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Dr. Tonderai Vumbunu (Head of Department)

Dr. Tonderai Vumbunu (Head of Department)

Dr. Tonderai Vumbunu holds a Ph.D. in Tourism Management from North west University (Potchefstroom Campus) in South Africa. Currently, he is the Head of the Travel and Tourism Department in the Faculty of Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism. Tonderai’s research interests and publications mainly focus on Sustainably Diversifying Tourism Products in Developing Countries, Product Development, Tourist Motivation, Destination Development, and Establishing and Strengthening Linkages between Local Communities and Tourism Enterprises.

Over the years he has participated in tourism-related workshops and conferences strongly advocating for effective learner-centered education that produces well-rounded graduates. Tonderai is actively involved in establishing vibrant collaborations with industry stakeholders and other academic institutions focusing on solution-orientated research that improves the quality of tourism products.

About

Department: Travel and Tourism
Faculty: Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism
Campus: Gaborone
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonderai-vumbunu-ba85791b5/
Email: tonderai.vumbunu@bothouniversity.ac.bw
Qualifications:
  • 2020 PhD Tourism Management, North West University (Potchefstroom Campus)
    Topic: A Diversification Framework for Eco-Tourism Products of Botswana
    Link: https://repository.nwu.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10394/34912/Vumbunu%20T%2026331942.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • 2020 Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE), Botho University
  • 2005 MSc in Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Zimbabwe
    Topic: An Investigation into the Decline in Visitation to Chiremba Balancing Rocks Epworth: Harare.
  • 1996 Bachelor of Arts Special Honours in Geography, University of Zimbabwe
    Topic: Market Gardening in Mutasa South Communal Lands: A Case Study of Nyakatsapa Mission Farm and Chimuriwo Village
  • 1995 Bachelor of Arts General, University of Zimbabwe

Affiliations, Honours and Industry/Community Engagement:
Kalahari Conservation Society Member

Research Interests:

Tourism Product Diversification and Development, Sustainable Ecotourism, Agritourism, Destination Management, Community Based Tourism, Tourism Marketing

Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID):https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8468-2007

Research Publications:
  • Vumbunu, T.1& Manyanhaire, I. O2 (2010) Tourists arrivals at Chiremba Balancing Rocks in Epworth, Zimbabwe. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 12 (8)
  • Vumbunu, T., Viviers, P.-A. and Du Plessis, E. (2021). A Demand-Based Analysis of Ecotourism Product Diversification in Botswana. African Journal of Wildlife Research, 51(1), pp.19–41.
  • Vumbunu, T., Viviers, P-A., Du Plessis, E. (2022). Trends and Development of Tourism Product Diversification in Botswana: Lessons Learned. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, (Volume XIII, Summer), 4(60): 1016-1035

Book Chapter

  • Nthoi, O., Vumbunu, T., Lesolle, M., Masala, T., Seabenyane, M & Johwa, T. (2022) Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies book series (SIST, Volume 284) Prospects for Sustainable Tourism Product Diversification: The Creative Industries in Botswana, Springer Nature, Singapore

Teaching and Supervision

  • Sustainable Ecotourism, Front Office and Reservations Operations, Rooms Management 2, Destination Management, Principles of Tourism Management