Research on business tourism is attracting greater interest from tourism scholars in the Global North. Scholarship on business tourism in the Global South, however, remains underdeveloped despite its significance for many leading urban tourism destinations. Arguably, the need for the growth of research on business tourism is particularly acute in major cities of sub-Saharan Africa where the sector is frequently of more significance than leisure tourism. This article contributes to addressing the knowledge gap on business tourism in urban Africa with its focus on MICE tourism in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. Use is made of a set of qualitative interviews which were conducted with stakeholder representatives for all hotels in Harare that have facilities to accommodate business events. Under scrutiny are the competitiveness of the city’s business tourism economy, the nature of business events in the city, and local pro-poor impacts.

This study seeks to investigate the capacity of domestic tourism to revive the tourism industry in South Africa during uncertain times using the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue that domestic tourism should be promoted as a way of offsetting losses experienced when international tourism is in decline. The purpose of the empirical study was to assess perceptions and attitudes regarding domestic tourism in South Africa. A self-selected sample of 350 respondents living in South Africa were asked about their travel behaviour and tourism practices in 2019 and 2020 as well as their post-pandemic travel plans. The authors believe that domestic tourism has the capacity to stimulate tourism growth in uncertain times after the recent pandemic, as most of the respondents indicated their willingness to travel more domestically after the pandemic and to engage in different types of local tourism. However, they emphasized the need to reduce prices in order to ensure that domestic customers could afford domestic tourism products offered the during times of external shocks.

The delivery of healthcare in Low-to-Medium-Income Countries (LMICs) has long posed challenges, with established models predominantly found in wealthier nations. These models are found to be either strategic or operational, and very rarely combine these two perspectives. Most importantly, these models lack a comprehensive, holistic and synchronous construct that accompanies a systems thinking approach. This research evaluates international best practices, fundamental global theories and existing systems and tools in healthcare through a systems approach. It collates these data to propose a customized systems-based, comprehensive framework for modeling and optimizing both the management and operational tiers of healthcare in LMICs. The approach is based on the adoption of digital tools, inclusive of AI, to analyze, assimilate, align and develop advanced, holistic and inclusive frameworks. The current gap in global healthcare delivery is characterized by an ongoing lack of ability to provide quality and cost-effective care, especially in the LMICs. Despite the fact that developmental challenges are unique and specific to respective countries, there are commonalities with regard to healthcare processes that present opportunities for optimization. The main challenge lies in the effective collation and synchronization of data and tools with the specific contexts of each country. This situation highlights the need for a cohesive systems approach to enhance healthcare delivery in LMICs, allowing for tailored solutions that can bridge existing gaps. This paper presents a strategic model, with initial data quantification guiding the development of the system model. The practical significance of this research lies in its potential to transform healthcare delivery in LMICs, leading to enhanced access and quality of care through optimized systems.

As the world continues to urbanize, increasing pressure is being placed on natural spaces, which are crucial for providing both residents and visitors with opportunities for nature experiences amidst „concrete jungles.” This research is centred in Tshwane, South Africa, with a specific focus on the Rietvlei Nature Reserve (RNR). The goal was to gather data regarding visitors’ travel patterns to, and motivations for visiting, RNR. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to RNR visitors using a convenience sampling technique. The data presented, together with the ensuing discussion, is based on responses from RNR visitors (n = 129) concerning their travel patterns and motivations. The findings show that RNR experiences a high number of repeat visits and short stays, primarily from group visitors who mostly engage in adventure and health-related activities. Recommendations include improving infrastructure at RNR to better support group activities and to promote the associated health benefits. In addition, suggestions were made to increase awareness of the reserve’s role in environmental conservation. This research underscores the significance of natural spaces in urban areas, highlights their value for health and well-being, and emphasizes the necessity of protecting these environments through sustainable management.

Background: Zoos have evolved into centres for informal education. However, their contribution to sustainable conservation literacy remains under-researched, especially in the context of South Africa. Aim: The study aims to examine the motives, awareness, satisfaction and recommendations of visitors regarding educational engagement programmes offered at a zoo. Setting: The study was conducted at the National Zoological Garden (NZG) in Pretoria, South Africa. Method: In this quantitative study, structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of 102 visitors to the NZG, using a simple random sampling technique. Results: While leisure and entertainment remain the primary reasons for visiting, there is an increasing public interest and engagement with the educational activities offered by the NZG. The high levels of awareness, participation and satisfaction represent the zoo’s potential as an impactful informal learning space. The respondents indicated their desire to engage in more guided educational tours and interactive learning experiences. Conclusion: The study affirms that educational programming is a central element of zoo visits, not a supplementary one. Ultimately, the study recommends that zoos augment their educational role through strategic support and responsive programming. Contribution: The study underscores the dormant educational potential of zoos and recommends that they enhance their role as educational hubs with strong support from the public and strategic opportunities. By highlighting the educational role of zoos in promoting conservation awareness and ethical visitor engagement, the research contributes to sustainable tourism practices and aligns with broader goals of responsible tourism and community well-being.