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Whether you are looking for a Destination Management Company, a Professional Conference and Event Organiser, an Airline, a Shuttle Service,

Car Hire or City and Safari Lodge Accommodation, SATSA members are just a click away - right on your desktop in fact.

Besides the member search function, the SATSA Widget will also keep you updated on local travel trade news, events and topical information relating

to the region.

By doing business with a SATSA member, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your selected travel trade partner in southern Africa adheres to strict

annual compliance criteria in terms of legal, financial and insurance credibility. And you’ll find it reassuring to know that our members are

Bonded* to cover advance deposits against your booking.

For more information visit:www.satsa.com

or contact:086 12 SATSA (72872)

E-mail: membership@satsa.co.za

Your Credible Tourism Partners in Southern Africa

Download the SATSA Desktop Widget

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* The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) is the only inbound tourism NGO to have established a Lost Advances Fund whereby members, and clients of members, have

access to a measure of financial protection to cover forward booking deposits in case of the involuntary liquidation of a member. We call this SATSA Bonded (Terms and conditions apply).

NOVEMBER 201302 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

NOVEMBER 2013 03Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

EDITORIAL06 Cover Story - Monkey Helpline10 Article Discussions BUSINESS11 Connectivity in tourism12 Q3 Tourism Business Index13 SATSA Market Intelligence Report COMPETITION14 Hanglip Mountain Lodge - Entabeni CONSERVATION16 Rhino Horns poisoned at Thula-Thula EVENTS Visit our website Events Calendar

PUBLISHERTourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd.PO Box 891, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Company Reg.No.: 2006/015252/07Website: www.tourismtattler.co.za

MANAGING EDITOR Des LangkildeTel: +27 (0)32 815 0414 Cell: +27 (0)82 374 7260Fax: +27 (0)86 651 8080E-mail: editor@tourismtattler.co.zaSkype: tourismtattler

ASSISTANT EDITOR Qochiwe MoyoTel: +27 (0)11 886 9996Fax: +27 (0)11 886 7557E-mail: communications@satsa.co.za Skype: satsa-comms

ADVERTISING MANAGER Bev LangkildeTel: +27 (0)32 815 0414 / (0)31 813 5326Fax: +27 (0)86 656 3860Cell: +27 (0)71 224 9971E-mail: bev@tourismtattler.co.zaSkype: bevtourismtattler

SUBSCRIPTIONSEmail: subscriptions@tourismtattler.co.za Skype: subscribetourismtattler

Issue 11 (November) 2013

The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA)Tel: +2711 315 2420/1Fax: +2711 315 2422Webite: www.retosa.co.za

Disclaimer: The Tourism Tattler is published by Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd and is the official trade journal of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). The Tourism Tattler digital e-zine, is distributed free of charge to bona fide tourism stakeholders. Letters to the Editor are assumed intended for publication in whole or part and may therefore be used for such purpose. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publication are provided in good faith and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd, SATSA, its staff and its production suppliers. Advice provided herein should not be soley relied upon as each set of circumstances may differ. Professional advice should be sought in each instance. Neither Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd, SATSA, its staff and its production suppliers can be held legally liable in any way for damages of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from any facts or information provided or omitted in these pages or from any statements made or withheld or from supplied photographs or graphic images reproduced by the publication.

Adv. Louis NelDes Langkilde

Contents

HOSPITALITY18 How to establish a Guesthouse LEGAL26 ‘POPI’ Act - Part 7 RISK28 Liability explained TRANSPORT30 Off Road Driving Guide - Part 2 TRADE NEWS Visit our website for daily travel news in and to Africa.

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA)Tel: +2786 127 2872 Fax: +2711 886 755Webite: www.satsa.com

Official Travel Trade Journal of:

The Regional Tourism

02 SATSA04 Avis04 BnB Sure04 Globe Lotter Tours04 Heritage Clothing04 NAA-SA04 Neil’s Transfers04 White Shark Projects

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

MAGAZINE SPONSORS

SATSA PROUD SPONSOR

05 Mercedes-Benz11 ComputEasy15 Protea Hotel Group17 City Lodge Hotel Group21 SA Tourism - Welcome23 SA Tourism - TGCSA26 Savage Jooste & Adams Attorneys29 SATIB Insurance Brokers

Competition: Win 2 nights for 2 at Entabeni Safari Conservancy in South Africa

Transport: A Guide to Off Road Driving - Vehicle Recovery

National Accommodation Association of South Africa (NAA-SA)Tel: +2786 186 2272Fax: +2786 225 9858Website: www.naa-sa.co.za

IN THIS ISSUE

18

Transport: A Guide to Off Road Driving - Vehicle Recovery

30Official Media Partner to:

Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association Tel: +248 432 5560Fax: +248 422 5718Website: www.shta.sc

14

Martin Jansen van VuurenPaul Halley

Pieter Philipse

Hospitatlity: How to establish a B&B or Guesthouse

NOVEMBER 201304 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

Southern Africa enquiries to:Des@TransMediaBarter.com

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NOVEMBER 2013 05Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

NOVEMBER 201306 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

cover storyOur cover for November is dedicated to the Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) - a misunderstood and often maltreated species found throughout much of Southern and East Africa.Vervet monkeys have few natural predators other than leopards, eagles, pythons, baboons and of course, humans.In spite of low predator populations in many areas, human development has encroached on wild territories, resulting in this species being killed by electricity pylons, vehicles, dogs, pellet guns, poison, and bullets, in addition to being trapped for traditional medicine, bush meat, and for biomedical research.

In residential areas, Vervet monkeys are commonly regarded as pests, and this perception frequently leads to their being shot, poisoned and maimed. The best way to deal with what does become a problem for some people is to gain more understanding and knowledge about these small creatures that often share our space. They live in closely-knit social communities and are intelligent, friendly little creatures unless they feel threatened or are under attack.

Some facts

No, Vervet monkeys do not carry rabies. They also do not carry fleas. They groom themselves and one another meticulously and constantly. Grooming also reinforces bonds within the troop and is a sign of respect and affection.

Winter and periods of summer drought make life very difficult for the Vervet population. They can no longer rely on the fruits and berries of trees, and much of the indigenous vegetation used to sustain them has been eliminated by developers. Out of sheer desperation, they will raid crops, houses and dustbins. The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa has found that its “decade-long association with monkeys has revealed that a monkey without an appetite won’t bother taking the high risk of invading a house”.

Love them or hate them, even be indifferent to them, but they are here to stay IF we can educate and enlighten enough people to care about who monkeys really are! Those people who dislike or fear monkeys are directly, and indirectly, responsible for the unwarranted bad press they get and also most of the terrible suffering they endure every day. Vervet monkeys are amongst the most misunderstood, maligned and persecuted of animals in South Africa, and certainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

So where can people find assistance and advise on Vervet monkeys?

Monkey Helpline is a volunteer group, established in 1995, and based in Westville near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Coordinated by Carol Booth and Steve Smit, the Monkey Helpline project operates throughout the province and also anywhere else in South Africa and even abroad where their assistance and advice is requested.

Monkey Helpline devotes considerable time to educating people on the reasons why monkeys behave the way they do, the things people should do, or not do, when monkeys are around, and how to humanely keep monkeys away from those places where they are not welcome. Just knowing that monkeys will NOT attack and bite people, and that they DON’T carry rabies, is enough to change antagonism and fear into tolerance and appreciation in many cases.

Monkey Helpline also runs a rescue operation and a “high care” unit. They respond to nearly one thousand rescue call-outs every year and rescue at least three monkeys every day on average, and their injuries range from wounds sustained during fights with other monkeys, dog bites, being run over by motor vehicles, electrocution, being snared, trapped or poisoned, and being shot with air (pellet) guns, catapults and firearms and being caught or injured on security razor-wire. Many are babies who are orphaned or injured when mother monkeys are attacked by dogs or other monkeys, or are severely injured or killed in human-related incidents.

“Over eighty percent of the monkeys we rescue, irrespective of the reason why, have air gun pellets lodged in their bodies. Lead pellets cause terrible pain, suffering and a lingering death and no person, adult or child, should ever shoot monkeys with a pellet gun,” says Steve Smit.

“Fact is that the use of airguns in residential areas, or anywhere else that holds the risk of injury or damage to person or property, is a crime punishable by the courts. This is very clearly spelt out in

Captions - From left to right: Carol Booth sleeping with two juveniles named Coffee and Coco, who adopted Carol as their foster mother; The six week-old on the right was shot in the face with a pellet that went through the mothers chest, killing her, and into the baby’s face; This orphaned baby was rescued after her mother was killed by three dogs in Durban’s Glen Anil suburb.

