KNP stats defy the norm

ALTHOUGH key trading statistics for the industry - released by Statistics SA for April - indicate that in general, accommodation occupancy levels are down compared with the same period last year, recently released statistics (April-May-June) for Kruger National Park (KNP) show an increase in occupancies and visitors. This despite negative publicity on KNP's restructuring programme and accusations of poor service delivery. South African National Parks (SANParks) director for marketing and tourism development, Richard Willys, says the statistics indicate that KNP is still perceived as a "good value for money" destination. Unit occupancies are up from 60,1% for the same period last year to 66,5%. The Tamboti tent camp recorded a 97,2% occupancy for June. Bed occupancy figures are up from 49% to 54,8%. The best bed occupancy for June is Letaba tents phase two, with a recorded occupancy of 92,2%. The Letaba campsite had a 100% occupancy for June, with campsite occupancy figures up from 51,8% to 67,6%. The number of foreign visitors to KNP have increased by 23,9%. The cumulative figure (for the three months) for admissions is up 16,7%, from 183 174 visitors to 213 727 visitors. (Adéle Mackenzie)