on transport costs, food and beverages, entertainment and financial
remittances. The expenditure is based on socio-demographics and the actual expenditure at a
destination. Due to VFR travellers’ expenditure, the benefits, which are directed to individual
households in Zimbabwe, include household upkeep, education, business investment, health and other
reasons. Thus, this study focuses attention on international VFR travel and its contribution to the tourism
economy both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Keywords: Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR), Tourism, Migration, Expenditure, Regional Tourism,
South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Introduction
The concept of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel involves people travelling to a
different location from their place of residence to visit friends and relatives and is distinct from
other forms of tourism, such as business or long term travellers such as missionaries or
volunteers (Barnet et al., 2010; Papathanassis, 2011). Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR)
travel contributes to international and domestic markets through various activities that people
partake in during the course of the visit (Morrison et al., 1995a; Morrison et al., 1995b; Seaton
and Palmer, 1997; Rogerson, 2017a; 2017b). Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) tourism
enables the tourists to have a feeling of being home, even though they are in a foreign land
or place, thus VFR can be practiced within national and international boundaries (Morrison et
al., 1995; Seaton and Palmer, 1997; Lehto et al., 2001; Uriely, 2010). The mobility of VFR
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tourism usually extends to the activities, which takes place outside one’s normal place of
residence. Globally, the importance of VFR tourism is not only practiced in developed
countries (Cohen and Harris, 1998; Morrison et al., 2000a; Pennington-Gray, 2003; Lehto et
al., 2001; Griffin, 2013; Barnet et al., 2010). Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel also
connects regional tourism and migration (Uriely, 2010, William and Hall, 2000; Marschall,
2017a; Marschall, 2017b). The concept of international Visiting Friends and Relatives travel
in Africa, has not been given the same attention as in developed countries even though Africa
is using tourism as a tool for economic development (Rogerson, 2012; Rogerson, 2015a). In
the Sub-Saharan region, South Africa has become one of the top countries, which receive a
number of foreign migrants coming from countries such as Botswana, Gabon, Lesotho,
Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (Maphosa, 2007, Marschall, 2017a;
Rogerson, 2017b). Visiting Friends and Relatives travel is mainly concerned with individual
activities and expenditures (Uriely, 2010). In order to understand VFR travel, it is important to
evaluate traveller’s expenditure at a destination. Expenditures “consist of the transaction cost,
including taxes of goods and services” (Paulin, 2008, 20). This expenditure refers to all the
purchases made at a point of sale (Paulin, 2008). This study defines expenditure as the total
expenses of VFR travellers (as group or individual) that may be incurred from transport costs;
activities at a destination, accommodation, food and beverages, gifts and other goods;
entertainment and monetary remittances. A remittance is money sent back home from the
country of employment to the country of origin (Russell, 1986; Boyd, 1989; Asiedu, 2005;
Asiedu, 2008). Remittances in this study can be in the form of money or goods sent or brought
to Zimbabwe, for example, food and beverage, gifts and other goods and entertainment (see
Table 2).
South Africa is one of the countries in Africa that is focusing on the concept of VFR travel on
a local level and people travelling from one province to another for VFR purposes (Rogerson,
2015a; South African Tourism Strategic Research Unit, 2013). However, South Africa
currently pays little attention to international VFR travellers; they are regarded as part of
regional tourism and classed statistically as normal tourists (South African Tourism Strategic
Research Unit, 2013; Rogerson, 2015a; Rogerson, 2015b; Rogerson, 2017a). The South
African 2012 Annual Tourism Report provides statistics that refer to domestic VFR travel only.
Therefore, South Africa underestimates the contribution of international VFR travel from
neighbouring countries to the tourism sector in Southern Africa (South African Tourism,
Strategic Research Unit 2013). The report supports the idea that South Africa receives
international tourists from African countries, which are of significance to the economic
development of the country (South African Tourism Strategic Research Unit 2013).
International VFR travel is influenced by economically stable countries that attract immigrants
(Lehto et al., 2001). The focus of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel in South Africa
is on the most popular provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo (Rule
et al., 2003). Domestically, the Gauteng province receives an influx of VFR travellers as a
result of internal migration (Rule et al., 2003; Rogerson, 2017a).
Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the contribution of VFR travellers by means of
investigating their expenditure patterns and also providing knowledge concerning the socio-
demographic and economic and characteristics of VFR travellers (Zimbabweans travelling to
and from South Africa). The objectives of the study are to
1. To evaluate the expenditure patterns of Zimbabweans travelling to and from South
Africa for VFR purposes.
2. To compare the expenditure pattern of Zimbabweans VFR travellers travelling to and
from South Africa.
3. To identify the benefits of VFR travel to individual households in Zimbabwe.
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Volume 6 (3) - (2017) ISSN: 2223-814X
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Zimbabweans occupy more than 50% of immigrants settled in the Gauteng province with the
majority settling in areas such as Hillbrow, Yeoville, and Berea amongst other places (Chereni,
2014). It is also very accessible for Zimbabweans to visit South Africa because the countries
are separated by one geographical border (Maphosa, 2007). Zimbabweans migrate to South
Africa for various reasons such as studying, working, vacations and business travel which also
attract the development of VFR travel (Maphosa, 2007; United Nations Human Settlement
Programme, 2008). Zimbabwean immigrants receive visitors hence these visitors are
travelling for VFR purposes (Griffin, 2014). It is important to evaluate the expenditure patterns
of Zimbabwean VFR travellers. Of 9.18 million international arrivals in 2012, 2.54 million were
travelling for VFR purposes (South African Tourism Strategic Research Unit, 2013). This
shows the importance of international VFR travel and the importance of this study.
