Of the 9 188 368 international tourists who arrived in SA in 2012, an estimated 558, 014 headed to the Western Cape during peak seasons (Quarter 1 and 4). Popular tourist destinations are Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Winelands, according to the 2012 Western Cape Tourism Trends report (WESGRO).
More domestic travellers visited the Western Cape, making up 57, 4% of the total number of visitors. Visits were recorded during off-peak seasons (winter months, Quarter 2 and 3).
‘For sport lovers and adrenalin junkies, the Garden Route offers a wide selection of activities, ranging from gentle and moderate to fast-paced and extreme…’A study conducted on the future state of National Parks identified ‘activity development’ as a priority for the Garden Route National Park (GRNP). The study included various other tourism attractions relevant to other Parks such as ‘tourism development projects, accommodation’ and others.
Management in the Garden Route National Park identified ‘adventure activities’ that could meet both the conservation mandate and also stimulate tourism in the Region. This will include opening up business opportunities to private companies.
Andile Namntu, Business Development Manager (BDU) for the Garden Route National Park says the GRNP is guided by the tourism and commercial strategies of SANParks. ‘We are guided by the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) as defined in the National Treasury Regulations, promulgated under the Public Finance Management Act of 1999.’ Namntu says an expression of interest for interested parties or companies with extensive experience in events management and adventure activities is now officially opened.
A briefing session was held today with various companies. ‘An expression of interest is issued by SANParks in accordance with guidelines for PPPs contained in the PPP Toolkit for Tourism, also contained in the Treasury Regulations 16 of the PFMA (Public Finance Management Act).’
‘Expression of Interest (EOI) is to test the market to see if companies are interested and also assess concepts. The information from the EOI will be used to complete a feasibility study’ he elaborates.
EOI submissions are due on the 27th March 2014 and must be addressed to Andile Namntu, PO Box 3542, Knysna, 6570
The regulatory provisions for tourism PPPs can be accessed on www.ppp.gov.za
The advertisement issued in the media regarding the EOI is attached.
For more information, contact Nandi Mgwadlamba, Communications Manager: Garden Route National Park, 044 302 5633, 078 702 9663
