Skukuza Hotel Progress (Kruger National Park)

[Lisbeth]

Nan, are you colour blind?

[nan]

is not the place to reply... but no, I see a light yellow "square/hotel" and a yellow line (like a "Z") and another one orange and a blue one...

[H. erectus]

Hey, let's not get nasty here!!!

[Mel]

Agree with H.e.

Thanks, leachy!

[Flutterby]

Thanks to all those that attended...much appreciated!

[H. erectus]

Herman Gildenhuys gave me some extra time for submission
of our Minutes reply, re Groenkloof meeting,..

I had to hold back submission in order giving others input
on their meet Skukz should they wish,..to comment,..

Skukuza Safari Lodge correspondence

14 January 2015

Good day Fred

As discussed telephonically, we will provide you with extension until Monday morning, 19th of January 2015, by 8:00am.

Kind regards

Reneé Kruger M. Environmental Management
Environmental Consultant
Tel: +27 (0) 12 751 2160 | FAX: +27 (0) 86 607 2406


Please think of the environment before printing this email.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this email are, unless otherwise stated, those of the author and not of EXIGO or its management. The information is confidential and is intended solely for the addressee
All reasonable steps are taken to insure the accuracy, integrity and confidentiality of information. No liability or responsibility is accepted if information is corrupted or does not reach its intended destination.

[Richprins]

Aha! Now I understand!

[leachy]

one thing that was done differently at the Skukuza meeting was that Glen Phillips presented the SANParks presentation before the presentation by EXIGO

Below is the presentation - excluding the graphs as they are on a PDF file and have no way of copying them.

SANParks Presentation at the Skukuza Public meeting
(excluding graphs)

Vision

A Sustainable South African National Parks connecting to society.

Mission

To develop, expand, manage and promote a system of sustainable national parks that represents biodiversity and heritage assets, through innovation and best practice for the just and equitable benefit of current and future generations.

Challenges for the future.

Tourism revenue generation
Cost of operations
Tourism profitability/surplus
Maintenance and renovation
Human resources and training
Customer service.

SANParks Funding Challenge

12 % Government Grant
88% from Internal Tourism Revenues
SANParks is the only Conservation agency in the World that generates the majority of its own operational funding through Responsible Tourism operations.
Socio Political requirements – SA:
Advent of democratization simply means that since April 1994, the govt is answerable to a larger population – with pressing developmental needs that puts pressure of conservation funding.
Supporting the recently approved National Tourism Strategy objectives
Transformation
Sustainable resource use
Decent work
Rural economic growth


Total revenue as at March 2014

R24 Billion
SANParks Tourism Income
33% Tourism
20% conservation fees
19% Retail Gross profit
12% Operational grants
6% Activities
5% Concession income
5% Other activities

Expenditure

R1.7 Billion as 31 March for 12 Months
53% HR Costs
43% Operating Expenses
4% Admin expenses

Contribution to the economy:

HR Costs R886 million (4046 Permanent, 1154 Contract);
Supply Chain / Procurement R779 million
Revenue generated from the Kruger National Park and the 4 other “profitable” National Parks has to supplement the 15 remaining, equally important National Parks
Grow Government funding?
SANParks to responsibly and sustainably yield all of its assets. SANParks have a few options:
Practice ruthless yield management (push prices up when the demand is high) or
Responsibly expand and diversify its product offering in order to meet its mandate of providing equitable access.

The National Tourism Sector Strategy

To drive the Tourism economy
To enhance visitor experiences
To position South Africa as a destination of choice
To sustain good governance in the industry.

The Next 10 Years

Connections to broader SA Society
Diversify product and experiential offering
Not just a Big 5 destination
Differentiate Parks on natural and cultural attributes
Become SALES focused

Expand commercial operations beyond SANParks

Branding and Merchandising
Activities and experiences
Eco system services
Operate Tourism products outside SANParks
Consulting services (PPP's. Tourism planning)
Host related tourism products for commission.

Guiding Principles and Values.

Provide nature based responsible value-for-money tourism
Build a broad based constituency for conservation
Use Tourism as financial driver without eroding conservation values.

Supporting Strategic Objectives.

Customer focused service excellence
Range of products and services with range of prices.
Yield management for high demand products
Equitable access.

SANParks Market

Visitation Breakdown (2013/14) – Total 5,235 million
South African 76.9%;
Black Visitors 29.4%
Foreign Visitors 23.1%
Germany 27.1%
United Kingdom 11.2%
France 8.7%
USA 8.5%
Netherlands 7.6%

Accommodation Occupancy Rates
SANParks Accommodation 70.9%
SANParks Campsites 45.7%

SANParks vs Tourism Industry

General B&B Self Catering Market in South Africa had an occupancy of 50% in 2013-2014
SANParks had an occupancy of 70.9% in 2013-2014
General camping occupancy rate in South Africa in 2013-2014 was 18.9%
Camping occupancy in SANParks for the same period was 45.7%

SANParks Key Markets

Current Domestic Market
Maintain and Grow
Wild Card
Emerging market
Education
Exposure
Product
International Market
Tour Operators
Website

Visitor Management Protocol

SANParks recently developed a Visitor management protocol based on international best practise, with input from experts in this field of protected area management, which will ensure that current and future visitor impacts on the environment and other users will be controlled and managed in such a way as to mitigate negative impacts and enhance visitor experience.
Visitor Management Protocol addresses the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of:
Numbers, types and speed of vehicles;
How public transportation could be used to manage visitors;
Route limitations;
Closure of certain areas and/or closure of certain areas to certain modes of transport;
Times at which movements can tale place; and
Management of private tour operators and non tourist related transport i.e. delivery vehicles

KNP: Tourism Footprint
IUCN Benchmarks: 10% of Conservation used for Eco- Tourism purposes
Total Land under conservation: 2 million hectares
The current total development footprint is 6, 285 ha translating to less than 1% (Tourism infrastructure, management and tourist roads, staff accommodation and bulk infrastructure.)