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EDITORIAL

the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, Section 120, Paragraphs 3(b) and 7. Amazingly, most South African Police Service (SAPS) officers have very little understanding of this part of the Act and most attempts to lay an airgun use related charge at a police station are met with resistance based on obvious ignorance of the contents of the Firearms Control Act insofar as airguns are concerned” adds Carol Booth.

As the only dedicated monkey rescue project in KwaZulu-Natal, the Monkey Helpline cares for over two hundred monkeys in their home-based “high care” facility. Once they have recovered from their injuries these monkeys are released back into their home territory, transferred to a rehabilitation facility or placed in a sanctuary.

Monkey Helpline has recently been offered a ninety-nine year lease, by the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation, on ten hectares of land situated within a soon to be developed five thousand hectare residential conservation estate in the Camperdown area and will soon commence construction of a benchmark sanctuary, rehabilitation and education centre on this land.

Education is a vital tool and Monkey Helpline distributes thousands of information leaflets, and visit many schools (on average two schools per week) to do educational talks about Vervet monkeys. They also do talks to many other interest groups such as police cadets, garden clubs, public service groups, conservation bodies, residential estate/complex body corporates, and the like.

Monkey Helpline is privileged to have the full time availability of vet, Dr Kerry Easson of Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Durban North.

Without the generous assistance Monkey Helpline receives from Dr Easson, the organsiation could not afford to maintain its high level of monkey rescues and treatment. Dr Easson is also a member of the Monkey Helpline management committee.

All of Monkey Helpline’s services are free of charge, however its operations are self-funded and donations towards their substantial rescue (including petrol and cell phone), veterinary and after-care costs are desperately needed. This is where Tourism Tattler readers can make a meaningful contribution to helping Vervet monkeys. Even the smallest donation will help these passionate volunteers.

For more information about Vervet Monkeys and what you need to know about them, or how to DONATE towards the cost of the work carried out by Monkey Helpline, visit their website atwww.monkeyhelpline.co.za. Also visit Carol’s Facebook page, Carol Booth-Monkey Helpline, where a daily record of most of their rescues is maintained, or the Monkey Helpline South Africa Facebook page.

Carol and Steve, who are both unsalaried, full-time volunteers, are available to do rescues 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Contact the Monkey Helpline on 082 659 4711 or 082 411 5444, or email to contact@monkeyhelpline.co.za

WARNING! The images displayed on the following two pages depict the ravages that Vervet monkeys are subjected to every day and may upset sensitive readers.

Captions - Top: Monkey Helpline’s Steve Smit checks on the monkeys in one of the Troop bonding exercise cages. From left to right: Dr Easson checking over a Thick-tailed Bushbaby hit by a motor car; A victim of a paintball attack at a residential estate; Steve with a rescued baboon and inquisitive Vervet.

All images provided courtesy of Carol Booth.

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EDITORIAL

This Vervet was found with a snare wrapped around the back of his head and through his mouth. He would have starved to death within a day or two at the most, if Monkey Helpline had not rescued him, removed the snare and cared for him. He was successfully reunited with his troop once he had recovered.

This young monkey was caught and sold to a ‘muti’ shop. His mother was killed and eaten. Monkey Helpline rescued him and gave him a second chance.

Steve Smit carefully dislodges an adult male Vervet that had fallen onto on the sharp point of a palisade fence during an altercation with another male monkey. He had to be sedated before he could be lifted off the fence and rushed to the vet for emergency treatment. He recovered sufficiently to be able to be released as part of a rehabilitation troop a year later.

This x-ray clearly shows a lead pellet lodged behind the eye socket of a young Vervet monkey.

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EDITORIAL

A young female who lost her eye after being shot with a catapult. The stone from the catapult smashed her eye into pulp causing massive infection that ultimately killed her after treatment failed to arrest the infection.

This young Vervet was shot in the head with a pellet gun and had to be euthanized.

This adult male was found with an arrow impaled through his upper arm, which shattered the humerus just above the elbow. The wound took five months to heal before he could be reunited with his troop.

Another victim of senseless cross-bow murder. This teenager was not as lucky as the adult shown at left who recovered from his wound.

This baby died in the mother’s womb a couple of weeks before birth, after the mother was shot dead with a pellet gun.

All images provided courtesy of Carol Booth.

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AVIATIONAfrica’s Tourism Arrivalshttp://www.tourismtattler.co.za/?p=8062

Submitted on 2013/10/29 at 8:14 am

Article CommentsArticle CommentsArticle Comments

Congratulations Nigel!Your comment has been chosen as the prize winner for October. Your prize of a ‘Eye of the Leopard’ DVD will be delivered to you with the compliments of Livingstones Supply Co – suppliers of the finest products to the hospitality Industry. Editor.

I feel I must respond to your piece on tourism stats. Putting Zimbabwe at No 5 in Africa’s International Tourism arrivals above say Kenya and Tanzania, is highly miss-leading and bears no truth to reality, indeed for Zimbabwe, 2.4 million international tourists is “cloud cuckoo land”. For example if you take Victoria Falls as one of, perhaps the top destination in that country, and base calculations on occupancy in hotels that we know scientifically from actual room nights sold, plus average length of stay, and average occupants per room, Vic Falls sees about 200,000 international tourists per annum. The rest of the country is guess work but even including VFR traffic, (are they still a tourists? Not really, but add them in anyway) I would still not expect the total international arrivals to exceed 1 million maximum.This industry must get away from arrival stats which are largely irrelevant. They are exaggerated and groomed to boost brand image. The figure that is relevant is how much revenue does tourism bring to a country’s exchequer both directly and indirectly. Tourism contributes roughly 3.5% to Sub Saharan Africa’s GDP and one in every twenty jobs in the region. These are figures worth discussing, let’s bin arrival stats for good.Nigel Vere Nicoll - African Travel & Tourism Association - UK

•

•

For more information visit:www.livingstonessupplyco.co.za

The winning comment posted on the Tattler website during the month of October 2013 will receive Two Kikoy Sarongs with the compliments of Livingstones Supply Co – Suppliers of the Finest Products to the Hospitality Industry.

The winning comment posted on the Tattler website during the month of October 2013 will receive Win

NICHE TOURISMAdventure Tourism: SCUBA Divinghttp://www.tourismtattler.co.za/?p=7836

Submitted on 2013/10/17 at 7:56 amThis article is primarily about getting trained. But for the trained diver going on diving tours, you fail to mention that ‘guides’ leading dives should be registered as such with DEAT just like any other guide. It’s not just about technical knowhow, but about providing an excellent guided experience to the diving tourist.

Andrew Friedemann - Adventure Qualifications - South Africa

TRADE NEWSNew GM for Southern Sun Maharani Towerhttp://www.tourismtattler.co.za/?p=7960

Submitted on 2013/10/18 at 7:17 amDear Mr Aritho, As a previous employee of the Southern Sun Group and now proud the owner of A Knights Rest Guesthouse (recently adopted by the Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse program), I would like to congratulate you on your recent appointment with Southern Sun Maharani Tower. I have no doubt that you will succeed in achieving your vision. You have the support of A Knights Rest Guesthouse and the Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse team. Congratulations!!!

Carol Cornwall-Smith - A Knights Rest Guesthouse - South Africa

Your comment has been chosen as the prize winner for October. Your prize of

delivered to you with the compliments

Comments received on the Tattler website during October

These colourful Kikoy Sarongs are hand-made in Kenya using quality local materials.

NOVEMBER 2013 11Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

BUSINESS

There was a time when all a discerning tourist required was a comfortable room and a good meal, but with the advent of cellular technology and wireless connectivity, tourists are nowadays far more demanding when it comes to hospitality services.

A growing number of hotel guests not only demand that the hotel they book at has proper wireless access but most will consider not staying at a hotel that can’t meet their basic WiFi access needs.

How did this happen? Wasn’t the new decade supposed to be all about getting off the hotel’s WiFi grid and relying on own wireless 3G cards? It was. But it seems that the cellular networks are woefully unprepared for all the Foursquaring, Twittering, Facebooking, Tumblring and old-school emailing that tourists need to do.

