What's the Value of Biodiversity?

[Peter Betts]

I filled in the survey from the point of view of a RABID self driver and at the end they wanted remarks and I said NO HOTELS and more self drive options and camping in unfenced Kruger camps and SA Citizens to get the same percentage discount as those enjoyed by Namibian citizens in Etosha and Botswana Citizens in Moremi And Zim Citizens in Hwange..At the moment they milk us at the same accommodation rates as an American with Dollars

*Edited by Moderators for unsuitable language*

[Lisbeth]

Apart from the fact the the US$ is very low at the moment, you might have forgotten that foreigners pay the Conservation fee 4 times more than SA citizens. We cannot camp for logistic reasons, so I do think that you should not complain too much

I have noticed that some SA citizens seem to think that the overseas visitors are all rich You are very much mistaken!!

[iNdlovu]

I know how poor you are Lis, with your annual trips to exotic foreign places etc
In all our surrounding countries, local citizens pay a lot less that SADC members and a lot less than overseas visitors and I'm not just talking about conservation fees. The big discount includes vehicle entry fees, people entry fees and accommodation costs. Then we have the local community charge where we are paying in taxes as well. I would still like to see a balance sheet that shows what has happened to this money that Sanparks has been collecting.

[nan]

expensive or cheaper.... foreigners let a lot in Kruger... as you know

[iNdlovu]

For sure they do nan and we welcome everybody with open arms, all that's being said is that maybe locals should get a bit of a discount as some of our tax money already goes there.

[nan]

that it's normal, is your heritage... it's the same here and certainly in all the world

what is not normal... a lot of people who would like to visit the park are without job = no money
and here is the big problem... how win money

[Richprins]

A lot of people make a daily living from tourists visiting the Park, before the tourists enter the Park, and have been perfectly aware of that for decades!

The estimated figures are huge!

[Lisbeth]

Lack of interest!!
If a person is not interested in going to the park you cannot force them.....unless you give them a free entrance ticket and pay them for the time they are "loosing".

[Toko]

Spurwing Tourism Services: Commercial value of the Big Five

Here are some findings of the study:

South Africa’s Big Five is much better for the country than previously thought.


A leopard that lives for 15 years contributes more than R85 million to the state coffers.

That’s the finding of a study conducted by the research institute Tourism Research, Economics, Environment and Society (Trees) of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus which was commissioned by SANParks. Prof. Melville Saayman of Trees and the lead researcher said yesterday that eco-tourism and especially the Big Five were invaluable for South Africa.

Hunters know exactly what a wild animal is worth, but the value of the same animal in a national park had not yet been determined. The organization “Trees” in a recently published study found that tourists are willing to pay more than R3 500 to view the Big Five in the Kruger National Park. The research team found a small family of three people spent about R10 000 for a four-day visit to the Kruger National Park. The researchers questioned about 600 visitors to the park.

The visitors were asked to indicate how much of their holiday money they would spend to see the Big Five. According to the results they are willing to pay on average R1 136.43 to see a leopard, R1 007.17 for a lion, R753, 12 a rhinoceros, R658, 91 for an elephant and R498, 50 for buffalo. Saayman pointed out the average lifespan of a leopard is estimated at 15 years and if 5 000 people saw the animal annually, this is an R85 232 250 contribution to the economy.

“The Kruger National Park attracts over a million visitors per year and this income supports between 300 000 and 600 000 people who live in the park’s surrounding areas,” Saayman said. The team conducted research at Punda Maria in the north of the Park and the Olifants Letaba and Mopani Rest Camp. Saayman said it is clear from the research that eco-tourism is a major job creator and that it makes a tremendous contribution to the public purse.

The findings can be very positive consequences for wildlife conservation organizations and private reserves. From a marketing standpoint, the addition of the Big Five to more parks and private game reserves is a highly attractive bait for visitors Saayman said.

So be sure to include the prospects of sighting the Big 5 in your proposals to prospective clients, as this is one of the major attractions that Africa has to offer our international visitors.

[Sprocky]

Please tell me this is a joke!!