SayPro, in partnership with Erasmus+, is advancing collaborative research between South African universities and their European counterparts on tourism development and policy. This initiative focuses on evidence-based policy formulation, sustainable destination planning, and inclusive tourism growth. SayPro coordinates academic exchanges and joint research initiatives that allow faculty and students to explore global tourism models and apply relevant insights locally. Through these collaborations, South African institutions gain access to advanced research methodologies, policy frameworks, and data-driven decision-making strategies. The Erasmus+ partnership is instrumental in reshaping how tourism policy is taught, developed, and implemented in South Africa.
Participating universities collaborate on research topics such as rural tourism, heritage site management, tourism resilience post-COVID-19, and community-based tourism. SayPro ensures that each research project is grounded in real-world issues facing South African tourism and that findings are shared with policymakers. The Erasmus+ framework enables academic mobility, joint conferences, and co-authored publications, fostering strong relationships between European and South African scholars. SayPro facilitates knowledge transfer through workshops and policy labs, helping translate academic research into actionable recommendations for local tourism authorities and development agencies.
SayPro believes that strengthening university-level research on tourism is critical to long-term sector growth. By leveraging Erasmus+ partnerships, SayPro empowers academic institutions to play a leading role in tourism planning and regulation. Universities involved in the program are better equipped to offer advanced degrees in tourism policy, attract research funding, and contribute to national development agendas. SayPro also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration by linking tourism researchers with experts in economics, environmental science, and urban planning to promote holistic solutions for tourism challenges.
To scale this initiative, SayPro plans to launch a “Tourism Policy Research Hub” that will serve as a national platform for collaboration, innovation, and policy dialogue. The hub will showcase Erasmus+-supported research and facilitate continuous engagement between academia, government, and industry. Through these actions, SayPro ensures that tourism development in South Africa is informed, inclusive, and internationally competitive. Erasmus+ has become a catalyst for elevating research standards and fostering a culture of strategic tourism planning that benefits communities and the broader economy.