Parks body introduces new incentives to lure tourists

EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife is to introduce a number of tourism incentives for visitors to the protected areas in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) over the next few months. A major break with tradition is that visitors staying overnight in an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife park will pay a single package fee that includes all the applicable accommodation or camping fees, gate entry fees and levies. In addition, gate entry fees to all protected areas under the control of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will change by varying amounts , effective from November 1, 2001. "Visitors to our smaller parks were paying the same entry fee as they would to visit one of our major protected areas, so we have adjusted our entry fees to be more appropriate" said Dave Frandsen, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife head of eco-tourism and marketing. The Entry Passport that provided "season-ticket" access to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife parks in the past, is to be replaced by the Rhino Reward Club Gold Card that will provide other benefits in addition to easy access to all protected areas under the control of KZN Wildlife. The soon-to-be-introduced Rhino Reward Club Green Card will also provide certain benefits and full details will be made public shortly. "We are in the process of creating a new nature conservation body in KZN. As part of the rebuilding process we are introducing this suite of tourism incentives in a few weeks time, to attract visitors to our parks, and to encourage our visitors to return more frequently." (Adéle Mackenzie)