ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the imprint of urban tourism development is starting to emerge, not only in the metropolitan regions but also in smaller urban settlements in South Africa. It focuses on several themes on tourism in small town South Africa. The chapter analyzes a range of urban tourism initiatives that have developed over the past decade or so. It also focuses on issues such as heritage development and the conservation of the built environment, tourism route development, as well as the hosting of arts and other locally themed festivals and events. The chapter draws to the problematic occurrence of second homes development and emerging processes of tourism-led rural gentrification. It also draws the impact of local economic development planning which often underpins why small towns pursue urban tourism development, as a part, or foundation, of their broader development strategies.
