KZN#27

Sports
Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail
38
Festival provides vital cash
injection to local economy
The Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival is the turnkey event that helps attract visitors to the Karkloof region that
inject over R200 million into the broader economy.
Howick - With
the 23rd
edition of the
Sappi Karkloof
Classic
Trail Festival looming large
on the trail running and
MTB calendar at the end of
May, economists and tourism
experts have placed the
value of recreational outdoor
tourism to the Karkloof local
economy at R234 million.
Economic spend figures
were first derived from
research at the 2015 edition
of the Sappi Karkloof Trail
Festival, using data gleaned
from 416 overnight visitors
and 1183 day visitors to the
event. Results showed that
the direct spend into the
local economy on the weekend
was estimated at R6 017
For Sappi, investing in a
012, with the broader economic
value to the area
high profile event like the
Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail
being R12 million.
Festival creates a direct economic
injection into the
To further understand the
economic impact of recreational
access to Sappi land,
region’s economy in addition
to showcasing their plantations
and their important
studies were performed at
the end of 2016 by Tourism
environmental initiatives.
KwaZulu-Natal. Researchers
concluded that the
"Part of running a sustainable
business is managing
different types of capital,
sport tourism direct value
was estimated at R77 million,
with the indirect and
one of which is social and
relationship capital," said
broader economic value
Sappi's Communications
reaching R234 million.
Manager for Forests, Zelda
In other words, mountain
biking and the highly
Schwalbach.
'By virtue of being one of
regarded trail networks in
South Africa’s largest landowners,
we have many
particular are impacting
the area positively, through
neighbours and stakeholders
direct and indirect spending
and it makes sense to engage
by mountain biking tourists.
with communities, including
When compared to similar
the mountain biking community.
It’s helpful for us to
research conducted in 2013,
the study showed that more
have more eyes and ears on
of the respondents were
the ground in our forests,
choosing to stay overnight in
and we’re pleased that the
the area, even though 90% of
public can spend time doing
the participants were from
what they love on our land
KwaZulu-Natal.
through the Sappi MTB Pro-
Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 27
ject.
"Investing in the Sappi
Karkloof Classic Trail Festival
is important, as the event
allows a showcase of the
trails and land, and the positive
experience brings people
back with their friends
and family to the area, thus
supporting the local economy”
added Schwalbach.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
commissioned the research
into the value of the Karkloof
day and overnight visitors,
and found it to be a good
example of the economic
impact of sport tourism.
"Events play a critical
role in growing the economy
directly and indirectly.
Events like this one have a
huge economic impact as the
employment opportunities
are created for the local residents
and local businesses
benefit. An event of this
nature can generate almost
12 million over one weekend,"
said Ndabo Khoza, the
Chief Executive Officer of
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.
"Events that are hosted
on an annual basis have a
greater potential to create
continuous and sustainable
economic growth for local
economies as well as for the
province.
"Sports tourism is a key
component of events tourism
as well as destination
promotion. Sports Tourism
assists with seasonality
within the sector," added
Khoza.
"Sports enthusiasts are
always willing to travel anytime
and anywhere to see
their favourite team or to
follow a particular sport that
they like regardless of the
season. Sports travellers can
take an opportunity between
events to explore tourist
attraction around the area.
"Furthermore, they are
likely to take a token back
home as reminder of a trip
that they took, which then
serves as a compelling marketing
tool for the destina-