The concept and evolution of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel
Globally, tourism is a rapidly growing economic sector (Hall and Page, 1999; Guliani and
Rizwan, 2016; World Bank, 2016; World Travel and Tourism Council, 2016). The phenomenon
of tourism is dynamic, mainly influenced by economic, social, political, environmental and
technological factors and these benefits will assist to achieve economic development (Feng
and Page, 2000). There are various types of tourism activities and the concept of Visiting
Friends and Relatives travel is one of the major forms of tourism, which forms the backbone
of this study. The concept of VFR travellers was not given much attention until the 1990s
(Yousuf and Backer, 2016) which shows that the VFR has not received much attention in
tourism in general (Morrison et al., 2000a; Feng and Page, 2000; Hu and Morrison, 2002;
Backer, 2008).
However, due to the rapid increase in participation and growth of VFR travel, more research
has been dedicated to this subject (Morrison et al., 1995; Morrison et al., 2000a; Moscardo et
al., 2000; Butler, 2003; Muri and Sagesser, 2003; Asiedu, 2005; Backer, 2007; Seaton and
Palmer, 1997; Asiedu. 2008; Backer, 2010; Pearce, 2012). Visiting Friends and Relatives
travel has value for tourism development (Seaton and Palmer, 1997; Papathanassis, 2011;
Shani and Uriely, 2012) and people who cannot afford to travel for a pleasure holiday but
certainly travel for visiting friends and relative’s purposes (Backer and Morrison, 2015;
Rogerson, 2015c). The concept of VFR travel can be regarded as a motivation why people
visit a particular destination (Pennington-Gray, 2003; Murphy et al., 2007; Backer and
Morrison, 2015). Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is not homogenous; it
encompasses the differentiation between Visiting both Friends and Relatives (VFR) Visiting
Relatives (VR) and Visiting Friends (VF) (Morrison and O’Leary, 1995; Moscardo et al., 2000;
Butler, 2003). Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers involve either day or night visitors;
international or domestic VFR travellers in relation to the activities they undertake during the
course of the trip (Morrison and O’Leary, 1995; Moscardo et al., 2000; Butler, 2003; Bischoff
and Koenig-Lewis, 2007).
The importance of visiting friends and relative travel to the economy
Visiting Friends and Relatives travel is essential to the development of a country especially in
developing countries (Palovic et al, 2014). The mobility of VFR travellers across international
boundaries contributes significantly to the development of household and individual benefits
through VFR travel. The benefits of VFR travel can be viewed in one of two ways: the benefits
it brings to the place of visit and the benefits it brings to the place of origin (original country
where the person comes from (Feng and Page, 2000; Lehto et al., 2001; Asiedu, 2005; Asiedu,
2008; Rogerson, 2015a). This denotes that VFR travel is important because these benefits
contribute to economic, socio-cultural and environmental development for the country visited
and to the original place of stay (Morrison and O’Leary, 1995; MacEachern et al., 2007). It is
argued that the overall expenditure of VFR travel is low, however if these expenditures are
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added together, it contributes to the local development of a particular area through travel,
retail, entertainment and other services (Lehto et al., 2001; Bischoff and Koenig-Lewis, 2007).
Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel also contributes to development on a local level
through tourism attractions, accommodation sectors, profitable recreation organisations,
restaurants, and travel networks (Lehto et al., 2001). The importance of VFR travel is brought-
out by the use of paid accommodation depending on their length of stay. However, some VFR
travellers opt to stay with friends and relatives (Seaton and Palmer, 1997; King et al., 2013)
which allow them to be able to spend money on other goods and services. Seaton and Palmer
(1997) support that VFR travel contributes less in terms of spending than other forms of
tourism. Although VFR tourists spend less than leisure tourists on accommodation, they
contribute to the tourism revenue even though it is a smaller percentage than other forms of
travel (Poel et al., 2004). Research conducted in Australia on the importance of VFR travel
reveals that domestic VFR travel has more benefits than international VFR. These benefits
include sustaining the profitability of routes to access local destination and the promotion of
local culture (Morrison et al., 2000b). Based on these arguments, if the concept of VFR travel
is promoted in developing countries, especially with the link to migration, it can contribute to
the economic development of individual households in developing countries. The next section
discusses the link between VFR travel and migration.
The influence of migration on visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel
The link between VFR travel and migration was given scant attention by various scholars until
1990 because that is when the concept of VFR travel made a significant turnaround in
developing and developed countries (King et al., 2013). Migration influences tourism
development through regional tourism (Gamage and King, 1999; Feng and Page, 2000;
William and Hall, 2000; Butler, 2003; O’Reilly, 2003; Rogerson and Visser, 2006; Rogerson
and Kiambo, 2007; Rogerson, 2015d; Yousuf and Backer, 2016; Rogerson, 2017a). Seetaram
and Dwyer (2009) pointed out the reasons that influence the development of tourism through
migration. The reasons include permanent migration in which the immigrant communicates
with friends and relatives, informing them about the attractions, hence influencing them to visit
(William and Hall, 2000; Seetaram and Dwyer, 2009). Furthermore, the link between migration
and VFR travel is as a result of the connection between communication and information
technology and how the media has contributed to the shaping of the physical relationships
(Feng and Page, 2000; Casado-Diaz et al., 2014; Palovic et al., 2014; Rogerson, 2017a).
