ECO-TOURISM provides about 75% or R445m of SANParks annual income, says executive director tourism & marketing, Glenn Philips. Speaking at the official opening of Silvermine Tented Camp in the Cape Peninsula recently, he said activities such as hiking trails provided R33,5m or 7,5% of this income and private concession 12%, the rest being derived from accommodation and conservation fees. Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) alone provided R54m or 12% of SANParks’ total revenue and thus was a major promoter of all national parks and an icon for South Africa. He said in developing new products, TMNP was taking the lead and setting the standard in providing what new-style, environmentally aware tourists were looking for. Brought to you by TravelHub… Hilka Birns