According to Cisco Consulting Services, South Africa’s Internet protocol (IP) traffic will quadruple between 2012 and 2017 at a compound annual growth rate of 31%. South Africa’s IP traffic (fixed and mobile) is expected to reach an annual run rate of 6.1 exabytes – almost 6.55 billion gigabytes per year – by 2017. Wi-Fi could hold the solution for mobile data service providers, transforming wireless Internet access by offering higher speeds, improved security, and more availability on almost any connected device.

In South Africa, cable or fixed-line internet access via ADSL is monopolised by Telkom, and even though the state-owned ADSL provider has agreed to drop its prices from October 17th, following a competition tribunal ruling earlier this year, competitors such as Neotel are struggling to get cables in place to meet demand, despite pumping R11bn into its networks over the next decade.

To reach areas where Neotel cannot currently provide its services, the company has partnered with smaller internet service providers.

One such company is ComputEasy Communications - a communications infrastructure specialist, who transmit data, voice and video from one site to another and use Neotel to provide the telecommunications side of their business.

ComputEasy Communications is based in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal and offers a range of Internet Access options designed to suit any business communication need and budget.

Their Internet Access Service utilises a combination of international and local carrier networks using International Telecommunications Cable and Satellite systems, with multiple redundant routes.

Broadlink is able to deliver Internet Access, using its own network, allowing for a single point of contact. This makes client interaction

Connectivity essential to tourism

Increasing consumer and business connectivity is becoming more and more essential to how we live and work today. High-speed, reliable Internet access is fundamental to business success and crucial to meeting the demands of

today’s techno-savvy tourist.

a lot simpler, as 3rd parties are not required. Today few hospitality businesses can survive without access to the Internet and the access to communications services that it provides.

ComputEasy’s Internet Services are unshaped, thus providing the freedom to do what you need to do to get your Internet Access working to meet the needs of your guests. ComputEasy’s services are sold via authorised re-seller/channel networks, and available nationally.

For more information, visit www.computeasy.co.za

NOVEMBER 201312 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

BUSINESS

Compiled by Grant Thornton, in association with First National Bank, for the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the TBI is an overall indicator of the “health” of businesses trading in the South African tourism sector. This is a business tool that can assist particularly independent and small businesses to understand their operating environment, while large businesses are able to use the index to interact with their various stakeholders.

“It’s really good to see that improved performance has increased confidence in the overall expectation for the last quarter of the year which, at 110,8 confirms the industry is feeling upbeat and expects operations to continue on a steady normal trend,” said Gillian Saunders, Grant Thornton’s Global Leader for Hospitality and Tourism who unpacked the tourism facts and figures during a media briefing in Johannesburg on 24 October.

The survey splits into two sub-indices: Accommodation and Other Tourism Businesses (tour and coach operators, vehicle rental, airlines, travel agents, retail outlets, forex traders, conference venues and attractions). Accommodation achieved an index of 110,8 and expects performance for Q4 at the similar level of 110,0.

Other Tourism Businesses reached a high of 120,1 compared to the expected 98,1. This was achieved largely by very positive performances among respondents in car hire, airline, conference centres, and activities & attractions. Not surprisingly, Other Tourism Businesses are confident that Q4 performance will be better than normal at 111,4.

32% of respondents in the Accommodation sector put Q3’s good business performance down to strong domestic business demand while 45% of respondents in the Other Tourism Sector cited the weak exchange rate, up by 2 percentage points in the last edition. Indeed, 51% of the Other Tourism Sector expect the weak exchange rate to have a positive impact on business performance in Q4 2013, while only 30% of the businesses in the Accommodation Sector expect this.

“It’s interesting to note that the businesses in both sectors which feel more positive are those that have upped their marketing efforts to respond to prevailing conditions,” said Mmatšatši Ramawela, Chief Executive of the TBCSA.

This result, when compared to other business confidence indices, shows that tourism businesses are bucking generally negative business confidence. Both the SACCI Business Confidence Index and the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index, showed a decline in their last reporting periods.

“Even though the methodologies are different, it would appear that there is a general downward tendency in business performance which is not indicated by the TBI,”explained Saunders

With regards to employment, the Accommodation Sector is positive on balance in this edition at +8,7%, an increase from the negative/

The third quarter results of the 2013 Tourism Business Index (TBI) were better than expected, reaching a high of 116,1, it’s highest performance since the survey began in late 2010. This compared to an expected index of 97,0.

3rd Quarter 2013Results Better Than

Expected

neutral balance of -0,2% recorded in the previous edition. Other Tourism Businesses have gone from a neutral outlook regarding employment in the last edition (0.0%) to a stronger positive outlook of +10,9% for Q4 2013.

“The majority of respondents in both sectors still say that their employment levels will remain unchanged. Although overall employment growth in the sector appears muted, we take comfort in noting that employment levels are not expected to fall in the next quarter. A positive development considering the economic growth concerns raised by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, in his medium-term budget speech,”Ramawela said.

Cost of inputs remains one of the most cited negative contributing factors for both Accommodation (50%) and Other Tourism Businesses (31%), as it has been for the past five consecutive quarters. Other Tourism Businesses cited competitor market behaviour as the most negative factor (36%) up by 16 percentage points on the last edition (for Q2 of 2013).

In line with predictions in the last edition, the Accommodation Sector expects negative impacting factors for Q4 to be cost of inputs (49%), insufficient domestic leisure demand (33%) and insufficient overseas leisure demand (28%). It’s a little different for Other Tourism Businesses, which expect competitor market behaviour to be one of the major negative contributing factors for the next quarter at 49%. They also identified cost of inputs (31%), insufficient domestic business demand (30%) and increases in competitive supply (29%) to impact negatively on Q4.

When looking at next year, accommodation respondents expressed, on balance, a negative outlook (-13,6%) which continues the pessimistic expectation shown in the prior edition. Since the inception of the index the accommodation sector has only once expressed a positive outlook for the next year (Q1 2013). “Despite the fact that trading conditions have improved to normal levels since late 2012, longer term confidence has not returned to this sector,” said Saunders. By contrast, Other Tourism Businesses are positive about the outlook for the next year at an index of +34,5%, the highest level achieved since the TBI Index commenced.

In conclusion, Ramawela urged all business operating in the travel and tourism sector to continue supporting the index, stressing the importance of the TBI as a useful tool for business to better understand the tourism operating environment.

Ramawela’s closing comment raises the question of ‘protectionist’ attitudes to data sharing in the travel trade. “Operators are cautious in submitting data as they fear falling foul of the competition commission or attracting undue attention from the Receiver of Revenue,” said Sandile Ntseoane, General Manager of the South African Vehicle Rental And Leasing Association (SAVRALA).

Download the index at www.tourismtattler.co.za/downloads/TBI-Report-Q3-2013.pdf

NOVEMBER 2013 13Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

The information below was extracted from data available as at 31 October 2013, by Martin Jansen van Vuuren of Grant Thornton.

ARRIVALSThe latest available data from Statistics South Africa is for January to June 2013:

Current period Change over same period last year

UK 214 175 -0.6%

Germany 135 136 13.8%

USA 162 236 4.3%

India 59 161 11.0%

China 74 652 23.9%

Overseas Arrivals (excl same day visitors) 1 234 241 6.1%

African Arrivals 3 397 524 4.9%

Total Foreign Arrivals 4 642 217 5.1%

NB: African Arrivals plus Overseas Arrivals do not add up to Total Foreign Arrivals due to the exclusion of unspecified arrivals, which cannot be allocated to either African or Overseas.

HOTEL STATSThe latest available data from STR Global is for January to August 2013:

Current period Average Room Average Room Revenue Per Available Occupancy (ARO) Rate (ARR) Room (RevPAR)

All Hotels in SA 60.0% R 951 R 571

All 5-star hotels in SA 60.1% R 1 678 R 1 008

All 4-star hotels in SA 59.7% R 917 R 547

All 3-star hotels in SA 60.2% R 762 R 458

Change over same period last year

All Hotels in SA 4.1% 8.9% 13.4%

All 5-star hotels in SA 7.9% 8.2% 16.8%

All 4-star hotels in SA 2.9% 9.1% 12.3%

All 3-star hotels in SA 4.3% 8.1% 12.8%

ACSA DATAThe latest available data from ACSA is for January to September 2013:

Change over same period last year Passengers arriving on Passengers arriving on Passengers arriving on International Flights Regional Flights Domestic Flights

OR Tambo International 5.0% 6.6% -4.1%

Cape Town International -4.4% -3.3% -2.4%

King Shaka International 19.2% N/A -6.7%

BUSINESS

Market IntelligenceReport

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MY BUSINESS

Data from Statistics South Africa indicates that overseas arrivals have increased by 6.1% during the first half of 2013. This growth is reflected in the STR Global data which indicates growth in occupancies, coupled to good growth in rates resulting in strong growth in RevPar.