Social networks promote VFR travel and the relationship between space, place and time (King
et al., 2013; Janta et al., 2014). Migration influences social networks and trust between people
due to the distance that separates migrants and their friends and relatives (Boyd, 1989;
William and Hall, 2000; William et al., 2000; Palovic et al., 2014).
Visiting Friends and Relatives travel contribution to tourism studies is mainly driven by the
phenomenon of multiple homes (second home tourism) (Visser, 2003; Hui, 2008;
Hoogendoorn and Gustav, 2011; Rogerson and Hoogendoorn, 2014; McLeod and Busser,
2014). The link between migration and second home tourism is crucial in understanding VFR
travel. When people migrate to a new place, they settle there and have homes that provide
temporary accommodation especially for friends and relatives visiting (McLeod and Busser,
2014; Rogerson and Hoogendoorn, 2014). The temporary accommodation provided by friends
and relatives acts as second homes to the hosts visited (Rogerson and Hoogendoorn, 2014).
As a result of migration, there is a rapid growth of regional tourism in developing countries,
even though this phenomenon is neglected in social research (Rogerson and Kiambo, 2007;
Ghimire, 2001a; Ghimire, 2001b; Karambakuwa et al., 2011; William and Hall, 2002;
Rogerson, 2014a; Rogerson, 2014b). An estimate of 73% of tourists visiting southern Africa
are from other African countries, thus contributing to economic development (Ghimire, 2001b;
Rogerson, 2015). It is projected that by 2020, intra-regional tourists will expand in numbers
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with an estimate of 50 million as compared to 30 million of long haul (international) tourists in
Africa (Rogerson, 2015a). Regional tourism in South Africa has been given little attention,
especially the contribution to the tourism economy before 1994 (Rogerson, 2014a), however,
the perception after 1994 when the concept was given more attention (Rogerson and Visser,
2006; Rogerson, 2014b). In 2009, 9.93 million International tourists arrived in South Africa;
and 77. 9% were from African countries (Rogerson 2011). Regional tourists visit South Africa
with Gauteng province as the main target for African regional tourists (Rogerson and Kiambo,
2007; Rogerson 2011; Rogerson, 2014b; Rogerson, 2017a). It is estimated that 33. 2% of
tourists from African countries travel for shopping, business or leisure purposes (Rogerson,
2011). Regional tourism is influenced by various factors such as the expansion of international
tourists, improved infrastructure, the development of improved transport systems, foreign
exchange earnings, improved telecommunication skills and the Internet (Rogerson and
Kiambo, 2007, Rogerson, 2014b).
South Africa recognizes the benefits of tourism activities and its contribution to the
development of the economy (Rogerson, 2011) and VFR travel is one of the major contributors
(Rule et al., 2004; Rogerson, 2015d; Rogerson and Zoleka, 2015). Visiting Friends and
Relatives travel in South Africa pays more attention on domestic VFR as compared with
international VFR travel (Rule et al., 2004; Rogerson, 2015d; Rogerson and Zoleka, 2015).
The factors influencing the expenditure patterns of VFR travellers
The expenditure of VFR travel can be linked to the concept of the customer behaviour theory
which states that a customer’s purchase of goods and services is determined by various
factors. These factors include age and lifestyle stage, occupation, personality, economic
situation, taste and preferences, social status, thoughts and feelings, perception, attitude and
motivation (Aslin and Rothschild, 1987; Peerapandit, 1999; Abdallat and Emam, 2001; Bray,
2008; Ushadevi, 2013; Zlega, 2014). The spending patterns of tourists assists in the planning
and marketing of a destination (Sung et al., 2001; Soteriades and Arvanitis, 2006). The
tourist’s expenditure is crucial in order to understand the cost and profits linked to the tourism
industry (Perez and Sampol, 2000). Tourists spending at a destination is influenced by two
main factors, namely socio-demographic characteristics and travel-related factors (Jang et al.,
2004; Soteriades and Arvanitis, 2006). Socio-demographic factors include income, nationality,
marital status, educational level, employment status, age and sex (Cai, 1999; Mok and
Iverson, 2000; Perez and Sampol, 2000; Sung et al., 2001; Soteriades and Arvanitis, 2006;
Wang et al., 2006). These factors can influence tourists’ decisions before they actually travel
to a particular destination. Travel-related factors encompass the activities at a destination
which determine the spending pattern of VFR travellers (Wang et al., 2006; Wang and
Davidson, 2010). It is argued that travel-related factors contribute more to expenditure
patterns than socio-demographic factors (Hsieh et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2006).
Goods and services purchased by tourists at a destination determine expenditure distribution
and are mainly achieved through the evaluating socio-demographic characteristics of tourists
and travel-related factors at a destination (Alegre and Pou, 2006; Soteriades and Arvanitis,
2006). Tourists evaluate if they are connecting emotionally with the new environment thus
assisting them in making decisions. The more excited the tourist is about a destination, the
more they are likely to spend at the destination (Wang et al., 2006; Wang and Davidson, 2010).
