The minister of tourism, Patricia de Lille, visited various sites in the Kruger National Park (KNP) to inspect investment projects undertaken by the department and the private sector.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss how the KNP and all spheres of government can work together to enhance tourism’s performance towards achieving greater progress on key priorities for this sector. “I wanted to check tour operator licences, e-visas, tourism safety, the Tourism Equity Fund and tourism’s infrastructure development. I also needed to understand how to assist in increasing the volume and value of domestic and international tourism in line with the Tourism Sector Master Plan – all aimed at increasing domestic and international tourism to the country,” De Lille said.

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It is unfortunately well known there have been many crime incidents in and around the KNP, with criminals attacking tourists. She stressed this matter should be taken very seriously, not only because of the safety of tourists, “but because we cannot have criminality stand in the way of our tourist attractions thriving, because that is how we can ultimately create more jobs for our people and bring prosperity for all.”

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The minister was briefed by SANParks management on general tourism activities and safety matters. She said she was committed to doing everything in her power, with the department and provincial and local government, to work with the private sector and communities to enhance safety in and around the KNP.
“Our department has budgeted R174m for the Tourism Monitor Programme to improve safety around the 59 tourism hotspot areas identified by the National Tourism Safety Forum. We are finalising a refined training curriculum for these monitors and are set to deploy more than 100 in the KNP,” she said.

Among other projects, the KNP benefited from solar PV energy systems at Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Tshokwane and Nkuhlu, originally reliant on diesel generators. At the Skukuza Golf Club, a new clubhouse was built after the approval of a 20-year-term lease by SANParks, granted to Indalo Hotels & Leisure. This group also plans to undertake multimillion-rand investments on refurbishments at a critical project near Phalaborwa Gate.