The ACSA data mirrors the increase in foreign arrivals but indicates that travel on domestic flights continue to decline due to the recent decline in seat capacity on domestic routes.

Tourism enterprises targeting foreign tourists should experience an increase in their businesses while tourism enterprises dependent on the domestic market should be more constrained. An opportunity exists to target foreign tourists but tourism enterprises should be cautious not to base their competitiveness on the depreciated Rand but rather on their service offering.

For more information contact Martin at Grant Thornton on +27 (0)21 417 8838 or visit: http://www.gt.co.za

NOVEMBER 201314 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

Encounter the supreme wildlife of Africa including the Big Five with qualified rangers, either in open safari game viewing vehicles or experience the adventure on foot while scenic helicopter flights provide a bird’s eye view “beyond comparison”. Other activities include golf, stargazing, sunset cruises, bush dinners, marimba band, drumming, cultural village, and the Wildlife Cultural Centre.

Central Reservations OfficeTel : +27 (0) 12 361 6303 Fax : +27 (0) 12 361 5674Email : reservations@legendlodges.co.zaWebsite : www.legendlodges.co.za

Note: Read the Terms and Conditions of this competition, which can be downloaded at: www.tourismtattler.co.za/wp-content/images/LegendLodges-Entabeni-Safari-Conservancy-Competition-TermsConditions.pdf

COMPETITION

To enter this competition, simply find the answer to the following question (the answer can be found in the text below) and visit the Tourism Tattler website at: www.tourismtattler.co.za/?p=6540.

“What does the Zulu word Entabeni mean?”

The first correct entry drawn after the closing date of 28 November 2013 will win two nights for two adults sharing at Hanglip Mountain Lodge located in the Entabeni Safari Conservancy, with the compliments of Legend Lodges. The prize, which is valued at R11 800. is inclusive of full board accommodation (all meals, including tea and coffee) and game drives.

Entabeni, which means “The Place of the Mountain” in isiZulu, is a Safari Conservancy situated in the World Heritage “Waterberg Biosphere” of the Waterberg region. Approximately a three-hour drive north of Johannesburg, this 22 000ha malaria-free reserve boasts five eco-systems. The upper escarpment offers majestic craggy rock formations and wide-open grass plains. This is separated from the lower plateau by 600m high cliffs. The lower escarpment is approximately three degrees warmer and comprises sandveld vegetation and a series of wetlands.

Entabeni offers 5 lodges - from the intimate Kingfisher and Hanglip Mountain Lodges, to the luxurious Lakeside and Ravineside Lodges and Wildside Safari Camp. Entabeni offers guests an array of dining experiences beyond comparison at its various restaurants and bush venues. Each Lodge has a Restaurant where buffet breakfasts and luncheons are served while dinner is usually served outdoors in the boma where a roaring fire and nocturnal calls of the wild create the perfect, relaxing end to an exhilarating day in the bush.

Entabeni Safari Conservancy

Win

WINNER OF THE CLUB MYKONOS COMPETITION FROM THE OCTOBER 2013 EDITION

CONGRATULATIONS to Madelaine Owens of African Spirit Game Lodge, in Mkuze, South Africa. Madelaine won seven nights’ self-catering accommodation for four people, plus R1,000.00 in restaurant meal vouchers and two spa vouchers, with the compliments of Club Mykonos. The prize is valued at R15,100.00.

Entabeni 2 Nights for 2 at

www.clubmykonos.co.za

NOVEMBER 2013 15Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

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CONSERVATION

THULA THULA EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE in KwaZulu-Natal is the very first privately owned game reserve in Kwa-Zulu-Natal to take the unprecedented step of infusing their rhino horns.

Françoise Malby-Anthony, Managing Director and co-owner of Thula Thula, widow of the late Lawrence Anthony, world-renowned conservationist, co-author of three best-sellers and founder of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, in consultation with their wildlife consultant David Bozas, and veterinarian, Dr. Mike Toft, have made the decision to take this drastic step. On 29 October, Thabo and Nthombi were successfully darted,anaesthetised and their horns infused - the start of our rhino horn infusion programme.

Thula Thula Rhinos, Thabo and Nthombi are two orphans, relocated to Thula Thula from Moholoholo Rehab Centre when they were only a few months old. They were released into the game reserve under high surveillance. Armed guards accompany them 24/7 to protect them from poachers. With a gunfight having taken place in early 2012 when Thabo was shot in the front leg – as well as the loss of Heidi, the reserve’s female white rhino, killed by poachers in 2009, the need for increasing protective measures is a harsh reality.

Though still controversial, rhino horn infusion is a sustainable, cost effective proactive solution to the ongoing rhino poaching scourge. A special compound of depot ectoparasiticides (though completely safe for rhino and other wildlife), is infused through a hole drilled into the rhino horn, (using a patented high-pressure device designed by a South African wildlife vet) and is then absorbed by the entire horn, remaining effective for up to 7 years, the time taken for the entire horn to grow out.

An indelible dye that saturates the horn is also inserted and cannot be removed; if the horn is cut through (should the animal be poached) it has a blue colour to it. Apart from warning international crime syndicates and those using rhino-based traditional health remedies that the horns could cause serious illness, the dye can also be picked up on airport X-ray scanning machines – even if the horn is ground to powder.

To face the harsh reality of rhino poaching in South Africa, rhino horn infusion is being used as a security measure that may be the best solution to protect the dwindling populations.

Rhino horn poisoned

DNA sampling (results of which will go into a nationwide data base) and microchip tracking technology is also undertaken. Signs warning poachers have been placed around the entire boundary of the reserve (kindly donated by The Sign Factory, Empangeni).

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our generous donors who have donated funds, donated their artwork to sell, bought paintings, tee-shirts or raffle tickets. It is thanks to all of you that we have been able to take this next very important step in our rhino conservation programme,” said Françoise.

For further information on visiting Thula Thula, donating to the Thula Thula Rhino Fund or Sanctuary, or information on how to win a two night stay, email francoise@thulathula.com or visit their website at www.thulathula.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Thula-Thula-Exclusive-Private-Game-Reserve/106135859547

Ectoparasiticide makes rhino horn unsuitable for human consumption – it causes serious illness, leading to diarrhoea, nausea and in extreme cases convulsions and nerve disorder.

DNA sampling (results of which will go into a nationwide data base) and microchip tracking technology is also undertaken. Signs warning poachers have been placed around the entire boundary of the reserve (kindly donated by The Sign Factory, Empangeni).

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our generous donors who have donated funds, donated their artwork to sell, bought paintings, tee-shirts or raffle tickets. It is thanks to all of you that we have been able to take this next very important step in our rhino conservation programme,” said Françoise.

For further information on visiting Thula Thula, donating to the Thula

Images courtesy of Cameron Engelbrecht

17Tourism Tattler Trade Journal NOVEMBER 2013

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME, WHEREVER BUSINESS TAKES YOU IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

From Bellville to Bryanston and Port Elizabeth to Gaborone, we have 53 conveniently located hotels that will make you feel right at home (and won’t break the bosses’ budget either)

Whether it’s at a Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge or Road Lodge, we have a conveniently located hotel to suit all pockets

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As tourism is a service industry, it is critical that you focus on customer service. By providing clients with excellent service, you will enjoy not only repeat business but new business through referrals from satisfied customers. This, in the long run, may prove as important as all your marketing initiatives.

The advice in this article is specific to South Africa and is meant to serve as a guide during the conceptual and thinking process, as well as the critical planning stage involved in setting up a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) or Guesthouse business. The aim is to help you establish a business that meets the high service ethic and business standards that are demanded by the tourism market. Contact numbers and website addresses of professional institutions who can further assist in this process are provided at the end of this article.

Five reasons why most businesses fail:

It is said that 80% of new businesses close within the first two years of opening, largely due to:

1. Lack of a proper business plan encapsulating the planning and preparation, especially the prediction of market demand.

2. Inadequate management skills.3. Insufficient capital to launch the business and carry it through

the various development phases of a growing Business.4. Insufficient marketing.5. Cash flow constraints.

Tips on how to help make your business succeed:

•Fully conceptualise your idea.

