1St Island Safari updates for October

Hi Folks,

Following is the first Island Safari updates for October.While I am sitting here typing this, I am enjoying the warm sun that we are starting to get here down in cape town.This is usually a sign that summer is fast approaching us and yes I am ready for it.Anyway here follows the updates.
As for any questions, pleas don't refrain to email me at: david@island-safari.com
I would gladly answer all your questions.

Update 1:

Country: South Africa

Update About: South Africa Tourism Sector

Update Info: SA's tourism needs a reality check: THE tourism boom reported by SA tourism authorities could better be described as a tourism time bomb.

Colin Bell, CEO of the Great Plains Safari Company, this week disputed the claim of a tourism boom that would deliver the government's upliftment and transformation goals ahead of 2010. SA's tourism authorities and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Deat), in particular, said Bell, needed a reality check.

Bell described the annual tourist arrival growth to South Africa as “pathetic” when excluding neighbouring states.He said the country's overall lack of meaningful rural community involvement in the tourism and wildlife industry was “disastrous” and unless this was addressed through real delivery and meaningful policy changes, the country could face civil unrest and crime at unprecedented levels in these rural areas as impoverished communities struggled to survive.

“There are not enough tourists, particularly not in our rural areas, as not enough tourism products have been allowed to be developed in partnership with communities in rural areas. Annual tourism growth rates are poor and our statistics are meaningless, except to those in government positions who have vested interests. Effective marketing, and in particular sales processes, must be put in place to address the serious shortage of non-neighbour tourists,” said Bell.

Bell said SA Tourism's statistics of 8,5m tourists in 2006 really consisted of less than 2m non-neighbour tourists, while the remaining 6,5m were visitors/tourists from neighbouring countries, counted numerous times as they crossed borders.

Total tourism growth rates when one excludes Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe from our numbers were 2, 4% in 2002/3; 1, 77% in 2003/4; 1, 68% in 2004/5 and 5, 46% in 2005/6, compared to 11, 4% in sub-Saharan Africa and up to 20% for some of our competitors. “That is no tourism boom!” charged Colin.

Deat and the provinces in particular, he added, lacked “genuine willingness” to meaningfully involve rural communities in tourism, besides the rhetoric to the contrary. He also accused Deat and the “impervious layer of bureaucracy” in the provinces of delaying progress, citing the alleged example of the failed attempt to create a Pondo National Park while Deat officials had letters stating the park extension could go ahead.

“Companies have spent millions in winning tenders in the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park and down the Wild Coast. Tenders that were awarded in 2003 but until today there is not a brick in the ground!” said Bell. Only 0, 64% of turnover earned by the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park is to be ploughed back into the local community, which he said was resulting in communities becoming disillusioned.

Update 2:

Country: Southern Africa

Update On: Southern Africa Tourism Sector

Update Info: SOUTHERN Africa receives only 1, 8% of global tourism arrivals and 1% of world tourism receipts, according to Remmy Makumbe, acting chief director of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat.

He told a hospitality investment conference hosted by the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) in Cape Town that currently tourists to the region didn't spend enough because of insufficient tourism experiences and value offerings.

He said prerequisites for tourism investment in SADC included a universal visa ('uni-visa') for the SADC region which should be in place in time for the World Cup in 2010.

2010 was also a key milestone for liberalising air transport in SADC, with an implementation plan for opening Southern African skies expected to be announced after the WTTC summit in September 2008.

Another challenge to be overcome was electricity supply in the region, which was expected to outstrip demand by 2010.

He said SADC aimed to use the World Cup as a springboard for tourism growth in the region and to position brand Southern Africa. All SADC countries needed to contribute to and benefit from the hosting of the event.

Update 3:

Country: Mozambique

Update On: Mozambique Tourism Sector

Update Info: AT least R3, 1bn (US$450m) is to be invested to unlock Mozambique's tourism potential.The Mozambican government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have launched a Mozambique Anchor Investment Programme to mobilise investment of R1bn (US$150m) each at three key sites over the next few years and to develop related SMME and community opportunities.

IFC tourism operations officer, Irene Visser, says investment will be in:

* High-end boutique eco-tourism game lodges with strong community involvement at Maputo Special Reserve and in Zambézia province (northern Mozambique). Investment will be sought from well-known regional and international companies.
* Mixed-use developments (hotels, residential and golf) catering for a range of market segments in southern Mozambique.
* Exclusive beach resorts for the well-heeled international market in northern Mozambique.

Phase one during the past six months, involved site selection, designing a detailed implementation programme and an investor survey.

Phase two over the next two years, will involve the development of master plans, environmental and social development plans and marketing the investment opportunities.

Phase three, in year three, will involve developing SMME supply chains in partnership with the investors, developing community opportunities and building local capacity.

Visser says the aim is to provide quality anchor investment projects that will:

* Become the catalyst for other infrastructure investments in Mozambique.
* Create employment and economic benefits in rural areas through SMME
spin-offs
* Provide a sustainable business model that can be replicated
* Improve the investment climate and give Mozambique a stronger tourism
investment image.

She says Mozambique has all the ingredients to be one of Africa's top tourism destinations, with 2 700 km of tropical coastline, 15% of the country declared Protected Areas and an intriguing culture. However, despite high interest from tourists and investors, to date there has been little quality investment in the country because prospective investors perceive investment procedures and access to land as too difficult.As a result, tourism to date has not delivered on its expectations in terms of job creation, community
opportunities and economic impact.

Update 4:

Country: Zambia

Update On: Wildlife Camp

Update On: We have also noticed a large amount of waivers going “missing” so please do warn the guests that there is a possibility of this. It is an issue we are trying to address and do our utmost to ensure they are delivered but we cannot be held liable if they go missing after we have sent them in. If anyone does have to pay also please make sure they get an official receipt as the more money that goes directly into pockets the large this problem gets!

Unfortunately a scam has been noticed by a few travellers where on arrival a guest may ask for a specific number of days and fewer days are being put into the passport and then on their departure from Zambia they are being fined for “overstaying” Please can everyone check the dates given BEFORE leaving the immigration desk.

Update 5:

Country: Botswana

Update On: Nitani Christmas 2007

Update Info: We have decided that for guests who join us for Christmas at Nitani, this year, we are going to offer the following:

1. Pay for 4 nights and get the 5th night free.
2. Complimentary "His & Hers" back massage
3. Complimentary Bottle of Sparkling wine.

Validity dates: Friday 21st December to Thursday 27th December.

We will also be offering Hot Air Balloon flights on 23rd & 26th December @ SA Rands 2650 per person per flight.Please note that these flights must be booked in advance.

Update 6:

Country: South Africa

Update On: Le Quartier Français accommodation

Update Info: THE Le Quartier Français has added a new accommodation option called The Cottage.

The Cottage is across the road from the hotel and can accommodate a whole family. It comprises two en-suite bedrooms, of which one is twin-bedded and the other features a king-size bed, two lounges with fireplaces and a fully equipped open-plan kitchen and dining area. All rooms open on to a private garden and swimming pool.

It also has a laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer, TVs with DSTV and Wi-Fi Internet. Guests receive complimentary wine on arrival and a newspaper, milk; fresh fruit juice and pastries are delivered to The Cottage every morning.