Namibia: Trophy Hunting Industry Marketing Challenged By State of Global Economy

The Namibia Economist 24 April 2009

Windhoek — The main focus of the Namibian trophy hunting industry's marketing campaigns takes place at dedicated sport hunting conventions in the USA, Europe and Asia annually from January to March. Record numbers of Namibian trophy hunting operators again exhibited at these hunting shows.

Traditionally international hunting conventions have always been very effective marketing tools for hunting outfitters from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with thousands of potential trophy hunting clients.

However, based on the feedback received from trophy hunting operators who have recently returned from marketing trips, the prospects for the international safari industry has been negatively affected by the current global economic challenges, with attendance by potential buyers, and therefore also bookings, down drastically at most of the conventions.

The new general trend for the international trophy hunters, whose financial position still allows them to travel internationally, is to book with very well established and well-known hunting operators, leaving many of the newer exhibitors very disappointed by the lack of interest and business. A number of operators also reported that trophy hunting safaris already booked for the 2009 as well as the 2010 seasons were either cancelled or postponed.

As recently reported by the CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board, Digu //Naobeb, as well as Jackie Asheeke of FENATA, every indication is that the higher-end of the market will be less affected than the middle and lower ones.

Air Namibia has already seen a 15% decrease in forward bookings compared to 2008, and since our national airline carries 80% of the tourists travelling via Europe, this will have a significant impact on the trophy hunting industry.

In the 38 years since the inception of the annual hunting conventions in the USA, these meetings of international hunters have become an integral and essential part of the international safari business.

The largest trophy hunting organization, Safari Club International (SCI) currently has over 55 000 members and 188 chapters, representing all 50 U.S. states. SCI is also represented internationally in 19 different countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South and North America. Safari Club International is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

Safari Club International's 2009 Hunters Convention in Reno, Nevada, USA experienced far fewer attendees than last year, although 1,100 booths were featured. Namibia is consistently one of the most represented countries at the SCI convention, with 36 outfitters exhibiting at the recent convention. The Namibian Minster of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Nandi-Ndaitwah, spent 3 days at the show attending various meetings with the executive of Safari Club International, as well as interacting with all the Namibian outfitters in their booths.

Dallas Safari Club, which has almost 4000 members, actively promotes their mission to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands, to educate youth and the general public and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. The traffic at the convention this year was also reported to be far less than expected. 33 trophy hunting operators represented Namibia.
The annual German hunting convention, Jagd und Hund in Dortmund, attracted 38 Namibian trophy hunting outfitters. Hunting and outdoor shows held in France, Canada, Scandinavia and Asia attracted good numbers of Namibian trophy hunting outfitters as well, but attendance and also bookings by prospective hunting clients were also much lower than usual.

Although German speaking countries were traditionally the source of the majority of Namibia's trophy hunting tourists, the most recent statistics available from the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism indicate that German hunters visiting Namibia over a 10 year period increased from 1 490 to 1905, whereas the largest increase in the number of trophy hunters is from the United States of America, increasing from 155 to 1516. It is expected that this market will be affected most negatively by the current global economy.

Over recent years Namibia has become one of the most popular hunting destinations in Southern Africa due to various factors, primarily Namibia's political stability and the fact that we are a hunter friendly nation. Namibian hunting professionals are internationally recognized as the best trained and ethical in the world.

As an agent, I can assure you that the safari industry is taking some big hits. I do agree with Bill that the bigger , more costly safaris are much easier to sell than a 10 day buff hunt for example. I do believe established operators are in a far better position due to established marketing and repeat business than newer firms.
I also agree that the Reno show was FAR down in attendance, a continuing tread, but I did not notice any drop off whatsoever in the traffic at Dallas. I am not privvy to numbers, but it was packed all four days and business was great. I know for a fact Dallas is attracting some of the reno traffic.

quote:

The largest trophy hunting organization, Safari Club International (SCI) currently has over 55 000 members and 188 chapters, representing all 50 U.S. states. SCI is also represented internationally in 19 different countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South and North America. Safari Club International is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

Gee SCI's influence spreads far and ... seems they can even influence an independent financial newspaper in Namibia!! Maybe Shakari could write a letter to the editor correcting them!!

Dave - I echo your sentiments. Dallas goes from strength-to-strength.

I never really thought of you as an agent??? I always thought you were a good guy??