•Talk to the local municipal authorities under whose jurisdiction your business will operate. Many regulations may need to be complied with, and ignorance of the law is no defence. Heavy penalties may apply.

•Contact one of the trade associations. Their criteria for membership is usually a summary of all legal requirements. In addition, it will assist in other ways with the establishment of a successful business, based on the experience of their members over many years.

•Set up a proper legal trading company. If you have the means, meet with an accountant, lawyer, road transport specialist, bank manager, review the Receiver of Revenue’s website and the like. Several banks such as Absa, FNB and Nedbank have websites spelling out every

Establish a Bed & Breakfast or Guesthouse

This article provides a basic guide on how to establish a B&B or Guesthouse in South Africa. Links to related organisations and associations are provided at the end of the article for further research on the subject,

writes Des Langkilde.

step in establishing a business, as well as more practical assistance in the form of mentorship and consulting services.

•Funds to start up your business have to be secured through commercial lending channels, such as banks and financing companies. Typically, any financier would expect you to back your own venture with a proportion of the capital. Remember that any tourism related business might take up to three years before it develops a market share and becomes financially viable.

•Before approaching financiers, prepare a detailed business plan. Do much preliminary work and research, and develop a good knowledge of your proposed business.

•Have a well-planned and properly researched presentation of your concept. This will allow advisors and financier’s time to read and absorb it, pre-empting the possibility of bad communication prejudicing your application.

•To achieve the best results you will need to commit time and money to the planning stage. The amount of effort you initially invest will significantly enhance your chances of success. If you don’t have the time, passion, or the skills to do the work, then it is best to employ a qualified consultant or professional.

Note that legislation requires that all businesses providing services to tourists be registered with the provincial and local tourism authority.

What is the difference between a B&B and a Guesthouse?

A B&B establishment is an informal, periodic accommodation operation that is run from a private home. The maximum number of guest bedrooms in a B&B is three. Any application received for a B&B with more than three bedrooms is automatically treated as a guesthouse.

A guesthouse is then a commercial accommodation establishment that offers between four and sixteen bedrooms, and has as its primary source of business the supply of tourist accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are available to guests, particularly where the latter is not readily available in the vicinity of the establishment.

1. POLICY

According to local municipal council policy there are certain standards that must be followed when running a B&B:•A minimum of 50% of lettable rooms must be commercial beds.

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•Breakfast is the only meal that needs be served.•The predominant land usage is residential. The dwelling and the

residential character of the home are to be maintained. The size of both the house and the land are to be taken into consideration, and negative impacts managed. This is at the discretion of the landlord.

•The minimum facilities to be provided to all guests are a dining area as well as bathroom and toilet that are separate from that of the hosts. Utilisation of the owner’s garden or any other facility is only for use by overnight registered guests.

•Kitchen facilities will be provided to guests. Only one off-road parking and kitchen facility per dwelling unit is permissible,

•It is compulsory to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

When applying to open a B&B or guesthouse, local municipal council policy prescribes the following steps:•Neighbours must to be notified of the proposed business venture,

and given the opportunity to lodge objections. In the event of a complaint, a Special Consent application can then be made to the authority in terms of the Development and Planning Act.

•For group housing/cluster area applications, the owner must obtain consent from the Body Corporate, or the Home Owners’ Association, prior to submitting an application to the municipality. Title deed conditions and/or restrictions become applicable only when the predominant use of the land is other than that of the current usage.

•Road and directional signage must be in line with the existing character of the locality, and must conform to the signage policy of the council.

•Signage erected on state roads in rural areas is subject to the policy of the Provincial Department of Transport.

•Neon lighting must be in line with the existing character of the locality, and must conform to the policy of the local council, or any other regulations that exist.

•Municipal bylaws on noise must be adhered to and the environment and general area must be preserved and kept in good condition. The rates base on the property concerned will not change for typical B&B establishments. However, should the establishment require rezoning, the rates base will change. This will be at the discretion of the municipality.

If you propose to open a B&B or guesthouse in a rural or farm area,

the same regulations as those applicable in urban areas will apply. Accommodation facilities on farmland will become rate-able, and the municipality will collect these rates where applicable.

2. LAND AND PLANNING ISSUES

2.1. Available Space

Discuss with the Municipal Tourism Division or the Municipal Area Planning Office whether you have enough space to cope with the number of people you wish to accommodate.

2.2. Amenity Value

Before proceeding, you should ask yourself the following pertinent questions:•Is the site you have chosen quiet enough for people to sleep

undisturbed?•Are the street surrounds well kept and maintained?•Is the site free from unpleasant odours?

2.3. Accessibility / Roads

You will need to determine whether your business will be easy to find for those using their own transport or using public transport.

The local municipality has control measures in place for the erection of any signs. If new access onto streets is needed, the municipality will usually construct them for your cost. Permission must be obtained from the Provincial Department of Transport to construct new access points onto main roads outside of the municipal area.

3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Land Use Zoning

Visit your local development planning office to establish whether the Town Planning Scheme permits the activity on the site you have chosen.

The establishment of a new enterprise in which the present use is substantially changed may require a scoping report to be prepared in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998). The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs should be consulted in this regard.

Where a Special Consent is needed, as in terms of the Planning and

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Development Act (5 of 1998), it must be obtained from the council prior to the establishment of the new business.

4. BUSINESS ISSUES

4.1 Structure of Your Business

The South African Companies Act of 2008, which came into operation on the 1st of May 2011 has resulted in the discontinuation of close corporations. As a result, only two types of companies may be incorporated under the Act, namely profit companies and non-profit companies.

4.1a Profit companies may be incorporated under the following company types:

4.1a.1 Private Companies (Pty) Ltd. Under the new Act, Private companies are prohibited from offering securities to the public and the transferability of their shares are also restricted. Private companies however, are no longer limited to 50 members as was the case under the 1973 Companies Act.

4.1a.2 Public Companies (Ltd). The definition of a public company is largely unchanged. The only difference is that a public company under the new Act only requires one member for incorporation compared to the 7 members previously required under the old companies Act.

4.1a.3 Personal Liability Companies (Inc). The directors and past directors (where applicable) of such companies are jointly and severally liable together with the company for any debts and liabilities arising during their periods of office.

4.1a.4 State-Owned Companies (SOC Ltd). A State owned company is either a company defined as a “state-owned enterprise” in the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 or a company owned by a municipality. The majority of the provisions of a public company will apply to state-owned companies as well.

4.1a.5 Foreign and External Companies. A foreign company is a company incorporated outside of South Africa , irrespective of whether it is a profit or non-profit company or carrying on business in South Africa or not. A foreign company is prohibited from offering securities to the South African public unless it follows the specific provisions of the Companies Act, relating to offers to the public.

A foreign company is required to register as en “external company” with the CIPC if it conducts or intends to conduct business in South Africa. The Companies Act in terms of Sect 23 lists a series of activities which will be regarded as conducting business. This list is much broader than the provision in the 1973 Companies Act relating to a “place of business” in South Africa.

4.1b Non-profit Companies (NPC) are incorporated for public benefit or other object relating to one or more cultural or social activities, or communal or group interests, and the income and property of which are not distributable to its incorporators, members, directors, officers or persons related to any of them.

For more information on company name registrations, trade mark protection and company type registration procedures, prices and applicable forms, visit the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission website at www.cipc.co.za.

5. MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS

Running and managing your business involves:•Bookkeeping and accounting;•Arrangement of VAT and company taxes, PAYE and skills

development levies, UIF and other taxes;•Record-keeping for your own records;•Marketing and public relations;•Taking and managing bookings from clients;•Employment and labour conditions which include employment

equity;•Industrial relations, including dealing with labour unions and the

conditions of employment;•Training of staff: it is vitally important that staff are trained in

customer care in an effort to be professional in your field;•·Insurance, which includes cover for both security and public liability.

Chambers of commerce will be able to provide you with the details of organisations that give advice on the management of a business.

6. MARKETING

When you hear the word ‘marketing’ you automatically think of advertising or brochures. These are the visible aspects of marketing, but there is more to marketing than just advertising and brochures. There is a whole range of activity designed to identify and satisfy customers. Marketing is not something that you do once off, it is a process and should be part of your everyday business activities.

Marketing has to do with:•Creating something which potential customers want;•Offering your product in a place which is convenient and attractive

to customers;•Offering your product at a price that is reasonable and fair;•Letting potential customers know about your product through the

many forms of communication;•Attending local and international exhibitions in an effort to promote

your company.

