Zimbabwe’s safari sector targets 10 percent growth

Zimbabwe’s safari industry has set a target of $85 million revenue inflow for the 2014 hunting season. However, questions remain if this is attainable, as the sector has often been dogged by corruption allegations. In addition, the sector hopes to cash in on hunters who previously chose to do business in neighboring Botswana who banned hunting, in January, citing dwindling wildlife populations.

Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) president, Emmanuel Fundira says traditional hunters from Russia, the United States, Hungary, Spain and Germany are expected to make a beeline for Zimbabwe ahead of the hunting season, which starts in April.

He stated, “We are forecasting a growth of 10% mainly premised on the resumption of activities in the Save Conservancy, where there has been an impasse for the last two years.” He also said, “So assuming that does not happen, we would expect to end up with slight growth from our numbers last year where we achieved revenues of up to $65 million. But if that happens we would expect an extra $8-10 million coming our way.”

Fundira revealed that neighboring Zambia had also suspended hunting in 18 concessions, which contribute about 60% of that country’s hunting revenue and Zimbabwe was likely to benefit from these cancellations. Professional hunters and tourists pour large sums into the sector, making it one of the most lucrative foreign currency earners in the increasingly skint southern African nation.

It is also noted that hunting and photographic safari are considered major revenue generators in the wildlife business. The sector has been on a recovery path following the lifting of travel warnings to Zimbabwe by most western countries, which had led to a sharp contraction of the country’s tourism industry.

Zimbabwe’s safari industry, which has 65 big operators, is working with the government on policies to increase income receipts mainly from external investors. Currently, there are 220 medium operators and more than 1,000 small operators. The big operators account for over 7% of the revenues but concerns have been raised over the way the safari business has been conducted.

A number of players in the sector have been accused of externalizing proceeds paid for hunts but some of the hunters have also been accused of smuggling trophies out of the country through unofficial channels.

Source: The Africa Report