Youth tourism in Africa: Evidence from South Africa

Youth tourism is one of the most dynamic elements of the global tourism economy. Key drivers of youth tourism are the segments of backpacking and volunteer tourism. Against the backdrop of international writings on youth tourism-especially of backpacker and volunteer tourism-this article reviews evidence from South Africa, as an example of an emerging destination for youth tourism in Africa. It is argued that the expanding youth tourism economy of South Africa provides opportunities for developing a more responsible tourism as well as for expanding local pro-poor development impacts of the tourism economy.