3.

1 Descriptive of location of study

This study is conducted in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Province in west of the

Lebombo Mountains on the Mozambique border. Kruger National Park is in the city
called Mbombela(southern) Phalaborwa(central) in Limpopo Province. Kruger
National Park is in the northeastern part of South Africa, bordering Mozambique.

Approximately 20 000 square kilometers(7700 square miles), making it one of the

largest game reserves in Africa. Diverse, including savannas, grasslands, and forest.
Climate is subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. Kruger National Park is
one of South Africa’s most iconic and popular tourist destinations. Home to an
incredible diversity of wildlife, including Big Five. A significant contributor to South
Africa’s economy and conservation efforts. The Kruger National Park has been
severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant decline in tourism
and revenue( Gertenbach,1983).

According to Bakar(2020), Limpopo’s economy relies heavily on tourism, making it a

critical sector for study. The tourism industry in Limpopo was severely affected, with
a need to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 recovery plans. Limpopo’s tourism
industry is representative of other rural and urban areas in South Africa, making the
study’s findings potentially generalizable.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

A mixed-methods research design would be suitable for studying the effects of

COVID-19 on the tourism industry in Limpopo. This design allows for the collection
of both numerical data and in-depth insights, providing a comprehensive
understanding of effects of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in Limpopo. A mixed-
methods design is a research approach that combines both qualitative and
quantitative methods to collect and analyze data. In Quantitative methods, survey
research: Online or paper-based surveys to collect data from tourism businesses,
employees, and tourists. Statistical analysis: Analyze data on tourism revenue, visitor
numbers, and employment rates pre- and post- COVID-19.

In Qualitative methods, Semi-structured interviews: in-depth interviews with tourism

stakeholders, business owner, and employees to gather insights into their experience
and perceptions. Content analysis: analyze news articles, social media posts and
government reports to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry
in Limpopo.
REFERENCES

Bakar, N.A., 2020. Effects of Coronavirus disease(COVID-19) to tourism industry.

Gertenbach, W.D., 1983. Landscape of the Kruger National Park. Koedoe, 26(1),
pp.9-121.