Hotels & Lodges:- Urban hip hotels- (Critchly Hackle & The Highlander), Peebles Country Retreat, Dullstroom Inn, etc. Bed and Breakfast , Guest houses , Farm stays, These all add up to an astonishing 2000 beds The Occupancy rate is 80% full on average over 10 months of the year.

Secondary supporting businesses Restaurants Coffee shops , Gift shops, Estate Agents, Supermarkets, Filling stations, Hardware stores, Stationery, Chemist, Pubs /Liquor stores/Shabeens, Spaza’s informal street markets

There are three or four tackle shops

Emakhazeni Responsible Tourism Plan

Draft document 2008 • It is perceived by many that tourism has potential as a pro‐poor strategy, which is an

emerging theme in development literature, thus promoting community development and sustainability in a manner that is not harmful to the environment and the communities involved

• According to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) the tourism sector is viewed as a key driver with regard to economic expansion and employment creation and thus an integral part of South African policy vis‐à‐vis local economic development (Viljoen andTlablela, 2007).

• MARKET ANALYSIS • A supply analysis of tourism product in the area was conducted. Tourism demand

was also investigated and a SWOT analysis was conducted based on the primary research findings. The key findings of the market analysis concluded:

• Dullstroom is the largest tourism node in the area. • Fly‐fishing is one of the main reasons for visit. • Domestic tourism is a strong market segment in the area. • The area is weekend destination. • Gauteng is the main source market. • The area has a strong family market. • The area is regarded as an en route destination. • The natural attributes of the area is one of its main pulling factors.

The following projects relating to fly fishing were identified in the LED Strategy with regards to tourism development (Urban‐Econ, 2007). These included : a. Develop a fly‐fishing tourism route between all four urban nodes (Dullstroom, Belfast,

Machadodorp

b. Development of a budget fly fishing chalet complex in Machadodorp. c. Development of accommodation, recreational and sport facilities at Belfast Dam

The figure below provides an indication of the distribution of tourism establishments in the area. It is evident that the largest

tourism precinct is situated in and around Dullstroom, which is considered as the tourism hub of the area.

Dullstroom

Waterval

Boven

Machadodorp

Belfast

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

Reasons for visiting Dullstroom

History Retirement location

Safety Convenience

Accessibility ‐ getaway destination from Gauteng

En route destination to Lowveld Location ‐ beautify scenery, quiet

Natural attributes Fly‐fishing

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0%

Job Creation

In a study done by Garth Butler of the University of Johannesburg it was found that : by 2012 - 1100 people were employed in the tourism industry in Dullstroom on a permanent basis and a further 200 people were temporally employed . The total population according to the 2011 population census was 5222 in Dullstroom, Sakhelwe and the surrounding Farms Tourism as part of the trout value chain directly employs 75% + of the working population of Dullstroom.

Social and Economic Upliftment created by the Local Businesses

Over R100 000.00 was raised last year alone by local business through Fly Fishing Competitions and the funds donated to charity organizations such as the Local branch of Epilepsy S.A., Helping Hands, The Diana institute .etc

OTHER SOCIAL SUPPORT INCLUDES a. Free swimming lessons for the local kids b. Sporting sponsorships for local Township or Farm kids c. Support and donations of desks, chairs, books etc. to Township & Farm schools d. Free Environmental lessons in the Township schools. e. Sponsored outings to the Bird of Prey Centre for Lodge workers and families. f. Establishment of a learning Centre in Dullstroom. g. Transporting of Local artist to outside venues. h. Donations and support for the Hospis clinic

Informal Markets Local crafts sold to tourists

Growing out and planting indigenous Trees and shrubs

Selling off surplus indigenous plants and trees to tourists

Fly fishing is a Healthy energetic outdoor activity for the youth of the

country

In Conclusion

1. Any Legislation prohibiting the stocking of trout into the rivers and dams within the areas previously stocked in the last 30 years would not only be disastrous to:

a) The local economy. b) The regional and provincial economy and ultimately c) National economy .

2. Job losses would be devastating. 3. Social upliftment programmes could no longer be supported. 4. Crime levels would increase due to job losses. 5. The environment would suffer due to lack of funds and the will to tackle Alien plant invasions, Erosion , 6. Red data Fauna and flora species would be lost.