Global Recession Hits Safari Operators
http://www.thezimbabwestandard.com


Saturday, 21 March 2009 15:21
THE country's safari industry is struggling to sell quotas for this
year's hunting season as the effects of the global recession take their toll
on traditional source markets.

A hunting auction held at a local hotel two weeks ago was under
subscribed as the 150 regional and international buyers felt the prices were
too high.

The auction was targeting to raise US$1 million but only raised US$600
000. Safari operators said in good times the auction could raise up to US$2
million.

But this time around buyers' resistance was evident as they offered
US$8 000 for an elephant trophy which used to fetch US$12 000.

Safari operators see the resistance by the buyers as a wake-up call
for stakeholders to review their prices, which have become among the most
expensive in the region.

"Prices that we have in our minds are not sustainable because it makes
the cost structure expensive," Emmanuel Fundira, the group chief executive
officer for Makuti Safaris said.

"We need to exercise restraint by bringing prices down to accommodate
the impact of the global recession and dollarisation."

Fundira said the country's negative image also played a role although
it was mitigated by the formation of an inclusive government. But he
cautioned that the market was testing the sincerity of the political actors.
He said travel warnings issued on Zimbabwe had played a part in the
low uptake of local products as agents had taken them off their menu list.

Fundira said the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority must
review the prices so that the total package becomes competitive in the
region.

He said the authority was taking "more than what the business can
chew".

In any auction, the authority benefits by charging trophy fees while
safari operators get their proceeds from covering clients' upkeep.

Fundira said the seven percent surrender levels on exporters was
hurting safari operators as they were unable to use the local currency given
by the central bank.

He said the surrender level was an outright tax on safari operators.

In his budget review statement on Wednesday, Finance Minister Tendai
Biti removed the export surrender requirements saying it would be replaced
by an appropriate tax structure.

The safari industry is marketed in three distinct forms, which are
attendance to internationally organised marketing shows, public auctions and
repeat business.

Repeat business occurs when clients who have been to a particular
destination come back or refer other potential clients.

BY NDAMU SANDU

Guess it has nothing to do with the Zim situation then? The global recession is a convenient scapegoat for everything eh?

quote:

and dollarisation."

What's THAT

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:

quote:

and dollarisation."

What's THAT

That's Zim. for our money is not worth a shit.

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:

quote:

and dollarisation."

What's THAT

That's Zim. for our money is not worth a shit.

jeff h,

We don't care any more because now we use yours!

Just a thought !!!

With the USA treasury PRINTING MONEY, about 200 billion, well not actual money, but PHONEY ELECTRONIC IOU'S or Bond notes, call it what you like.

Surely they could have added on a miniscule extra (5 billion) and given it to Zimbabwe to get her out the crap, after all it is false money so you chaps in USA would never see it again anyhow, so it is not a problem and it would help Zim's considerably (-:

Am I (talking throught a long barrel) or am I in line for Geitners job (-:

Cheers, Peter ( NZ financial wizard )

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Just a thought !!!

With the USA treasury PRINTING MONEY, about 200 billion, well not actual money, but PHONEY ELECTRONIC IOU'S or Bond notes, call it what you like.

Surely they could have added on a miniscule extra (5 billion) and given it to Zimbabwe to get her out the crap, after all it is false money so you chaps in USA would never see it again anyhow, so it is not a problem and it would help Zim's considerably (-:

Am I (talking throught a long barrel) or am I in line for Geitners job (-:

Cheers, Peter ( NZ financial wizard )

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Just a thought !!!

With the USA treasury PRINTING MONEY, about 200 billion, well not actual money, but PHONEY ELECTRONIC IOU'S or Bond notes, call it what you like.

Surely they could have added on a miniscule extra (5 billion) and given it to Zimbabwe to get her out the crap, after all it is false money so you chaps in USA would never see it again anyhow, so it is not a problem and it would help Zim's considerably (-:

Am I (talking throught a long barrel) or am I in line for Geitners job (-:

Cheers, Peter ( NZ financial wizard )

How about the US matching NZ dollar for dollar?

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Just a thought !!!

With the USA treasury PRINTING MONEY, about 200 billion, well not actual money, but PHONEY ELECTRONIC IOU'S or Bond notes, call it what you like.

Surely they could have added on a miniscule extra (5 billion) and given it to Zimbabwe to get her out the crap, after all it is false money so you chaps in USA would never see it again anyhow, so it is not a problem and it would help Zim's considerably (-:

Am I (talking throught a long barrel) or am I in line for Geitners job (-:

Cheers, Peter ( NZ financial wizard )

And the Canadians too!

This comes as no surprise. That's what many of us have been saying all along, that the global recession is going to hit the hunting industry and make an impact. Other African country's hunting operations and operators might not be too far behind in having to do the same.

quote:

How about the US matching NZ dollar for dollar?

No we cany do that as we are not dealing in US Dollars, our currency is NZ Dollars.

Also we are only just over 4 million people, that 200 billion your chaps created could buy the whole of NZ. Basically we dont have the spare cash to spend on Zimbabwe, it would be a drop in the bucket for USA

Also we have a (National Conservative type Government) in power, not democratic/liberal, we tend NOT TO print money like liberals governments do to get ourselves out of the crap, we prefer to stay away from that game as much as humanly possible. WE changed our government recenty (thank god) and booted out the old labour government whom burnt money like they were lightining a bonfire with it.

Zimbabwe is now informally one of your (brother countries) as they are now taking/using US Dollars as their bona fide/quasi trading currency.

The USA must certainly (have given them the green light) for Comrade Mugabe to formally use US Dollars as an official trading currency

Regards, Peter

Balla Balla, although it wasn't the offical currancy in NZ I had no problem with merchants taking it. Now that was a few yrs ago but I am sure it is a welcome sight in NZ yet today.