KNP Tourism Trends

Number of visitors to KNP has been climbing steadily and now sits at almost 1 600 000 visitors for the period 2013-2014.
Overnight person capacity now sits at 15 900 with 3867 Units.
Contribution to the Economy
Kruger National Park (Internal):
Socio-economic impact of the Kruger National Park:
Total economic impact exceeds R2 billion;
The park contributes to more than 10 000 jobs in the region;
The park provides livelihood for approximately 41 500 people.
(*Source: Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies, 2010, North-West University

Contribution to the Economy

SANParks Public Private Partnerships (PPP) 2014:
12 Concession Lodges, 18 Shops & 18 Restaurants (Outsourced), 16 Activities including TMACC, 5 Contractual Parks and 1 Airport
Strategic Benefits:
Annuity Income: R628 million (as at March 2014)
Infrastructure: R712 million;
Risk Transfer;
Socio-economic:
1,932 additional jobs
BEE Equity = Tourism Charter at minimum;
Guaranteed SMME spend; and
Multiplier economic effects
Environmental
Best practice in Sustainable and environmental management
Improved Investor Confidence/not limited to SANParks

Why the perception that Hotels are so bad?

We already have hotels in National Parks (Golden Gate Hotel)
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
Most of the current camps are essentially Hotel developments with a conference centre, restaurants, swimming pool. Etc.
Bulk services are less costly and have less impact and with the use of new technologies are far more energy efficient.
This development will enable SANParks to attract a new market that will not only help to grow revenue but will expose delegates to conservation who will hopefully become future supporters of the National Parks.
Skukuza facility will be within the existing Rest Camp and will in fact enhance the area that has been designated for this development which is currently occupied by staff housing and 6 chalets that will be demolished.

Recent Development in the KNP

Berg en Dal: Opened in 1984
Units: 94
Beds 343
OCC% 85.6 2013/14
Mopani: Opened 1990
Units 103
Beds 506
OCC% 54.3% 2013/14


Skukuza Safari Lodge

Skukuza is the Flagship of the KNP;
Very close to the Paul Kruger Gate;
Camp enjoys very high occupancies:
The Skukuza camp can currently accommodate 673 guests in 239 units and enjoys an annual room occupancy of 85.4%
Demand exceeds supply.
MICE Market
Allows for SANParks entry – a key focus of area in the National Tourism Strategy
Need for environmental research conference facility
State funded conference facility provided
High occupancies mean there is a requirement for accommodation
Existing accommodation – not conference delegate friendly
Latest technology required
Allows to optimise – existing Skukuza bulk infrastructure and Skukuza Airport
Socio Economic benefits; for the region


Skukuza Safari Lodge

128 keys (256 bed) with a combination of luxury suites, standard rooms and family rooms including universal access
3-star facility and price offering 4-star service
Existing Skukuza tourism camp perimeter next to the conference centre
Disturbed area with minimum impact on existing bungalows
Minimal impact on existing flora
Visual Impact:
Design focussed on creating a lodge-type environment opposed to a hotel
Design to blend in with environment using materials such as thatch in the typical bush style in KNP, alike to conference centre
Limit of 2 levels – Ground and First Floor
Green Building Consultant appointed to implement Green principles, both building and operational aligned to National Minimum Standards for Sustainable Tourism


Skukuza Safari Lodge

Cost Estimate R225 million
Funding from grant funding (Infrastructure Development Programme)
Business model under consideration (operated in-house or management co)
Environmental Considerations:
Existing footprint already affected
Trees to be retained i.e. baobab accommodated in design
Design in H-shape with reception, F&B in middle and rooms facing inwards to minimise impact on camp guests
Buffer zone between existing facilities and lodge
Latest environmentally designs, technology and practises, e.g. rain water harvesting, solar energy, grey water systems etc.
Target market is MICE market as mechanism to broaden the leisure market
Development to create 93 direct jobs, local SMME spend


Project Status

Professional Team appointed September 2013
Investigations carried out by Appointed Consultants
Hotel Operations Consultant appointed November 2013
Design workshop January 2014
Concept Design refined and costed February & March 2014
Stage 2 Concept Design finalised May 2014
Design Development Proceeding
EIA – Basic Assessment Initiated

Project Programme

SANParks Exco Approval May 2014
SANParks Board Concept Approval June 2014
Environmental Application & Approval June 2014–May 2015
Design Development Stage 3 Report November 2014
Construction Documentation Complete May 2015
PBC Tender period Adjudication and Award June – Sept 2015
Construction Commencement October 2015
Construction Completion March 2017
Staff Training, Commissioning March - June 2017
Official Opening June 2017

[Richprins]

The European Ladies and Flutts can do PDFs, leachy? Just mail them?

Or others...

[nan]

I think... I can