Skukuza Hotel Progress (Kruger National Park)

[H. erectus]

Link to what?

The minutes we received from the EIP for review,..re Skuks,..
I have included my concerns and re adjusted some mis-understanding
hence will soon have to reply,..got extended permission, remember,
however before I do so I would like you all to read the document!!!!!

A post here on this forum?

Yes!!!!,....as altered for their perusal,...and input into the BAR findings,
draft report,....

[H. erectus]

That' it , no more,... will cc all that I have in address book when I reply>..
Thanks for the patience,...

[leachy]

episode 2.........

We asked GP if it is true that many of the concessions are struggling to fill their beds.
He replied that it is not true and that the concessions are experiencing a favourable occupancy rate.

In response to the statement in the SP presentation that

"Hotel style development such as is proposed in Malelane and at Skukuza will have a far smaller footprint than that of a traditional rest camp. Mopani= 30 ha versus Skukuza Safari Lodge = 1,5ha"

We replied that it is not the footprint that is of concern but rather the fact that they are taking 2 Mopani camps and compacting them into an area which is 20 times smaller than 1 Mopani camp and this is sure to put a burden on the electrical, water and sewage infrastructure.

In response to the SP statement regarding the
MICE Market
"Allows for SANParks entry – a key focus of area in the National Tourism Strategy
Need for environmental research conference facility "

We mentioned that we believe that the modern trend in conferencing was "Virtual Conferencing" and that the need for a conference venue was becoming out dated.

GP and EXIGO both responded that management and training could only be done on a personal and physical interaction basis.

[Flutterby]

Thanks for all your feedback leachy.

[Richprins]

Thanks, leachy!



GP also made a statement that people will continue to visit KNP regardless of how much SP raise the prices of the accommodation.


GP must remember these words well, especially in the light of the following:


We asked GP if it is true that many of the concessions are struggling to fill their beds.
He replied that it is not true and that the concessions are experiencing a favourable occupancy rate.



The expensive concessions achieve nowhere near optimum occupancy...why else would a concession representative have been at the meeting, if the supply of tourists were indeed endless?

[leachy]

After the question and answer session regarding the SP presentation.
EXIGO had their specialist presentation.
At the end we posed the following questions:

1. Is there any chance that the lodge might be privatised at any time in the future?

Yes the possibility exists.

2. Who will do the catering at the lodge?

SANParks

Considering that SP has just recently managed to get rid of the burdon of catering is this not stupid to do the same thing again and expect different results?

SANParks has not catered since 2008

So do you beleive that they have now learnt to cater during that time?

We will employ competent people in this field.

3. With the planned outsourcing of the laundry will this take place in Skukuza or will this happen outside the park?

The ideal is for it to happen outside the park as Skukuza laundry currently handles laundry from a number of other rest camps which is a logistical burden and it would be better to have these vehicle leaving the park with this laundry.

4. Will the accommodation costs in the lodge be higher than the cost of the chalets?

Yes

5. May the delegates to a conference stay in the chalets in Skukuza?

Yes, however, it is envisaged that accommodation in the lodge will be part of the delegates fees which are usually covered by the delegates employer. Should the delegate decide to stay in the rest camp accommodation it will not be part of the delegates fees and therefore probably be for the delegates own cost.

6. May the delegates travel to the conference in their own cars.

Yes, however, all effort will be made to sell the conferences as a package deal which will include a park and ride from Paul Kruger Gate and Games drives in SP vehicles during "free time"

7 Will the general public be allowed to stay in the lodge?

Yes, but the accommodation will not be available on the booking system 12 months in advance as is the case with other accommodation.
Booking for non conference goers in the lodge will probably only be available on the booing system about three months in advance.

8. Will all delegates have to pay conservation fees?

Yes. It will be included in their conference fees.

9. Will political parties be allowed to use the lodge and conference centre and will they also have to pay up-front like all other users?

Yes, anyone may use the centre and the lodge and yea they will have to pay up-front like everyone else.

10. Are there any restrictions on the type of function that may take place at the centre?
For instance may I have a wedding or a birthday bash at the centre?

Any type of event may take place at the centre but they will be subject to the rules and regulations laid down in the SP guidelines. For example if you have a wedding in the Park the only amplified music that may be played is "The Wedding March".

All other music that is played has to be "un plugged" and not played over any amplified system and may not be heard after 21:30.

There are also rules governing the performance of any cultural/indigenous music which restricts it to certain areas and certain times in the rest camp.

11. The building of this Safari lodge will increase the value of the property in Skukuza and in turn increase the rates and taxes that are supposedly due to the local municipality.
Have these costs been considered and where will the revenue come from to cover this cost?

This matter of SP having to pay money to the municipalities that supposedly exist in the National parks is under review in Parliament. SP firmly believe that the municipalities will have no right to charge SP for anything. All municipal accounts are being ignored by SP and all previous debts have been written off.

[Richprins]

1. Is there any chance that the lodge might be privatised at any time in the future?

Yes the possibility exists.

dup came up with this question, and it is a very good one!

As SP claim that government money is being used for the hotel, selling it will give SP a 100% profit...very neat!

[H. erectus]

Dear Greenies

Please read the attached pdf - my reply to the MINUTES FOR THE PRETORIA SKUKUZA SAFARI LODGE BAR PUBLIC MEETING

Skukuza minutes reply.pdf

(958.28 KiB) Downloaded 19104 times

[Toko]

Great idea to add the photos, H. erectus! The increasing visitor numbers are one of the major concerns.


H. erectus and also leachy and team!

[H. erectus]

Thanks Toks, your'e a superstar,..

Wow I'm just about ready for phase two,....