We have been looking at a hunt in 2010 and have pretty much settled on Zambia for hippo, buffalo and leopard and a few odds and sods.

One outfit in Zim was recommended strongly but there is no way on God's earth that I would put money in the hands of the Zimbabwe Government in the form of trophy fees or anything else.

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't Zim a pariah state that should not be supported by anybody fortunate enough to live in a democracy?

quote:

Originally posted by Small Bore:

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't Zim a pariah state that should not be supported by anybody fortunate enough to live in a democracy?

Small Bore,

You are missing something, and that is that there are many innocent and decent folk here doing everything they possibly can to bring about the changes that this country so desperately needs. Many of those people work in the hunting industry and depend on you and those like you for survival. Many of those reside in areas which hunting directly benefits. The majority of the people in this country are striving to achieve democracy (something, incidentally, that Zim has never known since the bushmen populated the area), but as can be appreciated it is a hard slog anywhere, let alone in Africa. But good does eventually prevail and much headway has been made. There is a new fellow holding the purse strings now - his name is Tendai Biti. He has no blemish on his record and is a principled, intelligent and courageous man. He and his boss, the new Prime Minister, are doing everything they can to convince the world that, if you support this presently trashed land, they are going to do things differently and use your money wisely. To start rebuilding. Their task is not an easy one, and so I decided to help them with this little blurt.

There is still so much to be done and a great deal of rubble needs to be cleared before reconstruction can really kick-off, but a positive start has been made. We are digging the foundations, in amongst the rubble. We can continue as we are, and we shall build our stone house again, but your support at this stage would be much appreciated and would speed up the process considerably. We need you to help restore our honor, so that we can once again feel the pride we once felt for this remarkable country.

Proudly Zimbabwean, Dave

Despite all the problems in Zimbabwe, I would have absolutely no hesitation in hunting there if the people I hunt with are still operating in Zimbabwe.

Sadly, the old man has retired, and his son is hunting in Tanzania.

So we go hunt with them there.

There is absolutely nothing like sharing a hunt with people one has unted with for so many years.

Well said Saeed.
My wife and I will be there in six weeks time and can't wait. This will be our fourth year in a row. SmallBore - you dont know what you're missing ! I can only guess that a small amount of the money we pay must find its way in to the pockets of some undesirables, but I'm more interested in the locals that I know for sure that we definitely benefit. The same thing happens when we all pay our taxes, whatever part of the world we live in !!

quote:

Originally posted by Small Bore:
We have been looking at a hunt in 2010 and have pretty much settled on Zambia for hippo, buffalo and leopard and a few odds and sods.

One outfit in Zim was recommended strongly but there is no way on God's earth that I would put money in the hands of the Zimbabwe Government in the form of trophy fees or anything else.

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't Zim a pariah state that should not be supported by anybody fortunate enough to live in a democracy?

Small Bore, who are you hunting with? I will most likely be going back to Zambia next year.

Cheers,
Andy

Gentlemen- My girlfriend and I will be in John duPlooys Chanjuzi block on the 1st of august, 2010. Hopefully we can have a beer in Lusaka, or maybe even in camp! PHIL

quote:

Gentlemen- My girlfriend and I will be in John duPlooys Chanjuzi block on the 1st of august, 2010. Hopefully we can have a beer in Lusaka, or maybe even in camp! PHIL

Damn I'm jealous... tell Johnny and Laura hello for me!

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Balla Balla, although it wasn't the offical currancy in NZ I had no problem with merchants taking it. Now that was a few yrs ago but I am sure it is a welcome sight in NZ yet today.

Hi Old hunter

US Dollars are welcome from tourists travelling within NZ to be exchanged at bank or foreign exchange outlets, or the international hotels etc, just like with other currencies. I personally dont know of any run of the mill traders whom actually advertise their products for sale in US$ as it is not the accepted legal currency of NZ. Of course individuals can accept US notes or similar if they choose, that is a personal choice.

My point essentially is, Zimbabwe has formally made the US$ a bona fide currency of the country for trade and in real life replaced the Zim Dollar which is worthless. In NZ we can/do accept US$ but it is not our currency

My thoughts on Zim's are (tongue in cheek) just to emphasize that when we get into talking billions and trillions, what is a couple of billion extra between friends, especially as it appers to me, and possibly to a lot of hard working Americans that money grows on trees with the current tribe of financial wizards that you chaps have running the monetory show.

I hope it turns out OK in the end as the trillions just keep mounting and mounting, it is getting mind boggloing really that one can just print fake money and solve the problem !! Where did that logic come from is my question, and where has it worked before, successfully ?

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Just a thought !!!

With the USA treasury PRINTING MONEY, about 200 billion, well not actual money, but PHONEY ELECTRONIC IOU'S or Bond notes, call it what you like.

Surely they could have added on a miniscule extra (5 billion) and given it to Zimbabwe to get her out the crap, after all it is false money so you chaps in USA would never see it again anyhow, so it is not a problem and it would help Zim's considerably (-:

Am I (talking throught a long barrel) or am I in line for Geitners job (-:

Cheers, Peter ( NZ financial wizard )

And the Canadians too!

Canada is the only country in the world that can easily feed its entire population and then some.

Bwanamrm- I shall be sure and send your regards! Your hunt report was what solidified my booking with Muchinga, and I honestly can't wait...

sorry for the hijacking-BN

I was there in October. I felt 100% safe the entire time. I can't say the same thing when leaving the Johannesburg airport.

quote:

Bwanamrm- I shall be sure and send your regards! Your hunt report was what solidified my booking with Muchinga, and I honestly can't wait...

The Chanjuzi is a magical place full of the wonders that make wild Africa! You will have a great safari and I expect a hunt report full of super trophies and pics on your return!