Conservation NGOs welcome return of nature tourism

The Wilderness Foundation Africa, Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa, BirdLife South Africa and Endangered Wildlife Trust say the phased reopening of the nature-based tourism sector will provide a timely boost to the economy.

“We believe that nature-based tourism not only offers guests the opportunities to have enjoyable, safe and healthy leisure time but is one of the few sectors that stands to revitalise our economy and bring much-needed income back into South African households in the short term,” the organisations said in a statement.

Endangered Wildlife Trust CEO Yolan Friedmann says the lockdown had a devastating impact on low-skilled staff.

“This is one of the sectors that was hit hard as this was the longest lockdown, it is not just a loss of income to the park agencies, but the low-skilled communities that are less likely to find alternative employment.

“We are the biggest employer of unskilled people, especially women in the rural environment across the country and those women are supporting five to ten individuals so the knock-on effect of the lost income to this groups has been more significant than in another sector.”

The South African National Parks CEO Fundisile Mketeni says they appreciate that South Africans are keen to get back into nature.

"We appreciate that after four months of confinement, the public is keen to engage with nature. However, we are obligated to ensure that the opening of our national parks for accommodation is done under the strictest health protocols to safeguard both our staff and guests.”

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