PROPERTY NEWS - The growth of the black middle class has prompted SANParks to build luxury hotels in Kruger National Park. The latest is a luxury lodge near Malelane, to be operated by the Radisson Blu hotel group.
Threat to the environment
But the development is dogged by controversy, with environmentalists outraged that the lodge is to be built in a sensitive biodiversity area along the Crocodile River. The site is home to several species of endangered birds and plants, including the Pel's fishing owl and the Swazi lily.
It will be the latest in a string of commercial ventures to open in the park. Others include chain restaurants such as Wimpy, Debonairs and Cattle Baron at several camps.
Developments a result of demand from new market
SANParks spokesman Rey Thakuli said of the commercialisation of the park: "It's as a result of demand. The new hotel is a response to demand for a certain kind of accommodation.
"There are people who come to the park who appreciate self-catering. A survey revealed that there is, however, a new market, which is looking for a full-service holiday." This new market, he said, was middle class, particularly the black middle class.
Thakuli said international guidelines prescribed that only 10% of a protected area such as Kruger National Park could be developed. "The park has the lowest commercial development of any national park in the world, below 4%."
He said the hotel, which would be built in the park's southern section, in Malelane, would be on an "already disturbed environmental area, occupied by the original Malelane hotel, which burned down".
The latest commercial development did not presage much more to come, Thakuli said. "We are not losing out on our mandate, which is conservation and tourism. Malelane Safari Lodge is one of two hotels to be developed in the park, with another being built at Skukuza camp."
Thakuli said the park's "customer satisfaction index" showed that visitors were happy. "They enjoy having access to certain amenities and restaurants. It makes sense that we commercialise these operations. "We can assure visitors that we will not erect coffee shops at waterholes."
Between a rock and a hard place
Morgan Griffiths, manager of the governance programme of the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA, said SANParks was under pressure to cater to new markets.
But the development is dogged by controversy, with environmentalists outraged that the lodge is to be built in a sensitive biodiversity area along the Crocodile River. The site is home to several species of endangered birds and plants, including the Pel's fishing owl and the Swazi lily.
It will be the latest in a string of commercial ventures to open in the park. Others include chain restaurants such as Wimpy, Debonairs and Cattle Baron at several camps.
Developments a result of demand from new market
SANParks spokesman Rey Thakuli said of the commercialisation of the park: "It's as a result of demand. The new hotel is a response to demand for a certain kind of accommodation.
"There are people who come to the park who appreciate self-catering. A survey revealed that there is, however, a new market, which is looking for a full-service holiday." This new market, he said, was middle class, particularly the black middle class.
Thakuli said international guidelines prescribed that only 10% of a protected area such as Kruger National Park could be developed. "The park has the lowest commercial development of any national park in the world, below 4%."
He said the hotel, which would be built in the park's southern section, in Malelane, would be on an "already disturbed environmental area, occupied by the original Malelane hotel, which burned down".
The latest commercial development did not presage much more to come, Thakuli said. "We are not losing out on our mandate, which is conservation and tourism. Malelane Safari Lodge is one of two hotels to be developed in the park, with another being built at Skukuza camp."
Thakuli said the park's "customer satisfaction index" showed that visitors were happy. "They enjoy having access to certain amenities and restaurants. It makes sense that we commercialise these operations. "We can assure visitors that we will not erect coffee shops at waterholes."
Between a rock and a hard place
Morgan Griffiths, manager of the governance programme of the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA, said SANParks was under pressure to cater to new markets.