This argument has been supported by Downward and Lumsdon (2004) who argue that the
destination attracts tourists and motivates them to visit the destination and will determine their
spending. Research conducted on Taiwanese tourists to the USA demonstrated that socio-
economic characteristics and trip characteristics influenced tourists spending at a destination
(Lehto et al., 2004b). Research conducted on the Balearic Islands shows that socio-
demographic factors play a role in the choice of destination and holiday activities (Alegre and
Pou, 2006). Based on the expenditure patterns of sports events in the USA, the results
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revealed that there is a relationship between spending patterns, trip preferences and trip
characteristics (Dixon et al., 2012).
The expenditure of VFR travelling to and from their country of origin contributes to remittances.
A remittance is money sent back home from the country of employment to the country of origin
(Russell, 1986; Boyd, 1989; Asiedu, 2005; Asiedu, 2008). Remittances in this study can be in
the form of money or goods sent or brought to Zimbabwe, for example, food and beverage,
gifts and other goods and entertainment (Table 2). Visiting Friends and Relatives travel
benefits as discussed in the previous section is also brought out through remittances sent
from country of employment to the country of origin (Russell, 1986; Boyd, 1989; Asiedu, 2005;
Asiedu, 2008). These remittances were used for educational purposes, provision of food,
investment in land, starting a business and development of household purposes (Boyd, 1989;
Asiedu, 2005; van Dalen et al., 2005; Wong, 2006; Asiedu, 2008). Remittances sent to
countries of origin also contribute to the reduction of poverty in developing countries (Acosta,
2008). The literature discussed above form the basis of the methods, data analysis and the
overall conclusion of the study.
Methods and Study site
The actual research was conducted in the Gauteng province focusing on the two major cities
Johannesburg and Pretoria. The research was conducted at two major stations:
Johannesburg Park Station and Pretoria Bosman Station. These are the main stations in
Gauteng that Zimbabweans use when they arrive/depart in/from South Africa (Government
Gazette, 2015). The map (see Figure 1) shows the exact points of the two locations where
the researcher found respondents as possible interviewees. On the same map, the areas
which the researcher collected additional data are also highlighted to show their proximity from
the two main stations in Gauteng. Johannesburg Park Station and the Pretoria Bosman
Station are connected by the N1 road, which is a major road in South Africa used by
Zimbabweans travelling to and from South Africa.
Map of study area
Figure 1: Map showing Park Station and Bosman Station and the study areas within the Gauteng Province
(Author’s Map).
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Data collection process
The convenience and snowball samples were used to identify the respondents (Ellison et al.,
2009; Heckathorn, 2011). Convenience sampling was used at both the station and the
surrounding areas, from respondents readily available at the study site and willing to respond
and participate in the study. Convenience sampling was mainly undertaken for the researcher
as a result of being familiar with the study area; it is easy to access and in this case the
researcher is familiar with Zimbabwean languages (Shona and Ndebele) (Dzikiti, 2017). The
snowballing technique was applied in identifying respondents in areas which were identified
by respondents at the two bus stations were the majority of Zimbabweans stay (see Figure 1).
The following snowballing techniques was used in these areas:
1. A direct encounter with fellow Zimbabweans (colleagues, friends and relatives).
2. Asking respondents at Pretoria Bosman and Johannesburg Park Station.
3. The door-to-door approach in the areas identified above in an attempt to reach the
sampling size of this research (Dzikiti, 2017).
The data was collected after the visit, therefore, VFR travellers from South Africa when they
arrive at the bus station and also in the surrounding areas where they reside whilst VFR
travellers to South Africa were approached whilst they were waiting to depart at the bus station
were targeted (Dzikiti, 2017). The data as collected over a period of four months: September
2015-December 2015. The survey was collected at the Johannesburg Park Station and
Pretoria Bosman Station (see Figure 1), the respondents were asked to fill in a questionnaire
(Dzikiti, 2017).
A total of 200 questionnaires were collected during this period. Because the study was based
on evaluating the expenditure patterns of VFR travellers travelling to and from South Africa
and its contribution to individual household development, most questions were related to the
expenditure. The questions were divided into four sections:
I. Socio-demographic characteristics (age; educational level; income; employment
status; place of stay).
II. Factors determining how much they are going to spend on the actual visit (the purpose
of travel; type of accommodation used; activities VFR travellers were involved in; what
made VFR travellers to travel (influences) and length of stay).
III. The actual expenditure at a destination (the amount of money spent on transport, food
and beverages (groceries), gifts and other goods (clothes and furniture), entertainment
and monetary remittances).
IV. The possible benefits directed back to individual households in Zimbabwe through
VFR travel.
Not all questionnaires were utilized for analysis because the questionnaires were incomplete
and therefore were discarded. A total of 200 questionnaires were filled out and only 180
questionnaires were left, which were filled in with all the questions being answered and were
settled for analysis. This paper has a limitation in that it only addressed the socio-demographic
characteristics, the actual expenditure at a destination and the benefits of the visit to individual
households in Zimbabwe (Dzikiti, 2017).
