Affairs and Tourism, delivered at the 2007 Kudu Awards, Pretoria
21 May 2007
Our National Parks lie at the centre of our South African character. They
reflect and strengthen our sense of place; they protect and support our
unmatched biodiversity; and increasingly they anchor growth, job creation, and
hope through tourism for our communities.
South African National Parks (SANParks) boasts 22 national parks with a
combined terrestrial and aquatic estate of four million hectares. This estate
encompasses at least four transfrontier parks, all of which involve
international treaties with no less than five neighbouring countries.
This estate also includes the iconic Kruger National Park and two World
Heritage Sites: versus Mapungubwe National Park and the Table Mountain National
Park (included under the Cape Floristic Kingdom). National parks under
SANParks' jurisdiction receive more than 3,4 million visitors annually.
Tourism
The 2007 SANParks Kudu Awards takes place hot on the heels of the 2007 South
Africa Tourism Indaba which ended in Durban just last week. This year's Indaba
was attended by a record number of visitors and exhibitors and surpassed the
anticipated 12 000 visitor mark.
South Africa's tourism statistics tell a very impressive story that speaks
to the success of our country in capturing the interest of the world and
capitalising on that interest by attracting ever increasing numbers of
international tourists. Nearly 8,4 million international tourists visited South
Africa in 2006. We attracted over a million more tourists in 2006 than in
2005.
Looking back over a longer time period, you can clearly see how much we have
achieved. In 1993, just 13 years ago, we had just over three million visitors.
In order to keep tourists coming to South Africa our undertaking to the world
must be one of exceptional quality, unrivalled experiences, and world-beating
value-for-money. Our shared responsibility is to ensure and to demand tourism
products that sustain and support our communities, our environment and our
future.
2010 SANParks is going to be among major role players in the provision of a
total 'African World Cup' experience to the thousands of visitors expected to
attend the 2010 World Cup.
SANParks has already signed up with Federation International Football
Association (FIFA) match to provide accommodation units for utilisation during
the World Cup. Furthermore, the organisation is also exploring the option to
sell packages, through MATCH which will ensure that the visitors not only go to
soccer matches, but also take time off to visit and experience the splendour
and beauty of our national parks.
In the event that SANParks is called on to provide more accommodation units
than are currently available in its inventory, the organisation has made
provisions to erect, at short notice, tented accommodation to meet any demands
that may be placed on the facilities. Provision of services in national parks
throughout the 2010 World Cup tournament will occur with very minimal
disruption to domestic visitors, who remain the organisation's backbone.
Kudu Awards
The Kudu Awards is an excellent way of emphasising the importance of the
value of our human capital and recognising men, women and institutions who have
been contributing of their time, ideas, resources and many other useful and
creative ways to ensure the success of conservation in our country.
Countries the world over are facing challenges in terms of managing their
natural heritage because of scarcity of resources. Conservation is a worthwhile
business though a very expensive one. This is the business of forever and you
do not get into such a business expecting to derive profits, because profits
are by their nature exhaustive.
South African National Parks is probably one of very few organisations in
the world who are able to generate a sizeable income from their tourism
operations, to subsidise conservation. This is not always enough and to have
you assisting us in such a commendable way is something that should be
welcomed.
Thank you to one and all of you. Enjoy the evening!
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
21 May 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
