According to Conservation on Biological Diversity, South Africa occupies only 2% of the world’s land surface area, however we are home to 10% of the world’s plant species and 7% of its reptile, bird and mammal species. Furthermore, it harbours around 15% of the world’s marine species. Endemism rates – the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location; in this instance South Africa – reach 56% for amphibians, 65% for plants and up to 70% for invertebrates.

Being home to the big five; South Africa is well established as a wildlife tourism destination and once visitors reach our shores, their experience is enhanced by being able to explore, and discover the full extent of our biodiversity. South Africa is a small country at the bottom of the African continent, however we are blessed with a stunning shoreline that stretches from west to east, savannah and grassland, deserts, sub-tropical forests with metropolitan cities along with accompanying sophisticated infrastructure, that provide for every amenity the heart desires. 

In as much as we historically benefitted from the beautiful biodiversity we are surrounded by, now, as the global COVID-19 pandemic wanes and the world is opening borders and travel increases, we have an opportunity to re-ignite the global, collective imagination of the world to partake in our natural beauty. However, we should not underestimate our local market and encourage visitors from Gauteng and other concrete jungles scattered across South Africa to head out and leave steel and concrete behind in exchange for fresh air, greenery, the chirping of birds, sunshine as well as the sight of beautiful animals in their natural habitat. 

A study published by CNBC during May 2020, by Longwoods International, found Americans who were polled foresaw their next holiday as “a road trip to a national park or other attraction in a neighboring state. A week-long stay at a sanitized vacation rental property nearby.” In the same article, Elizabeth Monahan, spokesperson for Tripadvisor.com explains that: “Tourism recovery typically begins locally. Travelers tend to first venture out closer to home, and visit their local eateries, stay local for a weekend getaway or travel domestically before a robust demand for international travel returns.”

These trends appear to be global and apply equally within South Africa. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), in its Tourism in South Africa: a pre-COVID-19 benchmark Report, states that tourism directly employed 4.7% of the total South African workforce, employing 773 533 people in the formal sector in 2019. During 2019, internal (non-resident and domestic) visitors spent R451. 5 billion, contributing 3.7% to the South African national GDP. With global trends pointing to a re-ignition of tourism beginning with domestic tourism, we as South Africans are the largest contributors to the tourism sector and thus the revival of the sector is based here, at home! Domestic visitors accounted for the largest chunk of internal tourism expenditure, contributing 73% of the R451.5 billion. Non-resident visitors exploring our shores accounted for 27%.

To re-ignite South Africa’s tourism industry, we must leverage our domestic market here at home. 

The biodiversity economy is ripe for the picking and as a serving Board Member of Wildlife Ranching SA, I am saddened by the lack of black people’s participation in the biodiversity economy. In as much as we need to focus on supporting new entrants and driving transformation, we need to bring the industry to people encouraging wildlife ranchers to expand their scope; focusing on the full value-chain that the wildlife industry has to offer. 

According to the World Economic Forum, conservation experts say around $700 billion a year in extra funding from governments and business is needed to reverse a catastrophic decline in biodiversity over the next decade. Part of the solution for this much needed funding is to ensure that conservation efforts are funded through the biodiversity economy. Those active within the biodiversity economy will enhance conservation efforts, protect the fauna and flora on their properties as we encourage more visitors to enjoy nature in pristine, natural settings. 

After two years of being confined, we are all yearning to stretch our limbs and leave our immediate, familiar environment. Our most precious natural resource, the flora and fauna that can be found across our entire beautiful land, provides an opportunity for our people to get much rest and relaxation whilst ensuring a legacy of natural beauty for future generations. 

photo credit: www.wallpaperflair.com