Throughout the data collection process the researcher faced limitations for example, due to
the widespread xenophobic attack, some respondents were not willing to participate in the
study and were not comfortable in answering the questionnaire in public places. Some
respondents were not always willing to participate especially at the bus station because of
time constraints. In most cases, the respondents struggled to finish completing the
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questionnaire because the buses were ready to depart and I had to assist them in completing
the questionnaires (Dzikiti, 2017).
Results and discussion
Demographics
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of VFR travellers to and from South Africa (in percentages).
Age
18-30 years
31-40 years
41-50 years
51-60 years
Above 60
SA-ZW
48
27
18
6
1
ZW-SA
40
36
15
6
3
Education
Level
Primary
High
Diploma
Degree
Honours
Masters and
PhD
SA to ZW
1
12
18
28
31
10
ZW to SA
5
16
34
29
9
5
Employment
status
YES
NO
SA to ZW
78
28
ZW to SA
72
22
Job
Description
Industrial
Retail
Banking
Self-
Employed
Academic
Student
None
SA to ZW
15
12
12
15
18
14
16
ZW to SA
30
31
5
5
7
10
12
Income
≤ R2 000
R2 001-
R5 000
R5 001-
R10 000
R10 001-
R25 000
R25 001-
R50 000
Above
R50 000
SA to ZW
14
13
21
24
20
8
ZW to SA
10
20
29
19
20
2
Permanent
Residency
Zimbabwe
South Africa
SA to ZW
25
75
ZW to SA
84
16
(Author’s Data)
Based on the socio-demographic characteristics it is evident that VFR travellers between 18-
30-years-old are the most active group in the context of VFR travellers. This is the case
because this group is considered to be active because of their employment status, having a
larger friendship cycle and they also have more time to travel (Dzikiti, 2017). The literature on
VFR travels argues that VFR travellers above the age of 65 travel more as compared with
other age groups (US Department of Labour Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2002; Seaton and
Palmer, 2007). This finding is contrasting with the results of this study in which the age group
of 65 years is the least travellers in VFR travel. In term of educational level, both groups of
VFR travellers to and from South Africa are educated which enables them to get a job and
enables them to have money to travel and spend (Dzikiti, 2017). It could be argued that the
more educated one is, the more likely they are to travel and spend at a destination (Cai, 1999;
Mok and Iverson, 2000; Perez and Sampol, 2000).
Employment status concur with occupation status in which there is a variety of job
opportunities in South Africa as compared with Zimbabwe. Visiting Friends and Relatives from
South Africa have a higher income than VFR travellers to South Africa. 75% of the total
respondents of Zimbabweans regard South Africa as a permanent place of stay. 84% of the
total Zimbabwean respondents regard Zimbabwe as a temporary place of stay (Dzikiti, 2017).
This shows that place of stay is important because it will assist with VFR travellers with
accommodation during the course of their visit. Visiting Friends and Relatives to South Africa
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9
have an added advantage because an estimate of 46% of immigrants in Gauteng are
Zimbabweans (Chereni, 2014).
Factors VFR travellers consider before the actual visit
Figure 2 shows the activities of VFR travellers to and from South Africa at a destination.
Figure 2: Recreational Activities of Zimbabweans Travelling to and from South Africa (Author’s Data).
When VFR travellers travel to at a destination, even though the main purpose of travel is to
visit friends and relatives they are also involved in other activities. Based on the results of the
study, 86% of VFR travellers to South Africa are also involved strongly in shopping as
compared to 76% of VFR travellers from South Africa (see Figure 2). The level of participation
of VFR travellers to South Africa is mainly affected by the US Dollar-Rand exchange rate
where goods are relatively expensive in Zimbabwe as compared with goods in South Africa
(Dzikiti, 2017). A VFR traveller from South Africa argues that:
There is value in South Africa because of the US Dollar-Rand exchange rate. The
Rand has better value in South Africa than when converted to Dollars in Zimbabwe
(Respondent 13).
One of the cross-border traders from Zimbabwe supported the argument that it is cheaper to
buy good in South Africa than Zimbabwe and stated that:
I buy more stuff with little money when they change their money to Rands as
compared to buying in US Dollars in Zimbabwe (Respondent 90).
Various scholars argue that VFR travellers do not participate in tourism activities (Teye, 1998;
Rogerson and Visser, 2006; Rogerson, 2014a). However, based on Figure 2, it is shown that
in reality VFR travellers participate in various tourism activities. Visiting Friends and Relatives
travellers do not spend much on tourism activities because of the financial support they
provide to their families through remittances (see Table 2). However, a study conducted by
Marschall (2017a) shows that when migrants visit their home countries they participate in
tourism activities. This argument supports this study even though VFR travellers from South
010 20 30 40 50 60
Visiting Tourists Attraction
Eating in Restaurants
Watching Movies
Relaxing with Family
Shopping
Vising Friends and Relatives
Number of Respondents
Activities at a
Destination
VFR Travellers Activities in SA and ZW
ZW to SA
SA to ZW
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Africa do not spend much on tourism activities thus contributing to the development of tourism
on both local and national levels.
