The impact of poaching

THE degree to which my comment about rhino poaching was used by local and national media recently, indicates that it is generally accepted that Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism has a role to play in the fight against this detestable crime.

Apart from speaking out against it - which NMBT will do at every opportunity - we will continue to be open to suggestions as to how we can fight this good fight with other stakeholders, colleagues and role-players. Considering, of course, NMBT’s limited resources.

In addition to the media comment I made when Lalibela Game Reserve lost four rhino recently, it is important to drive home the point that apart from the loss of these majestic creatures, this crime also negatively impacts on our members generally and marketing Nelson Mandela Bay as a preferred tourism destination.

Game reserves directly affected are forced to spend huge amounts of money towards anti-poaching measures. This leads to an increase in their rate, which is passed onto other contractors with which the game reserves operate, and, ultimately the consumer.

In the current economic climate consumers are discerning and demand more value for money. There is a limit to what tourists are prepared to pay. Given the fact that the Big Seven is one of our main attractions, the NMB region and Eastern Cape in general are compromised more than other areas.

So, let me reiterate, NMBT welcomes the ongoing investigations by the Hawks and other law enforcement bodies to bring the perpetrators to book.

According to statistics from the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAET), 11 rhino were killed in the Eastern Cape by poachers in 2011. Including the four at Lalibela, an additional seven have been poached in the province this year. We need to stand together and collectively support all entities losing their valuable wildlife, keeping in mind that they are not the only ones negatively affected, it impacts on us all as an industry.