Marketing and advertising of your business can be done through a variety of mediums that include printed brochures, Internet, television as well as word of mouth. South African Tourism, Municipal Authority Tourism Divisions and tourism / hospitality trade associations all have tourism asset databases that provide information on tourism facilities and allow the use of their logo on marketing collateral displayed at local and international exhibitions and events. You can also supply publicity associations with information on your company that can be passed on to potential clients.

Market research is an invaluable tool in determining how appropriate your business will be to future clients, finding out what your potential market would ideally want from you, and in respect of after-service, whether you have delivered what they desire. This can be achieved by ‘surveying’ people and customers.

It is best to include an easily readable map of where your business is located in any brochures you print or linked to any website services directory, such as the Tourism Tattler that you subscribe to.

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7. VOLUNTARY REQUIREMENTS

It’s advisable to become a member of Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). This hospitality grading body provides tourists with the assurance that certain standards are being met, looks after the reputation of the industry, and membership can be used as an effective marketing tool.

With a recognised grading system, the accommodation sector has had the opportunity to add, improve and tweak its methods, though the end goal hasn’t changed at all. The system offers reassurance to the travelling tourist that a recognised system of quality assurance is in place, and delivers an overall improvement of services and facilities. It is also the objective of the grading council that the accommodation sector is comfortable with how the system functions and that equal responsibility and combined attention will benefit everyone. Encouragement of customer feedback and ongoing participation produce the best results, not only for the grading system but your own service ethic.

Benefits:•Graded establishments are required to display the Grading

Council plaque outside their premises. The certificate inside their premises must display their star rating and indicate that they meet or exceed the Grading Council’s requirements.• Graded establishments may use the Grading Council logo (star) in all their marketing collateral.• All graded establishments are listed on

the Tourism Grading Council website with the following details: name of establishment, contact person, telephone and fax number, category, address, e-mail address and web-site details with link to establishment’s website for reservation purposes.

•All graded establishments get a free listing in The annual TGCSA Accommodation Guide and advertising is also available. The TGCSA Accommodation Guide is the only accommodation guide distributed by SA Tourism via its call centre and offices worldwide, Conference venues are listed in the Accommodation Guide.

•SA Tourism endorses and uses star graded establishments ahead of non-graded establishments as listed on the official SA Tourism website www.southafrica.net.

•Grading assists organisations in positioning their products.•All government departments are required to procure accommodation

from graded establishments only.•Grading is a constant quality control tool as customers can call the

customer feedback centre on 0861 GRADED (0861 472 333), or fill in postage paid postcards available at graded establishments.

•The Grading Council actively markets star grading directly to consumers, tour operators and travel agents.

Grading process

When embarking on the grading of an establishment, regardless of the category or the nature of services, the following takes place:

To begin with, The Tourism Grading Council makes available documents that cover the Minimum Requirements and the Grading Criteria. Both sets of documents set out to make clear exactly what will be required to meet the quality levels needed, when obtaining a star grading.

The Minimum Requirements set out and define the lowest quality standard demanded throughout each area of the establishment and it will be these areas that will be selected for review.

For example, a description under Housekeeping reads “All rooms,

venues, fittings, furniture and equipment should be kept clean and well maintained”. These written explanations provide an understanding of how and what is expected, in each area, from the establishment.

The Minimum Requirements document contains a description of each area within the establishment and those will be the areas that the assessor will be judging, when making a final recommendation.

The document is essentially a detailed guide as to what the management or owner of an establishment needs to have in place in order to begin to offer a quality product or service offering.

It should also be remembered that these are only the Minimum Requirements and to gain a better understanding of the higher levels of quality, one needs to turn to the documents - Grading Criteria.

The Grading Criteria documents take a much more in-depth look at each aspect and area of the establishment service offering. There are separate documents for each category and definitions as to the nature of the different types of establishments.

Once the management or owner of an establishment is satisfied that they can match the standards covered in these documents then application for grading can begin. There are certain business, licence and safety documents that will need to be completed (contact TGCSA for further advice, or go to Application on the Website).

It should always be remembered that the function of TGCSA is not that of policing, rather business partner. TGCSA is always ready and willing to offer any possible assistance to any establishment wishing to be graded.

What is involved?

Only establishments having the following minimum requirements will be considered for grading:•Public liability insurance;•Safety and security is provided for clients and staff;•Health and safety certificate-fire and building regulations ;•Registered as a business with the provincial authority;•No unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, gender, citizenship,

physical and mental conditions; and•Smoking regulations are enforced.

The operator will be responsible for indicating on the application form general compliance with minimum requirements, providing proof where necessary.

The operator will make an application with the TGCSA and will select the assessor whom they wish to assess their business. Within two weeks of the application being lodged, the assessor will visit the establishment to be assessed. The assessor will discuss the results of the assessment with the operator/manager and submit his/her recommendations in writing to the TGCSA with photographs. The assessor’s recommendations are verified and approved by the TGCSA Awards Committee which meets monthly.

Should an establishment object to the final grading awarded, an appeal process exists. To ensure that assessors are applying the grading system correctly, there is an audit process in place. At least 10% of establishments are randomly selected for a monthly audit.

Renewal

Grading is only valid for a 12-month period, so each property is assessed at least once a year. Additional audit assessments and mystery visits may be conducted if a number of complaints are received, or alternatively if conditions noted during the annual assessment indicate that a return visit is necessary. The assessor compares each establishment to the grading criteria and similar properties in the context of its operation and market.

Benefits include:• Access to the multi-billion Rand Government business. Only Star Graded establishments

can be used by Government Officials.• Star Graded establishments have a major advantage over ungraded establishments.• Access to millions of global travellers through our strategic online partnerships

such as TripAdvisor.• Savings on Search Engine Optimisation. Star Graded establishments get top results

on Google Search.• Further access to potential travellers through the global marketing investment

made by South African Tourism, worth hundreds of millions of Rands each year. We are a business unit of South African Tourism.

• Exclusive rights to display the globally recognised plaque – giving your establishment an immediate quality identity.

Visit www.tourismgrading.co.za for more information and apply now.

We are the only organisation in South Africa that can give your business that competitive advantage.

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8. FINANCIAL ISSUES

Sources of Finance

Finance for your proposed business may be obtained from various sources such as individual savings, loans or in some instances, state subsidies. Sources of loan finance include:•Business Partners;•Tourism Enterprise Programme;•Industrial Development Corporation;•KHULA Enterprise;•Private banks, which in terms of the Financial Sector Charter

are currently seeking small business, especially those owned by previously disadvantaged individuals, to support.

The Department of Trade and Industry provides a limited subsidy for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism field, and they too can be approached.

8.1. Business Plan

Loan organisations, such as banks, normally ask for a comprehensive Business Plan when you apply for a loan. Such a Business Plan should include:

a. Executive Summary

This is an insightful overview of the plan (generally completed at the beginning of the business plan and \ Highlights critical aspects of the entire plan).

b. History and Background of the Entity• Include financial statements from previous years (3-5 years);•Recent management accounts.

c. Product Idea or Service•Specifications of product/service;•Benefits of product/service;•Unique selling proposition;•Output capacity and details on fixed assets involved in production;•Empowerment considerations.

d. Management Team•Detailed CVs;•Key members of the business and responsibilities as well as contract

period;

•Complementary skills;• Incentives and retention of team;•Employment equity considerations.

e. Marketing•Market analysis (size and growth);•Target market;•Competition and competitive analysis;•Marketing strategy to realize objectives.

f. Business System and Organisation•Process of putting together and managing the activities and people

needed to deliver the product to your consumer;•Accounting systems and control features (debtors, creditors, bank

account etc).

g. Realisation and Roll-out Schedule•Funding required and basis of utilisation;•Important milestones in the development of the business;•When must these milestones be reached;•Assumptions used in the business plan.

h. Risks• Identify and assess the risks the business might face;•How will these risks be dealt with and impact minimised?

The single most common reason why finance is declined by a financial institution is lack of sufficient attention to the Business Plan. Considerable effort should go into this. Although the major complaint of entrepreneurs is that they cannot obtain finance, banks reply that they cannot find enough suitable entrepreneurs to lend to. Do what they ask and lavish attention on the Business Plan. You can either do it yourself or have a consultant advise you. This would be at your own expense.

