2005/2006 - SANParks

2006South African National ParksA significant element of SANParks ecotourism pillar is theCommercialisation Strategy (which through the implementation ofPublic Private Partnerships) aims to reduce the cost of delivery,improving service levels by focusing on core business and leveragingprivate capital and expertise as well as the objective of expansionof tourism products and the generation of additional revenue for thefunding of conservation and constituency building. As a result of thesuccessful implementation and excellent contract management,the Strategic Plan for Commercialisation of the organisation is onethat continues to give us a sense of comfort as it continues to yieldexpected results.Declining and aging infrastructure has dogged our operations andthe tourism experience. This will soon be corrected through a verygenerous lump sum investment by government over a period ofthree years. This, together with continued fi nancial support for ourvery well run, Poverty Relief programmes (now the Extended PublicWorks Programme) should greatly enhance the tourism experienceand modernise our infrastructure.The new NEMA: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 comes with anumber of changes to the management of national parks and willpose a number of challenges to the organisation in the new fi nancialyear. Some of the requirements of the Act will have specifi c fi nancialand other resource implications. SANParks continues to work closelywith the Minister in trying to fi nd a lasting solution to the challenge ofmanaging elephants in national parks for biodiversity. Neighbouringcommunities have become key stakeholders in the process. We hopefor a solution soon.It is with pride and joy that I present you the 2005/2006 annual reportof South African National Parks. The theme for the new fi nancial yearis “Know Your National Parks”, let the country take us up on thischallenge and show us just how much they know and take pride intheir natural heritage. To the Chief Executive, Executive Managementand the staff I would like to encourage you to continue providing theexcellent service to our country and to thank you for the fi rst classwork done so far.Despite these challenges, the organisation has been making concertedefforts to grow the tourism business, through introduction of severalmarketing strategies whilst also implementing a tourism growthstrategy. I am proud to announce that this strategy yielded a growthin black tourism statistics from 3% in 2003 to approximately 19%at the end of the reporting period. Overall tourism accommodationin growth to national parks is showing an overall average growth,recording a growth in occupancies from 64,7% to 66% in the lastreporting period.Cheryl CarolusCHAIRPERSON5