Browsing by Author "Sucheran, Reshma"

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Assessing the performance of green roofs for stormwater runoff mitigation in the South African urban environment
(Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering, 2021-12-31) Sucheran, Reshma; Sucheran, Arisha
Rapid urbanization has altered the hydrologic cycle, causing increased runoff rates and peak flows in the drainage system. Cities are now facing serious problems relating to stormwater management such as water scarcity, degraded waterways, and increased flooding. Under such circumstances, green roofs present numerous benefits including the retention of rainwater for a longer time and a delay in the peak discharge. Using data from various storm events, this study examined the performance of retrofitted green roofs for stormwater management in the eThekwini region of South Africa. The study also used the Personal Computer Storm Water Management Model (PCSWMM) to investigate the effect that the best performing green roof would have on stormwater flow rates and volumes for the region. The results concluded that the green roof systems proved to significantly reduce stormwater runoff flow rates and volumes, and retention largely depended on the intensity and duration of the rain events. The PCSWMM model further confirmed that when compared to the base model, peak flow rates from the green roof model decreased by over 40% for all storm intensities. It can therefore be concluded that the implementation of green roofs within the eThekwini Central Business District (CBD) will be highly effective in reducing peak stormwater flow rates.
The COVID-19 pandemic and guesthouses in South Africa : economic impacts and recovery measures
(Informa UK Limited, 2021) Sucheran, Reshma
ABSTRACT The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread throughout the globe, and recovering from the pandemic will be a massive test on economic systems. The pandemic has severely affected the accommodation sector as global travel has come to an almost complete standstill as of April 2020. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of the economic impacts of the pandemic on guesthouses in South Africa and the response measures adopted by this sector. Through online surveys, the empirical results show that guesthouse operations were severely disrupted by the pandemic, leading to a critical decline in revenue and a pronounced threat to job security. Despite implementing various response measures and strategies, guesthouses were somewhat concerned about the future of their businesses due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. This research can assist in developing intervention measures to support guesthouses in addressing the economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eco-labels in the tourism sector in South Africa : benefits and barriers
(AFRICAJOURNALS, 2020-01-01) Sucheran, Reshma; Arulappan, Lucinda
The considerable increase in tourism activities over the years equates to notable economic and social benefits. Patent as one of the most emergent sectors of the global economy, the degree and prospect of tourism growth, however, raises concerns on its negative environmental and social impacts. Conserving these environments is of utmost importance as damage to environmental quality can eventually destroy the tourism industry. The launch of eco-labels to environmentally vulnerable tourism organizations and destinations is presently being implemented in many countries in an effort to protect the natural and socio-cultural resources of a destination. A number of eco-labels exist within the tourism industry in South Africa. These eco-labels are anticipated to have a profound effect on the contribution towards sustainable tourism within the country as these are considered to be highly compatible with sustainable tourism initiatives. This study provides an overview of eco-labels in South Africa and examines the benefits and barriers associated with eco-label certification. A quantitative research approach was used, and the data was collected utilizing an online questionnaire. A census sampling approach was used to target 104 tourism businesses in South Africa that have eco-label certification. The key eco-labels targeted in the study were the Blue Flag, Fair Trade in Tourism, Heritage Environmental Management Company, and GreenLine - certified by Heritage. The study revealed that tourism businesses in South Africa do experience several benefits through eco-label certification. However, businesses also encounter many barriers with eco-label certification in terms of high costs associated with being certified, the lack of general public awareness regarding eco-labels and the absence of government support. Consequently, cost reduction, promotion of public awareness as well as government support are the main areas of improvement suggested by tourism establishments with regards to eco-labels.
Global impacts and trends of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cruise sector : a focus on South Africa
(Africajournals, 2021-02-01) Sucheran, Reshma
Cruise tourism is one of the major growth areas of international tourism, and the impact of cruise tourists on a national economy is similar to that of other foreign visitors. The cruise industry has, however, continuously faced exposure to various types of health risks, which can develop into health-related crises, to which both passengers and crew members are vulnerable The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic has reached a critical situation on a global scale and is severely impacting on the global cruise tourism industry. This papers seeks to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cruise tourism industry globally and in South Africa specifically. Desktop research was undertaken to gather data and insights on the unfolding global pandemic and its effect on the cruise sector. Secondary data from various national and international organisations was analysed, as well as current news reports and academic literature. The data indicates that the cruise sector is one of the hardest hit sectors of the tourism industry, and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on this sector is devastating. The data further implies that the future of the cruise industry looks bleak, especially due to the reputational damage the sector is currently faced with.
