PHOTO
OF
SPEAKER
THE VALUE OF WILDLIFE TOURISM
AND HOW CAN GAME FARMERS
POSITION THEMSELVES?
PROF PEET VAN DER MERWE
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY
POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT
TREES (TOURISM RESEARCH IN ECONOMICS,
ENVIRONS AND SOCIETY)
LAY OUT
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Introduction
Size and value of the wildlife tourism industry
Why tourists travel to a wildlife-based destination?
How to create a memorable wildlife experience?
Accommodation preferences
Activity preferences
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
What is wildlife tourism?
• Based on encounters with non-domestic animals
• Either with animals in “captivity” or “natural environment”
• Non-consumptive (game viewing) and consumptive (hunting/fishing)
What is ecotourism?
• Undisturbed or protected areas: flora, fauna and geology
• Experiencing the local cultures
• Natural history of an area
• Contributes towards the visited - labour or financial means
• Implies a managed approach
• Tourists - must experience and learn about nature
• Environmentally responsible travel
• Non-consumptive
SIZE AND VALUE OF THE WILDLIFE TOURISM
INDUSTRY
• Tourism is globally the largest industry
• 80% of all tourist to SA partake in some form of wildlife
tourism
• 75% of all tourists to South African National Parks are
domestic tourists
• Besides recreation and entertainment, nature–based
second most important activity(Domestic Tourism Survey
2015)
• Most stay 2 nights or more
• A large percentage of SA wildlife – on private land
• According to Van Hoven (2014:101) a total of 16 million
hectares versus 5.5 million of provincial/national parks
WHO IS THE ECO/WILDLIFE TOURIST?
Domestic
• Afrikaans and English speaking
• Middle age (35-49 years of age)
• Well educated (degree, diploma)
• Married
• Gauteng / Western Cape
• Large percentage prefer self-catering
• Group size 2-4 persons
• Length of stay 2-4 nights
International
• USA and Europe - biggest markets
• Middle-aged
• Highly educated professionals
• Moderate to high income
• FIT's: Free and independent travellers (50% travel independent)
• Making own reservations
• Stays longer than
• Groups size 2-4 persons
WHY DO TOURISTS TRAVEL TO A WILDLIFEBASED DESTINATION?
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Relaxation and escape (main reason for all travelling)
Nature
Wildlife
Photography
To learn about nature
Family and friends
Socialization
Activities
Attractions
HOW TO CREATE A MEMORABLE WILDLIFE
EXPERIENCE?
ACCOMMODATION PREFERENCES
Different categories:
• Safari accommodation: tented camps/safari tents, log
cabins
• Serviced-accommodation (Lodge)
• Self-service accommodation (Chalets)
Camping:
• Convenience: own ablution, water, electricity
• Exclusivity
• Limit stands
• Close to nature
ACCOMMODATION PREFERENCES
• NB aspects:
• Value for money, Local and more traditional,
Embrace in ecological alternative
• Comfort and natural:
• Close to viewable wildlife, fit in to natural
surrounding, no human noise (traffic), out side
cooking area
• Décor:
• different units different décor, local made, bath and
shower
• Scale: fewer numbers
• Basic amenities: stoep / porch and braai areas
ACTIVITIES PREFERENCES: SOFT ADVENTURE
ACTIVITIES PREFERENCES: HARD ADVENTURE
CONCLUSION
• Tourism, largest industry in the world
• More specific, wildlife tourism is an important market
• There is more than hunting and breeding for game
farmers
• This will assist game farmers in developing products
for wildlife tourism
• NB- to zone farm if both hunting and eco/wildlife
tourism takes place
Thank you
Contact Details
[email protected]
018 299 1812