National parks play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and promoting tourism; however, the rise in tourism raises concerns about its environmental impact. This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly altering tourists’ preferences and behaviours. To assess visitor sentiments towards these camps, the study used sentiment analysis of 164 online reviews from Trip Advisor. The findings were positive, with high ratings for camp locations, particularly those near riverbanks that offered breathtaking wildlife views. However, challenges with infrastructure maintenance, service quality, and cleanliness were noted, particularly in older camps such as Pretoriuskop. This study recommends enhancing maintenance schedules, improving service delivery, and upgrading infrastructure to meet modern standards. Additionally, it suggests integrating renewable energy solutions and improving Internet connectivity to enhance the overall tourist experience. Addressing the challenges various camps face is crucial in ensuring that Kruger National Park maintains a competitive edge over competition from private players within and outside the park. To achieve this, park management must commit seriously to capital investment, given the existing tourism market. The study recommends improved customer engagement on social media platforms to address potential service failure in the post-COVID-19 era. These insights are crucial for park management in planning and improving visitor experiences at Kruger National Park.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Visitor Experiences in Kruger National Park Camps: A Sentiment Analysis of Camp Reviews Post-COVID-19

  • Kaitano Dube

摘要

National parks play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and promoting tourism; however, the rise in tourism raises concerns about its environmental impact. This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly altering tourists’ preferences and behaviours. To assess visitor sentiments towards these camps, the study used sentiment analysis of 164 online reviews from Trip Advisor. The findings were positive, with high ratings for camp locations, particularly those near riverbanks that offered breathtaking wildlife views. However, challenges with infrastructure maintenance, service quality, and cleanliness were noted, particularly in older camps such as Pretoriuskop. This study recommends enhancing maintenance schedules, improving service delivery, and upgrading infrastructure to meet modern standards. Additionally, it suggests integrating renewable energy solutions and improving Internet connectivity to enhance the overall tourist experience. Addressing the challenges various camps face is crucial in ensuring that Kruger National Park maintains a competitive edge over competition from private players within and outside the park. To achieve this, park management must commit seriously to capital investment, given the existing tourism market. The study recommends improved customer engagement on social media platforms to address potential service failure in the post-COVID-19 era. These insights are crucial for park management in planning and improving visitor experiences at Kruger National Park.