Factors determining the demand for water recreation in the middle Olifant sub-basin: A case study of Loskop Recreation Centre in South Africa.

Abstract

The Middle Olifant Sub-Basin is one of the water stressed basins in South Africa, and competition for water among the population is one of the biggest challenges faced in the area. With the little water that the area has, it has to meet the demand for water use among small rural users, urban users, mines, industries, large-scale agriculture, forestry, and eco-tourism. The dissertation aims to identify the factors that determine the demand for water recreation in the Middle Olifant Sub-Basin, and to evaluate the relationship between the number of trips and the costs to the recreation site. One recreation site was selected for the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 48 respondents from the study site. Data was collected from 48 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The data analysis using Descriptive Statistics and Multiple Linear Regression showed that there are factors that determine the demand for water recreation. According to the results obtained from the Multiple Linear Regressions, water level in Loskop Dam and the race of the respondents are positively significant t, while fuel cost, type of transport, increase in water and the number of days stayed at the site were negatively significant. It was also found that most of the people who participate in water recreation at the site are white people. The demand curve from the Travel Cost Model also indicated that people who pay less for water recreation visit the site more often as compared to those who pay higher costs. This is confirmed by the law of demand, which states that; the higher the price of a given product at a time the lower the quantity demanded. The above findings give an indication that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry should consider issues around water recreation when distributing water and its resources. Eco- tourism too, has to make sure that it provides information about the importance of water recreation in order to attract more people and to stimulate growth of the Tourism sector. Furthermore the study highlights that the water recreation policy in South Africa should also be effective in order to encourage more developments in water recreation.