The expenditure patterns of VFR travellers
Table 2: Spending Patterns of VFR travellers to and from South Africa
SA to ZW
ZW to SA
VFR Travellers Spending
Total
Contribution
Average per
Traveller
Total Contribution
Average per
Traveller
Transport Cost
R267 900
R2 977
R164 100
R1 823
Food and Beverages
R360 920
R4 010
R202 000
R2 244
Gifts and Other Goods
R202 650
R2 252
R422 550
R4 695
Entertainment
R150 290
R1 670
R109 950
R1 222
Financial Remittances
R650 500
R7 228
R220 000
R2 444
(Author’s Data)
Travel/transport cost expenditure
Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa spend more money on transport
than VFR travellers to South Africa. 47% of the total respondents of VFR travellers from South
Africa and 34% of the total respondents of VFR travellers to South Africa spend on transport
(see Table 2). This is because VFR travellers from South Africa spend more on transport
probably because when they travel by bus, they also pay for their luggage thus it will be costly
(Dzikiti, 2017). Also during the peak holiday season for example, in December the bus fare
also rises, thus, at the end the amount of money paid by VFR travellers from South Africa is
more than VFR travellers to South Africa (Dzikiti, 2017). Visiting Friends and Relative
travellers to South Africa spend less because for those who travel during the off-peak season
between September and November the bus fares will be reasonably low and would want to
spend more money on shopping (see Figure 2).
Transport cost are crucial in evaluating the expenditure of VFR travellers. Zimbabwe and
South Africa are divided by one geographical border, which makes it easy for VFR travellers
to travel between the two countries (Timothy,1995; Rogerson and Kiambo; 2007). Based on
Table 2, VFR travellers to South Africa spend less on transport and more on shopping and
other goods because these travellers probably feel the need to spend more on goods that they
feel will contribute to individual household development. This claim can be supported by the
perception of VFR travellers from South Africa on the value of goods and services between
South Africa and Zimbabwe. One respondent argued that:
Yes, there is more value for money in South Africa. Firstly, because in
Zimbabwe we do not use our own national currency, which already
depreciates the value for money and secondly the cost of living is very
high in Zimbabwe due to the economic crisis and goods are charged very
high than in South Africa (Respondent 2).
Food and beverage (grocery) expenditure
Zimbabweans are supported by remittances sent by VFR travellers which can also be in the
form of food and beverages (groceries), gifts and other goods (clothes and furniture) (see
Table 2) which contribute to household upkeep. The money spent by Zimbabweans travelling
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to and from South Africa on food and beverages (groceries) for family and friends and
expenditures includes what they leave or send as grocery remittances to Zimbabwe (Dzikiti,
2017). Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa spend more on food and
beverages compared with VFR travellers to South Africa (see Table 2). This is so because
VFR travellers from South Africa believe that buying goods in South Africa is better than buying
in Zimbabwe because of the US-Dollar exchange rates (Dzikiti, 2017). At the same time, VFR
travellers from South Africa cater for VFR travellers to South Africa during a visit. However,
this does not imply that Zimbabwean VFR travellers to South Africa do not spend on food and
beverages but in most cases whatever they spend contributes to grocery remittances (see
Figure 2). Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa spend more than VFR
travellers to South Africa because some travellers act as breadwinners for their families. There
is a significant difference in the amount of money spent on food and beverages for both
travellers to and from South Africa. The purchasing of food and beverages at a destination
contributes to the development of the local economy. This is in the view of Gamage and King
(1999), based on a study on Sri Lanka immigrants, where 76% of VFR spending is used on
food and beverages. Visiting Friends and Relative travellers to South Africa argue that there
is more value for goods and services in South Africa than Zimbabwe:
In South Africa, I get value for money because it’s a country that has a
stable economy and it doesn’t depend on imports unlike in Zimbabwe.
South Africa has got its own currency and its value is determined by the
performances of the economy i.e. GDP and other external factors that
affect world economies unlike in Zimbabwe that is dependent on a
currency that is not theirs; most commodities are overpriced (Respondent
28).
This argument confirms the reason why VFR travellers to South Africa spend more on gifts
and other goods than VFR travellers from South Africa (Dzikiti, 2017).
Gifts and other goods
Visiting Friends and Relative travellers to South Africa spend more than VFR travellers from
South Africa on gifts and other goods (see Table 2). This is because VFR travellers to South
Africa travel to buy goods which will assist them when they return to Zimbabwe as clothes and
furniture remittances, for example, for individual household development and to start a
business (see Figure 3). Littrell et al. (2004) argued that shopping acts as a source of tourism
profits thus contributing to economic development. The longer VFR tourists stay at a
destination, the more they will spend especially on shopping than other types of tourists (Table
2). It is evident that the majority of Zimbabweans travelling between South Africa and
Zimbabwe are involved in shopping activities (Dzikiti, 2017). Gift and other goods expenditure
for VFR travel (see Figure 2) show that 48% of Zimbabweans travel to South Africa for
shopping purposes. The findings from this study supports the findings by Ramachandran
(2006) who argues that VFR travellers spend mostly on shopping and entertainment rather
than on increased accommodation thus they choose to stay with friends and relatives.
