The self regulation of open safari vehicles (OSVs) in the Kruger National Park was launched as a joint initiative between SANParks and the Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) on May 10.
SANParks Managing Executive, Tourism Development and Marketing, Glen Phillips, said the open safari vehicle industry had been identified as an area that required better regulation, safety and monitoring. He said SANParks had worked closely with SATSA and the adventure tourism industry during the past year to formulate a self-regulation model that he believed was sustainable and would drive growth and transformation.
SANParks has over 250 open safari vehicles owned by private businesses operating within the Kruger. “These operators contribute significantly to SANParks’ revenue while offering tourists a unique game viewing opportunity. In an effort to not only regulate but also strengthen this sector, SANParks has recognised that the self-regulation model would best suit OSV operation in the park and we look forward to full implementation of this model which can also be duplicated throughout the adventure industry,” Phillips said.
“Drawing on the approach begun with the National Department of Tourism around self-regulation of the adventure tourism industry nationally, we mooted this as a possible solution and it was welcomed by senior SANParks executives. It is envisaged that following a successful launch in KNP, the modality can be rolled out to other SANParks areas,” said David Frost, CEO of SATSA.
The new permit fee includes a transformation contribution from every operator. Furthermore, a Transformation Task Team will identify relevant projects with clear focus on sustainability and rural community beneficiation, with the objectives of imparting business management skills and providing greater market access. The aim is to develop a project that provides real business impact.
The announcement was made at SANParks’ exhibition stand at the Tourism Indaba held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from May 8 to 11.
