Abstract
M.A. (Tourism & Hospitality Management)
Urban tourism is a growing sector of the tourism market therefore many large cities in developed and developing countries have adopted tourism-led approaches to urban regeneration. Urban tourism now forms part of the South African local and regional economic development strategies of all major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein. Cultural tourism in turn is perceived as the fastest growing type of tourism in the world, and can function as a powerful tool in urban regeneration and transformation. Urban regeneration has the potential to produce economic benefits, improve physical environment, inner-city image and the welfare of city residents. The focus of the study was to explore the role of Newtown Cultural Precinct as a tool for urban regeneration, local economic growth and increasing tourist flows to the Johannesburg inner-city. Data was collected using mix-methods designs. In the first phase qualitative data was collected from various stakeholders involved in the development and management Newtown Cultural Precinct, and in the second phase quantitative data was collected from both domestic and international tourists visiting the cultural precinct. The result of the study reveals that Newtown Cultural Precinct serves as a ‘catalyst’ for urban regeneration and shows great potential in stimulating local economic growth and attracting a greater number of visitors into the Johannesburg inner city. Newtown Cultural Precinct has achieved, so far, some of the benefits of urban regeneration such as turning Newtown into a safe, secure, vibrant and friendly environment, improving social dimension of city residents, creating easy access into Newtown as well as positive perceptions of the image of Johannesburg inner-city.