8.2. Financial Record Keeping

Good record keeping systems provide information for managing finances. The key items in record keeping include:•Original records, such as sales slips, receipts, invoices;•Journals which record the details of every transaction in

chronological order, such as the cash book;•The ledger, where information obtained from journals is made

more useable;

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Business Partners Limited: Tel: 011 895 3108. Website: www.businesspartners.co.zaCape Town Tourism: Tel: 021 487 6800. Website: www.capetown.travelDepartment of Environmental Affairs: Tel: 012 310 3911 / 086 1112468. Website: www.environment.gov.zaDepartment of Tourism: Tel: 012 444 6000 / 086 012 1929. Website: www.tourism.gov.zaDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI): Tel: 0861 843 384. Website: www.thedti.gov.zaDevelopment Bank of South Africa (DBSA): Tel: 012 310 3625. Website: www.dbsa.orgDurban Tourism: Tel: 031 322 4164. Website: www.durbanexperience.co.zaEkurhuleni Economic Development Department - Tourism Division: Tel: 011 456 0117. Website: www.ekurhuleni.gov.zaFederated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA): Tel: 011 706 0172. Website: www.fedhasa.co.zaGauteng Tourism Authority (GTA): Tel: 011 639 1600. Website: www.gauteng.netIndustrial Development Corporation (IDC): Tel: 011 269 3000. Website: www.idc.co.za

•Trial balance, which is a list of all ledger accounts balances taken out to prepare financial statements.

8.2.1. Financial statements:

This includes the income statement and balance sheet. The minimum requirements for a small business operation are:•Cash Book;•Cash Control Systems;•Assets Register;•Debtors Record; and•Creditors Record.

8.2.2 Budgeting

Budgets are based on past experience, the current state of affairs as well as future expectations. Budgets will help provide an estimate of financial requirements in the execution of plans in the business operation. Types of budgets include:•Sales budget: a forecast of expected monthly income;•Materials budget: expected purchases;

•Capital budget: expected fixed assets expenditure, such as that on machinery and land;

•Cash budget: expected working capital requirements over a specific period. Another major reason why Businesses fail is their inability to manage cash flow. If you cannot be a cash business, work closely with your bank regarding debtor and asset finance.

SUMMARY

Tourism is an interesting and extremely stimulating industry. It is above all a service industry, so new entrants must be prepared to go the extra mile in providing top-level service. We are in the ‘people business’ and if you are to succeed you must:•Be passionate about working with people;•Be prepared to put in very long hours, often with little reward, and;•Be determined and not give up.

Acknowledgements: Ekurhuleni Tourism and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal for the research and content.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Johannesburg Tourism: Tel: 011 214 0700. Website: www.joburgtourism.comKHULA Enterprise: Tel: 011 807 8464. Website: www.khula.co.zaNational Accommodation Association of South Africa (NAA-SA):Tel: 086 186 2272. Website: www.naa-sa.co.zaSouth African Tourism (SA Tourism): Tel: 011 895 3000. Website: www.southafrica.netSouthern Africa Tourist Services Association (SATSA): Tel: 011 886 9996 / 086 127 2872. Website: www.satsa.comTourism BEE Charter: Tel: 012 310 3625. Website: www.tourismbeecharter.co.zaTourism Enterprise Programme (TEP): Tel: 011 804 5750. Website: www.tep.co.zaTourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA):Tel: 011 895 3108. Website: www.tourismgrading.co.zaTourism KwaZulu-Natal: Tel: 031 366 7500. Website: www.zulu.org.zaTourism, Hospitality, Sport, Education and Training Authority: Tel: 011 803-6010 / 086 010 0221. Website: www.theta.org.za

NOVEMBER 201326 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

LEGAL

This section does not define the concept but rather prescribes the steps to be taken by the responsible person (‘RP’) in order to comply i.e. ‘it must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the personal information is complete, accurate, not misleading and updated where required.’

The POPI does not define or discuss any of these concepts but the POPI does link the steps to ‘the purpose for which the PI is collected

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide a brief overview of legal matters pertaining to the travel and tourism industry and is not intended as legal advice. © Adv Louis Nel, BENCHMARK, November 2013.

or further processed’ so a business will have to assess this on a case by case basis.

It may be useful as part of the exercise carried out by your business to take note of the section pertaining to security safeguards (Principle #7) where reference is made to ‘industry specific’ and ‘generally accepted’ levels of compliance. It would therefore be an idea to investigate what standards are used by your industry (via e.g. your association) and generally speaking (e.g. via your chamber of commerce)

The word ‘updated’ implies an ongoing monitoring – this can be initiated by appropriate wording on the form (hard copy or electronic) used to gather the information initially in terms of which the date subject (‘DS’):

• Warrants *inter alia the veracity, completeness, accuracy and currency of the PI (‘Personal Information’);

• Undertakes to ensure the aforesaid ‘status’ by advising the RP of any material and/or relevant changes which may impact on any aspect detailed above.*

The RP may have to verify independently the PI e.g. by asking for documentary ‘evidence’ to support the PI provided.

The RP’s method of collection must be of a ‘corresponding quality’ and in this regard the pointers regarding the levels of compliance (third ‘paragraph’) may be applied with success.

– PART 7 – PRINCIPLE #5

INFORMATION QUALITY

The NEW‘POPI’ aka

O F P E R S O N A LINFORMATION ACT

P R O T E C T I O N

Debt collection. Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business - bad debts threaten viability. SJA assists, from issueing summonses to executing judgements.Contact: tinal@savage.co.za

Property. Specialising in Sectional Title and Game Lodge development conveyancing matters.Contact: marleeng@savage.co.za

Personal Injury. SJA’s specialist departments have many years of experience with the Road Accident Fund and this area of the law.Contact: robh@savage.co.za

Commercial. Registration of companies, trademarks & searches. Drawing up of contracts - leases, sales of business, joint ventures, partnerships & franchises.Contact: jonathanh@savage.co.za

Commercial. Corporate Advisory Services, Liquidations, Commercial Contracts, Company Registrations and Intellectual Property Law. Contact: hennies@savage.co.zaLabour and Administrative Law. Specialising in Labour Law as well as public and private partnerships in the environmental context.Contact: mariuss@savage.co.za

Johannesburg: Pretoria:(011) 325 0830 (012) 452 8200E-mail: info@savage.co.za

Liabilities. Specialising in Professional Indemnity, Insurance Law, Travel and Tourism liability.Contact: waynef@savage.co.za

www.savage.co.za

NOVEMBER 2013 27Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

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In the digital information age people and businesses are driven more by technology and mobility than ever before, which can and does lead to errors and omissions. Paul Halley, Managing Director of Ascent Underwriters

provides advice on how to transfer this risk.

RISK

Liability

In many respects this has simplified multiple aspects of daily life whilst simultaneously speeding up and extending accessibility to information. Consequently, this has enhanced the availability of travel products and extended the value chain whilst increasing the choice of tourism suppliers and travel activities.

Growing traveller demands combined with consumer expectations are met with a sophisticated platform of products and options providing travel products from anywhere in the world to anyone in the world. With this increased level of sophistication and choice come inherent risks which can be easily overlooked in the fast paced highway of travel and tourism.

Gone are the traditional limitations and boundaries of how travel was transacted. The modern traveller comes from a broad range of backgrounds and cultures carrying with them an even broader range of ideals and expectations based more on those to which they are accustomed than those which they encounter whilst away. As the market develops so a customary set of standards, rights and obligations begins to emerge.

In a consumer driven world the legal obligations of suppliers have increased tenfold and will continue to do so in line with international agreements and global standardisation. This is exacerbated by the pace of change and development that happens around us each day. Despite all the technology we are simply unable to keep up and process the flow of data and information fast enough. Yet we remain legally accountable for failing to do so.

It is essential that suppliers stay in touch with these trends and ensure they protect their business, their investments and their reputation against increasing risks brought about by these changing trends.

Liability

When measuring risk it is easy to foresee the loss of a fixed or moveable asset. A tangible item carries a definitive value and can be readily replaced. Not so with liability. There is simply no way of accurately determining whether, when or for what value a potential liability may arise. With so many suppliers in a single value chain it is all but impossible to inspect and be held accountable for every aspect of every transaction. Add to this the complex and onerous terms of trade contained in many agreements and it’s clear that the travel agent, tour broker and tour operator face a multitude of real or opportunistic liability threats from customers and also suppliers.

Whether liability in any particular set of circumstances actually exists or not is not always important. Even in cases where no direct link between the event and the supplier exists genuine or frivolous legal attacks may be suffered by the operator and /or suppliers.

