The Role of Tourism in the Trade Relations Between China and South Africa
Keywords:
Tourism Economics; China–South Africa Relations; South–South Cooperation; Bilateral Trade; Soft Power; Global South DevelopmentAbstract
While the historical interactions between these two nations have predominantly focused on commodities trade, infrastructure investment, and manufacturing exchanges, the tourism sector now plays a crucial role in enhancing foreign exchange earnings, expanding the service sector, generating investment spillovers, fostering cultural diplomacy, and facilitating long-term economic integration. The contemporary landscape of South–South economic cooperation is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, with tourism emerging as a pivotal structural catalyst within the Beijing–Pretoria axis. While historical engagements were primarily anchored in the extraction of primary commodities and heavy industrial financing, the current paradigm shift positions the tourism sector as a sophisticated engine for foreign exchange stabilization and service-sector diversification. This research deploys an interdisciplinary analytical lens—integrating international political economy with developmental sociology—to dissect the multidimensional impact of tourism mobility on bilateral trade balances, FDI trajectories, and the empowerment of SME ecosystems. The evidence suggests that tourism functions not merely as a peripheral leisure activity but as a strategic bridge for geopolitical synchronization across the Global South. The study concludes by advocating for a governance model rooted in digital transformation and BRICS-centric sustainable development.
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