Exciting times for Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area
Since 2010, there has been a huge wildlife input into the MSR and PPMR, with thousands of animals being relocated into the property and with the hopes of carnivores being introduced soon.
Investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Mozambique came under the spotlight during a Destination Awareness and Tourism Investment Opportunities Seminar with regards to the Maputo Special Reserve (MSR) and Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR) which took place in Hoedspruit on Friday, October 19.
The seminar, held at the Rhino Convention Centre, started with an introduction from Roland Vorwerk, the Marketing Manager of Boundless Southern Africa, which acts as the marketing umbrella that promotes Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in Southern Africa as tourism destinations.
Vorwerk highlighted the success stories seen in other TFCAs but the focus of the day’s seminar was on the Lubombo TFCA which includes four distinct transfrontier conservation areas between Mozambique, South Africa and The Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), covering a total area of 10 029 km².
Vorwerk explained that TFCAs allow for cross-border products to be made available for travellers and for tourism value to be spread into neighbouring countries but that the success of such areas relies on building coalitions and policy harmonisation in order to make tourism flow easier.
Next to take to the stage was Seth Maphalala, the Lubombo TFCA Programme Manager from Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC). Maphalala explained the five sub-TFCAs within the area and their different commercial values in the tourism sector. Firstly, the Usuthu-Tembe-Futi sub-region, which offers a unique landscape for a variety of tourism products from big five and birding routes, to river sections which offer potential for rafting and fishing, through to the coastal area where there are opportunities for turtle monitoring programmes as well as sea kayaking, snorkelling and diving.
Furthermore, the Songiwelo – Malelatja region is home to some of the oldest rocks in the world and the diverse habitat types will attract wildlife and birding enthusiasts.
Maphalala expressed the need for investment in infrastructure such as road networks for both access and to provide routes in the area. Further, the need for investment in lodges and tourism products as well as tourism operator input.
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Next to present were Tanya and Antony Alexander, representing Peace Parks Foundation (PPF).
PPF have invested a minimum of US $16 million to the project over the next 15 years, $8 million of which will go towards tourism facilities and the other half towards operations, equipment, anti-poaching and wildlife translocation.
Since 2010, there has been a huge wildlife input into the MSR and PPMR, with thousands of animals being relocated into the property and with the hopes of carnivores being introduced soon.
This, along with infrastructure development and other inputs has had a positive impact on tourist numbers, with the area seeing a 30% increase of entrants annually over the last three years. The ‘front of house’ of the TFCA is also improving, with better signage and maps available to ease the mind of entrants.
The diversity of habitat certainly offers an attractive package to tourists and visitors but the potential of the area is yet to be unlocked.
PPF are funding for ‘middle-tier’ tourism infrastructure to make the area accessible, financially, for the general public. The only existing developments within the space are upmarket and therefore too costly to the average person.
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Here, the future plans are split between three distinct areas known as Park Authority Developments (PADs) – Bush, Beach and Birds.
The Birds PAD will be situated close to Lake Xingule and will include twelve self-catering units, restaurants, trails camp and luxury campsites. The Bush PAD to be located near Futi Gate on Elephantes Plains will offer an overland campsite, a luxury campsite and self-catering units.
Lastly, the Beach PAD will have 12 x two-bed, 12 x four-bed catered and self-catered chalets as well as luxury campsites and basic campsites.
The potential for tourism operator and private investment opportunities in the area are vast.
Martin Taylor of Birdlife South Africa took to the front of the room to explain the overwhelming opportunities for avitourism (avian tourism) in the TFCA also, noting that birding tourism in South Africa is worth R 1.25 billion per year and that avid birders usually have higher income levels, spend more days travelling and spend more per visit than the average tourist.
Birding opportunities within the Lubombo TFCA are endless, the diverse habitat types offering a fantastic mosaic for many ‘specials’ and ‘near endemics’ to be spotted. For example, sharp-tailed and white-rumped sandpipers have recently been seen in the area.
This niche tourism sector is just one of the many aspects that can be tapped into in the Lubombo TFCA. The diverse landscapes and habitat types across the area give rise to a huge portfolio of potential tourism products and opportunities.
For more information on tourism investment and operator opportunities, contact Tanya Alexander: talexander@peaceparks.org
