Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

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Rate The rate that would be charged was discussed. The original proposal to British Council indicated a rate of about E200. It was put forward that the limit for the South African tourism market would be about R250. Economies of scale were discussed, and the opinion expressed that a lodge charging a rate of E200+ must have at least 30-40 beds in order to be sustainable. Services and Activities Questions were raised about what kinds of services would be offered, the types of finishing touches for the tourism development, and whether the rate would be inclusive or exclusive of certain charges or additional expenses. The self-catering and catering (restaurant) options were also discussed. No final decision was taken. The planning of the tourism development and related activities was discussed. Possibilities for related activities were raised, and included visits to traditional healers, and learning about the social structures in Shewula. The importance of the link between community and nature, as a selling point and marketable asset for the Shewula tourism development, was emphasised. Access, especially the road The access for the tourism development was discussed. The expense of extending the main road in Shewula to the tourism development site was noted, although the road could be upgraded, depending on where the site is. The costs of improvernents to and maintenance of the road was raised, and the importance of putting in better drainage along the main road in Shewula was noted. There was a query as to whether access costs were included in the original proposal. The time that it takes to travel by road from Maphiveni to the centre of Shewula was established to be about 45 minutes. There was a query regarding the possibility of providing access to the Shewula area from the road that goes past Mbuluzi and Mlawula. The idea of having a gateway to the Lubombo Conservancy on this road was raised, together with the possibility that entrance fees that allow access to all Conservancy reserves be charged at this gateway. The choice of access is, however, very much dependent upon the site selected for the development. Site The assets of the proposed site, including scenery, views and proximity to the river, were discussed, and the need to look at alternative sites highlighted. The importance of avoiding direct competition with other reserves, such as Mbuluzi, was noted. The bottom site was discussed. It was estimated that it would take approximately one and a half-hours to climb to the top of the escarpment, to the Shewula community. This could be one of a number of hiking trails and circular routes on Shewula Reserve. The possibility of driving around, from a site near to river, up to the top of the Shewula community was raised as an alternative. It was suggested that if the chosen site for the tourism development was to be the bottom site, then the only feasible market would be upmarket, in which case is there enough funding, and are the assets attractive enough viii
If the tourism development site were to be on top, it was felt that the tourism development could have a more 'rustic' feel, appealing to a more 'relaxed' market, such as backpackers and/or eco-cultural tourists. The appeal of such a development was identified as the opportunity to live in and with the community. Tourism development facilities The issue of power and its provision was discussed. No final decision was taken. Water provision The possibility of using boreholes was raised, although the problem with boreholes in the Shewula area is the rapid calcification that occurs. Springs are another possibility. The size of the camp, and occupancy rates, were raised as factors that would affect the water consumption at the lodge. Private Sector involvement The possibility of private sector involvement in the project was raised. Issues discussed in this regard include obtaining input from the private sector into the design and planning for the tourism development, while providing the social parameters that must be respected and at the same time not pre-empting private sector creativity. The possibility of putting the project out to tender, or inviting interest from the private sector for partnership was discussed. In this regard, the possibility of the community having 50% equity in such a venture was put forward. Such equity would comprise: • The E310,000 available from the British Council; • The community's land; • Access to the tourism development. Another alternative that was raised, was to use a portion of the British Council funding, say E100,000, to develop a backpackers lodge, and then to invest the remainder which could be used as a financial incentive / collateral for a larger tourism development in future. In this regard, the time constraints for development and the importance of lowering the risk of failure as much as possible were emphasised, with the opinion being expressed that this alternative could be a solution to the existing constraints. General • The possibility of having zones in the Shewula Reserve was raised. These zones would represent different forms of land use, such as grazing, tourism development, wilderness, etc. • There was a question as to whether the tourism development was expected to support the Shewula Reserve, and if so whether this was a viable option. • The possibility of inviting interest from and/or involving the LSDI in such plans was raised. • The turn around time that is required before a private operator can make a profit was discussed. • The importance of spatial planning, and using a stakeholder participatory process for planning was emphasised. • The possibility of extending the strategic tourism development plan that has been carried out for Hlane RNP or a plan for the Conservancy to include the Shewula area was raised. • The need for a conservation management plan was noted. ix
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A Feasibility Study of the Proposed
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would
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2.3. Biophysical Context ..........
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6.1.4. Conclusions ................
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Box 9.1 Figure 6.1. Consideration o
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
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Executive Summary INTRODUCTION The
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Executive Summary The findings of t
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Executive Summary Positive aspects:
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Executive Summary • Tourism input
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Chapter 1 - Introduction This chapt
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1.2. Des
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Chapter 1 - Introduction Objective
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Chapter 1 - Introduction It has bec
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Chapter 1 - Introduction • Local
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Chapter 1 - Introduction Sustainabl
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.4.2.2. G
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Chapter 1 - Introduction A particip
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.5.2.3. I
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inevitably lost. In some instances,
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the translation that occurred durin
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2.1. INTRODUCTION This chapter prov
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Chapter 2 • Situational Assessmen
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Although the reserve is relatively
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Chapter 2 ■ Situational Assessmen
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parks and reserves. As SNTC oversee
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2.4.3.4. British Council The Britis
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2.4.4.3. Economic support structure
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One of the transfrontier initiative
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The iNcwala or 'first fruits' cerem
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These political changes have eroded
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Chapter 2 - Situational Assessment
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Chapter 2 - Situational Assessment
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Chapter 3 - An Initial Assessment o
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3.5. RECOMMENDATIONS The recommenda
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4.2.2. Positive reactions At two of
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4.4. PROBLEMS This section presents
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and therefore how the benefits to t
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c) Re-establishment of game The bel
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) Indirect income generation Sugges
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Chapter 4 ■ Socio-Cultural Findin
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4.6.2. Requirements for successful
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Chapter 4 - Socio-Cultural Findings
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4.8.1.4. Schools • Schools need t
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iome of these assumptions will have
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Chapter 4 ■ Socio-Cultural Findin
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Chapter 5 - Environmental Evaluatio
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Chapter 6 - Tourism, Marketing and
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Chapter 6 - Tourism, Marketing and
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