‘Market Zim as prime hunting destination’

Business Reporter
December 9, 2009

SAFARI operators have been called upon to aggressively market the country as a prime-hunting destination in order to claim their share of international hunters.

Safari Club International chairman, Mr John Boretsky, made the call during the just ended the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe annual general meeting held in Bulawayo last weekend.

Mr Boretsky said despite the country having prime trophy, competent safari operators and competitive pricing, these factors were being overridden by the negative publicity that the country was receiving abroad.

"You need to be on a mission to speak to every hunter, American or European or African, asking them if they know how good hunting is in Zimbabwe, and be ready to tell them what they are missing if they do not," Mr Boretsky said.

Mr Boretsky said that the operators have to be innovative and utilise all the available resources at their disposal such as the information communication technology as well as attending international hunters’ conventions to enhance exposure of their products.

As an organisation, he said that they stood ready to avail their marketing machinery to local organisations to market Zimbabwe and their products.

"Safari Club International can help. Don’t always look to us for money, look to us for help and skills we offer," he said.

Speaking at the same occasion Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s board chairman Mr George Pangeti who read a speech on behalf of Environment and Natural Resources Minister Francis Nhema, underscored the need for operators to conserve the country’s natural resources as it anchors the country’s tourism industry.

He said as part of this initiative Government was implementing the wildlife based land reform programme that was conceived following widespread consultation with stakeholders.

The programme, which is being administered by his ministry, seeks to ensure access by the majority to the country’s wildlife resource as well as ensure conservation and sustainable use of wildlife for present and future generations.

"Wildlife based land reform policy is a continuous learning process for all involved as all stakeholders continue to make suggestions that we as stakeholders discuss and decided weather to adopt or not," he said.

In this regard he said that they were looking at incorporating foreign partners of local businesses on leased land held by their local partners.

Meanwhile at least four operators received awards of excellence during the SOAZ AGM.

The best run camp (Big Camp) award went to Big Five Safaris, the most improved operator’s award was scooped by Matupula Safaris, the award for consistent excellence went to Chifuti Safaris and the award for the greatest contribution to the community was awarded to Ingwe Safaris.

I agree with the comments made.Zim IS STILL the best value for money when it comes to DG hunting - but be warned hunting Big Game in Zim is NOT for the lazy hunter ! The Zambezi Valley, and other big concessions for Buffalo, Elephant etc is real hunting ! - so if you are not prepared to walk and track your game with top class trackers - and are just looking to "shoot some stuff" - then I recommend go look elsewhere, because you may not enjoy what a proper safari is all about.
The only negative in the Zim hunting industry at the moment - is high ranking government officials getting involved with illegal hunting practices and aligning themselves with questionable operators inside and outside the country !!

Hooray for Mr Boretsky! Great idea to market Zim as a prime hunting destination.....Why did nobody think of that before?

if a government minister is so concerned about Zim hunting, why is the government shoving local black "partners" down the throat of established safari companies as has happened in the Save Conservancy?

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
if a government minister is so concerned about Zim hunting, why is the government shoving local black "partners" down the throat of established safari companies as has happened in the Save Conservancy?

Very good point.