SANParks marks 11.4% increase of visitors

Phillips said a steep increase in total black overnight visitors in national parks grew by 19.4% from 40,534 to 48,390.

He was speaking at the 2013 Tourism Indaba held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Sunday, 12 May 2013.

He said plans were afoot to transform the National Parks visitor demographics since it has recorded good results with the increase in black visitors.

In other developments, Phillips said when compared to trends in the industry, SANParks has had a good year. "We forecast 2012/13 to be a flat year, however year end results revealed a 1.7% growth with an overall occupancy of 70% compared to 68.3% in the previous year.

The unit nights sold were 527 755 compared to the 525 495 sold in the previous year. Phillips said in terms of Camp person an impressive 696 234 were sold compared to the previous which saw only 658 747 sold.

According to Phillips, increases in international markets were seen from Germany with 16.9% increase, France 17.6% increase, United States of America 7.2%, while declines were recorded in the United Kingdom by 3.1% and Holland 1.2%.

He said SANParks flagship project, the Wild Card, continues to be one of the most popular access mechanism programmes in the country. This year the organisation has sold 100 179 cards. South African visitors comprise 75.8% of total visitors to national parks.

He said that from a financial perspective, SANParks also recorded a good growth in tourism income. "Despite the unfavourable global economic situation, SANParks has seen good returns in tourism income. In the 2012/13 financial year a total of R848.9 million was recorded in comparison to R762.7 million recorded in the 2011/12 financial year.