In 2015, the government of Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwean Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)
decided that certain goods were not allowed in the country without declaring them. Basic
commodities such as cooking oil, camphor cream mayonnaise, washing soap and bathing
soap, amongst other goods, were banned (Xolisa, 2016). The decision was made in
accordance with the Zimbabwe’s Statutory Instrument No.64 of 2016 “which banned the
import of basic foodstuffs and other products from South Africa” (African News Agency (ANA)
Reporter, 2016a). The Zimbabwean government argued that goods banned from South Africa
are available in Zimbabwe; therefore, there is no need to continue importing goods which are
already available in the country. The ban on importation of goods has had a negative impact
on the majority of Zimbabweans who relied on this system for survival (South Africa Broadcast
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Corporation (SABC), 16 July 2016). This also had an effect on VFR travellers to and from
Zimbabwe since they travel to South Africa on a regular basis. The situation worsened in 2016,
when a complete ban of certain goods from South Africa to Zimbabwe was imposed which
has not only affected Zimbabwe but also South Africa with shop owners losing market
especially in Musina (African News Agency (ANA) Reporter, 2016b).
Entertainment
Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa spend more on entertainment than
VFR travellers to South Africa because the majority of these travellers are travelling for a
substantial period of time (see Table 2). It is possible for VFR travellers from South Africa to
visit newly developed space in Zimbabwe as tourist destinations (see Figure 2). Visiting
Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa visit various places of interest in Zimbabwe
during the period they will be visiting. These places include visiting tourist attractions, watching
movies, eating in restaurants, shopping and visiting friends and relatives (see Figure 2).
Various scholars argue that visiting places of interest plays a role in determining the
entertainment expenditure of VFR travellers, the more they travel, the more they are likely to
spend on entertainment and vice versa (William and Hall, 2000; Seetaram and Dwyer, 2009;
Pearce,2012; Pennington- Gray, 2013 and Griffin, 2014). However, VFR travellers to South
Africa spend less on entertainment than VFR travellers from South Africa because they are
saving for other expenditures which can be used for remittances thus contributing to the
development of individual households (Dzikiti, 2017). The development and contribution of the
tourism economy in developing countries is important (Rogerson and Hoogendoorn 2014;
Rogerson 2015a; 2015b; 2015c). The previous argument shows that VFR travel contributes
to the development of both the regional and local tourism economy.
Financial remittances
Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers from South Africa send more financial remittances as
compared with VFR travellers to South Africa. The reason is that VFR travellers constantly
send money to Zimbabwe on a regular/monthly basis. When they return to Zimbabwe, VFR
travellers to South Africa prefer buying gifts and other goods because of the exchange rates.
Financial remittances are vital for people in Zimbabwe and the majority of them depend on
VFR travellers from South Africa to send them the money (Dzikiti, 2017). This observation is
interesting because of the difference in economic levels between Zimbabwe and South Africa
as evidenced by a VFR traveller to South Africa who stated that:
Yes, because the South African economy is competitive and stable as
compared to the Zimbabwean economy. In terms of prices, there is variety
and quality in Zimbabwe and most locally produced goods are priced
beyond the intended use hence it gives a comparative leverage on the
South African goods and services (Respondent 77).
Visiting Friends and Relatives travellers to South Africa also return to Zimbabwe with some of
the remittances sent by family living in South Africa. Therefore, remittances in terms of
monetary value and goods are continually remitted to Zimbabwe as long as the concept of
VFR travel is practiced (Dzikiti, 2017). These findings with regards to monetary remittances
(see Table 4) are similar to those observed by Feng and Page (2000); Lehto et al. (2001);
Asiedu (2005); Asiedu (2008) and Rogerson (2015a) which show the benefits VFR brings to
both place of stay and place of origin. The flow of remittances to Zimbabwe from migrants in
South Africa will remain a continuous process.
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Contribution of VFR travel to individual households in Zimbabwe through remittances
The money sent by immigrants is used for various purposes such as education, food,
investments and to start businesses amongst others (Boyd, 1989; Asiedu, 2005; Asiedu,
2008). The last section of this chapter discusses the contribution of VFR travel through
remittances to an individual household in Zimbabwe (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Remittances Use in individual households in Zimbabwe (Author’s Data).
The contribution of remittances of VFR travellers to and from South Africa is mainly for
household upkeep (see Figure 3). 83% of the total VFR respondents from South Africa and
64% of the total VFR respondents to South Africa contribute to household upkeep. Household
upkeep is one of the major reasons why VFR travellers, especially from South Africa, send
financial remittances to Zimbabwe (Dzikiti, 2017). These remittances serve to secure food
security and other vital necessities. As compared with other categories household upkeep is
an important aspect for VFR travellers and their families in Zimbabwe (Dzikiti, 2017). The
finding of the contribution of remittances towards household upkeep is similar to those of
Crush and Tevera (2010) who argue that Zimbabweans who migrated to South Africa support
at least five people at home. This shows the importance of remittances towards household
upkeep.
The importance of remittances is supported by various scholars (Asiedu, 2005; Asiedu, 2008;
van Dalen et al., 2005). The mobility of VFR travellers contributes to the development of
household and individual benefits. Sending money home shows that there are opportunities
in a foreign land, thus influencing future migration. Wong (2006) holds the view that money
sent home by immigrants is often used to start small businesses and household development
as evidenced by Ghanaian women working in Toronto. The benefits of remittances in Ghana
are the same as in Zimbabwe where remittances contribute to household development,
business and education. The remittance of VFR travellers travelling to and from South Africa
is also used for business and education purposes, which concur with the findings of Asiedu
(2005); Wong (2006) and Asiedu (2008).