Graduate employment in tourism and hospitality : attributes and challenges
(2021-09-29) Stemele, Lukhanyo; Sucheran, Reshma
The tourism sector is often promoted as a significant employment generator. However, critical questions are frequently posed in terms of the nature of tourism employment and the numerous challenges faced by employees in this sector. Despite many employment opportunities being occupied by graduates, the sector is known to have limited potential for employment growth and progression. It is also evident that tourism and hospitality graduates tend to have an inaccurate understanding and unrealistic employment expectations of the sector. This study therefore examines the employment traits and challenges of tourism and hospitality graduate employees. A quantitative research design was utilised for the study, and a structured online questionnaire was used to collect empirical data from 133 tourism and hospitality graduates. The graduates were selected from a University of Technology using a stratified random sampling technique. SPSS was used to analyse primary data and generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The key findings of the study revealed that most respondents were currently employed in the tourism and hospitality industry on a full-time basis, many of whom found employment immediately and easily after the completion of their studies. Compared to the tourism and hospitality sector, graduate employees earned higher incomes in other employment sectors. Moreover, it was evident that graduates employed in the tourism and hospitality sector were faced with far more challenges than those that were employed in other industry sectors
Green roofs and stormwater runoff quality in the urban landscape in South Africa
(National Research Council Canada, 2021-06-20) Sucheran, Arisha; Sucheran, Reshma
A number of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), such as green roofs, are being developed and implemented in cities around the world to help reduce stormwater runoff and improve stormwater runoff quality. This study compares the water quality of green roofs with that of conventional roofs in the eThekwini region, South Africa. Samples of stormwater runoff from the different green roof systems on the eThekwini Green Roof Pilot Project were collected to test their level of contaminants and pollutants. The tests focused on all physical, aesthetic, chemical, and microbiological determinants pertaining to stormwater runoff. For all tests, the level of contaminants and pollutants were measured against the South African Water Quality Guidelines Volume 7 for Aquatic Ecosystems. The data revealed significant variations in pollutant concentrations between the green roofs and the conventional roof. Moreover, runoff water quality varied across the various roof types, which may indicate that the substrate composition has the greatest impact on green roof performance regarding rainwater quality. Overall, the results suggest that these green roof systems do not have the ability to filter pollutants out of stormwater runoff, but rather increase their levels of concentration.
Patient satisfaction with foodservice in private hospitals in South Africa
(2021-09-29) Saus, Chad; Sucheran, Reshma
In private healthcare services, patient satisfaction is of special importance to service providers, and the quality of food can influence a patient‟s satisfaction with the total hospital experience. The quality of foodservice is strongly associated with patient satisfaction in hospitals, and most hospital foodservice organisations are changing their focus to patient care in order to boost patient satisfaction. Also, hospital foodservice standards are important in gaining the market share edge in a highly competitive healthcare industry. This study investigates the level of satisfaction with foodservice amongst patients in private hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A quantitative research approach was used for the study, and the data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire that was targeted at patients admitted to various wards at three private hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 275 patients completed the survey. Overall, the study concluded that patients were generally satisfied with the foodservice in the private hospitals, especially with the food equipment and the food serving staff. However, reduced levels of satisfaction was noted with cultural considerations in menu choices and meal serving times. The study offers several recommendations to improve the quality of foodservice in hospitals
Preliminary economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel sector in South Africa
(Africajournals, 2021-01-01) Sucheran, Reshma
Emerging infectious diseases and pandemics place a substantial burden on global economies and public health. The hospitality industry and global health pandemics are fundamentally linked, and the sector is highly vulnerable to pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic (coronavirus) has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the hospitality industry globally, and in particular, the hotel sector. As governments have introduced extraordinary measures to contain the virus, such as travel restrictions and physical distancing, which have brought the hotel sector to a standstill. This paper examines the preliminary economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel sector in South Africa. The data for this paper is based on the hotel sector specifically, and is extracted from a larger dataset that examined the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all accommodation establishments in South Africa. Online surveys were administered to accommodation establishment managers. Approximately 3 000 accommodation establishments were targeted, 482 responded, of which 67 were hotels. The study confirms that the hotel sector in South Africa has experienced severe economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a number of hotels face the risk of bankruptcy and permanent closure. Employment has also been substantially affected by job losses, reduced pay and staff made redundant. Current concerns facing hotels are cash flow, travel restrictions, guest cancellations, low consumer spending, the overall economic uncertainty of the industry, as well as the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.