Based on Figure 2, VFR travellers to and from South Africa identified education and health as
important elements which are supported by the remittances sent to Zimbabwe. Visiting Friends
and Relatives to South Africa spend 11% and VFR travellers from South Africa spend 28% of
the financial remittances towards education. Also, VFR travellers to South Africa spend 3%
and VFR travellers from South Africa spend 7% of the financial remittances directed to health
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respectively. The remittances of VFR travellers to and from South Africa may be used to start
a business which might, in turn, generate revenues which will assist individual households
(see Figure 2).
Some VFR travellers to and from South Africa do not bring money. Some Visiting Friends and
Relative travellers do not send or bring money because they might be students or are
unemployed and travel to and from South Africa for VFR and holiday purposes (see Table 2).
The results of this study show that the contribution of VFR travel is crucial for the development
of a country (Dzikiti, 2017). The benefits of VFR travel contribute to the economic, socio-
cultural and environmental development of the country as well as on a local level (Morrison
and O’Leary, 1995; Lehto et al., 2001; MacEachern et al., 2007). However, it is argued that
the overall expenditure on VFR travel is relatively low (Lehto et al., 2001; Bischoff and Koenig-
Lewis, 2007). If added together the expenditure of VFR travellers contributes to the local
development of an area visited through remittances (Lehto et al., 2001; Bischoff and Koenig-
Lewis, 2007). Therefore, the findings of Lehto et al., (2001), and Bischoff and Koenig-Lewis
(2007), are supported by this study where the benefits of VFR travel are directed to individual
households through remittances.
The majority of VFR travellers to and from South Africa have a stable income such that at a
destination they are able to make personal decisions that allow them to spend on goods and
services that will benefit individual households (Dzikiti, 2017). In this case, the benefits are
through the remittances, which contribute to the benefits of individual households (Dzikiti,
2017). In order for consumption to take place, knowledge and information are crucial in
determining the decision-making process goods and services.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, it is argued that VFR travel matters to tourism scholarship in sub-Saharan
Africa and that the neglect of VFR travellers should be addressed by an expanded research
agenda, the findings of which can have potential relevance for policy makers(Rogerson,
2017b:10). This paper in small measure addressed this call. With the concept of international
VFR travel estimated in South Africa to be of growing significance (Rogerson, 2017b), this
study has brought to light the importance of VFR travel both to the country visited and the
country of origin (Dzikiti, 2017). It is evident that socio-demographic characteristics of VFR
travellerss such as age, household income, employment and occupation level, education level
and place of stay play a significant role in VFR travellers decision to travel and spend money
at a destination.
In terms of the actual expenditure of VFR travellers from South Africa it was shown that they
spend more than VFR travellers to South Africa on transport, groceries, entertainment and
financial remittances. This is possible because VFR travellers from South Africa have a strong
socio-demographic background as compared to VFR travellers to South Africa due to
employment opportunities, their ability to have improved education and working opportunities
in South Africa (Dzikiti, 2017). Visiting Friends and Relatives to South Africa spend more on
gifts and other goods as compared with VFR travellers from South Africa. The spending of
both VFR travellers to and from South Africa contributes significantly to the development of
individual households in Zimbabwe. The remittances sent to Zimbabwean where monetary
and goods contributes mostly towards household upkeep. Other respondents mentioned
education, health and other purposes (Dzikiti, 2017). However, due the strict regulation
imposed by the Zimbabwean government about the flow of basic commodities from South
Africa, this have a major effect on the movement and expenditures of VFR travellers travelling
to and from South Africa.
The link between migration and tourism has contributed to the development of cultural dilution,
with Zimbabweans adapting to the South African culture and norms; and South Africans
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adapting to some of the Zimbabweans practices (Dzikiti, 2017). With many of Zimbabweans
settling in South Africa, this has led to the development and establishment of permanent
homes, thus receiving more VFR travellers from Zimbabwe. The movement of VFR travellers
to and from South Africa has implications, which should be considered by the government of
both countries. The government of Zimbabwe should encourage the movement of VFR to
South Africa as it contributes to the development of household and Small Micro and Medium
Enterprises (SMME) amongst individuals. However, the scenario is different with the South
African government imposing strict rules and regulation that limit the number of days
Zimbabweans may visit South Africa (Dzikiti, 2017).
As a result of migrants moving to South Africa, there is pressure on the land and resources
as population is growing, especially in Gauteng. As much as the South Africa government is
imposing strict rules on reducing the number of Zimbabweans in South Africa, there is also
positive effects of VFR travel through tourism (Dzikiti, 2017). The government of South Africa
should look at the positive side as VFR travel as contributing to the development of the tourism
economy on both local and national levels. Since tourism is one of the main factors which
drives the tourism economy, policy implementation in this regard is crucial (Dzikiti, 2017).
Summing up this study, here is a need to promote international VFR travel through immigrants
and their contribution to remittances and further research could be conducted in this regard.
Acknowledgements
This paper is based on my dissertation. I would like to thank both Dr Cheryl Chamberlain and Dr Clinton D. van
der Merwe for assisting me in my studies towards my MSc.
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