Bodily injury, death, loss of or damage to property and the consequential losses which follow them can arise from the ownership of property, operating in business, or as is most often the case in service related industries’ from professional errors or omissions, breach of contract or neglect of professional duties. Rather than try and cover the entire range of possibilities with hypothetical analogies, some real life examples of actual claims should be able to illustrate the risks of operating in this professional environment far more effectively:

Example 1. A Corporate insurer (client) requests an incentive travel company (supplier) to charter two Boeing aeroplanes as part of a rewards programme for top achievers. The night before departure one of the aircraft (privately owned) chartered from an air charter company (third party supplier) is involved in a minor collision on the apron and cannot fly until the necessary safety inspections have been performed and certification issued.

When the air charter company (third party supplier) cannot source a replacement plane and only one plane arrives, the Corporate insurer (client) charters a third plane independently at a cost of close on 1million rand. Recourse is sought from the incentive travel company (supplier) who is in no way responsible for the collision but has, it is alleged, inadvertently failed to perform in terms of the contract. It is claimed that this is a breach of their professional duty not to have foreseen such an eventuality and to have had a contingency plan.

Example 2. A British couple (client) holidaying at a 5 star hotel (third party supplier) after making reservations through a SA based Tour Operator (supplier) in one of the premier tourist zones of the mother city steps out of their hotel and falls over some loose paving. The injuries, whilst not life threatening, are severe enough to force their return home immediately. The balance of their extensive African safari is cancelled and in addition to the medical costs a significant loss of money is suffered by them as a result. The QC accustomed to EEC trade articles wastes no time in approaching the SA based tour operator for compensation in Pounds Sterling.

Whether in fact liability exists or not is most often left to the legal fraternity to decide. In the worst case scenarios some cases eventually lead to the courts. Not every incident progresses to this point and in many cases liability does not exist or is shared in apportionment with other suppliers in the value chain and sometimes, on a contributory basis, even the third party themselves. Whilst damages in cases where liability exists may be severe and in limited circumstances even reach millions of rands (after converting from other currencies) the cost and inconvenience of simply defending cases where no liability exists at all can escalate very quickly into tens or hundreds of thousands of rands. It is here where the real value of liability insurance exists. The costs of repelling or defending these claims together with expertise required can cripple small to medium size operators. If handled incorrectly by inexperienced persons the results may have a long and devastating effect on the reputation and brand of the operator.

For a relatively small premium, arguably, the most valuable insurance cover an operator in the tourism sector can have is a Professional Indemnity and Broad form Liability policy from a specialist insurer who understands their business and the risk to which it is exposed when selling the amazing destination that is South Africa or sending South Africans on international adventures.

For more information or to find a specialist insurance broker, call 0861 286 264 or email info@ascentsure.co.za

RISKRISK

Liability

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EquipmentRecovery Kit Bag. Keep all equipment in a single bag that is readily accessible. Never store wet and dirty equipment in a bag or mix it with other equipment such as tools or other supplies. The best bags are made of washable Cordura with eyelets to anchor gloves, breathable pockets for straps and drainage holes in the base. The bag should also have loops for shackles and inner sidewall pockets for items such as recovery blankets and links.

Shackles. Use rated alloy recovery bow shackles with a Work Load Limit (WLL) of not less than 2 000kg to attach the strap, cable or rope used. (Fed Spec RR-C-271b/Factor of safety of 6:1). Pack a variety of bow shackles to cater to all vehicle weights, a good range will be from 2 Tons to 6,5 Tons to cover all situations.

We do not recommend that you use commercial or D-Shackles: a commercial shackle will not show it’s rating and the pin and body will be of the same diameter. On a rated shackle the pin and body will be of a different diameter (pin is thicker). The body is embossed with the Work Load Limit and batch number. A bow of the shackle has a

The following educational resource is reproduced with acknowledgement to Nissan South Africa and is published as a four-part series. Part 1 in the October edition, covered a general familiarisation on 4x4 terminology, while Part 2 deals

with vehicle recovery.

A Guide toOff Road Driving

Due to the multiplicity of variables involved it is not possible to guarantee the success of the recovery, the safety of bystanders, participants or property.

You should attend a professional recovery course and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regards to your equipment and vehicle.

Recovery Guide

General safety considerations

PART 2

larger inner working radius offering more space for attachment of straps and the ability to achieve greater angles when recovering. After tightening a shackle turn the pin a half turn back, this will make it easier to open after the recovery.

Gloves. Are essential to off-roading, gloves are not only used for winching, they offer protection from heat, dirt and even when collecting firewood. The ‘gardening’ or ‘welding’ variety often used are not recommended as a glove should fit comfortably and still allow ‘feeling’ when working. Good gloves have the following features:•Durability – strong leather (cowhide).•Protection – through the reinforced double

palm.

•Accessibility – solid brass eyelets with a karabiner for joining and attachment to belt loops or within your vehicle.

Ropes, Straps and Cables•Do not use damaged ropes or straps.•Do not knot ropes or straps.•Keep straps or ropes away from hot

exhausts.•Regularly inspect your equipment-

especially after use.•Straps and ropes are not to be used for

lifting equipment.•Always recover in as straight a line as

possible. Use a bridle if necessary to straighten out the pull and never pull at an angle greater than 60° from the centre line of the vehicle.

•Keep participants and observers well clear of ropes, straps or cables in case of recoil due to a failure (as a rule generally twice the length of the cable, strap or rope utilised).

•Dampen cables, ropes and straps with recovery blankets (one per 5 metre of rope strap or cable).

•Protect cables from cutting or abrasion when pulling over obstacles: also check that there are no sharp edges on the underside

With all recoveries the following should apply:•A standard tow bar or tow ball is unsuitable as a recovery point;•You should have suitable, professionally fitted recovery points to the front and rear of

all vehicles involved in a recovery;•Follow equipment safety and usage instructions;•Assess the situation and where possible make the stuck vehicle easier to extricate by

digging if badly stuck in mud, or packing ruts with small rocks or branches.

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NOVEMBER 2013 31Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

•of the vehicle that may cause a failure.•Never step over a tensioned cable, rope or

strap.

Straps and ropes should be washed after use in sand or mud to remove abrasive particles. Thereafter they should be dried in a cool dry area prior to packing as the fibre is sensitive to UV rays.

A strap from a reputable manufacturer should have a label stitched in, detailing not only compliance to SANS 94 but also:•Manufacturers name•Technical spec•Instructions•Material•Strength•Length•Application•Work Load Limit (laden vehicle mass)•Factor of safety and/or the minimum

breaking strength.NB: An unlabelled strap should not be used. It is important to note that 10% of damage

to a strap equates to a 50% loss of its rated capacity.

Your strap should be purchased in accordance with the vehicle you drive in terms of the maximum laden vehicle mass. End loops should be well constructed with a loose, movable sleeve to prevent wear and tear and allow full protection.

Pull/Winch Extension Strap (first line of defence). Made of low elongation, high tenacity polyester with limited stretch. The strap is used to pull or tow stuck vehicles through or over an obstacle in a controlled fashion. Always attempt to recover in a straight line. After securely attaching the strap to both vehicles take up the slack. The recovering vehicle then moves off at a moderate pace to start the recovery. Movement should be gentle without any jerking. In an absolute emergency a Pull Strap can be used as a tree trunk protector and to lengthen a winch cables reach.

Kinetic Energy Snatch Straps and Ropes (last line of defence). Made of high elongation, high tenacity polyamide, and most kinetic straps elongate between 20—25% of their original length, converting potential energy into kinetic energy. This is a dynamic elastic rebound and is used to recover a badly stuck vehicle from sand or mud. The strap is normally laid out on the ground in an S formation (about 2 metres). The recovery vehicle moves off normally in 1st gear, low range in a straight direction away from the stuck vehicle and extends the strap to its maximum elongation. Try to stop your vehicle before the strap stops you, this allows maximum utilisation of the kinetic energy without shock loading the strap or rope and overloading the vehicle recovery points. If the vehicle is still stuck a new rope or strap may have to be used, alternatively the vehicle may need to be winched out.

It is important to note that 10% of damage to a strap equates to a 50% loss of

its rated capacity.

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TRANSPORT

The kinetic energy recovery rope is used similarly to recover severely stuck vehicles from sand or mud, possibly after a kinetic strap. The rope is an ultra-high elongation, high tenacity, plaited polyamide rope and can elongate 30—40% of its length. Once used it should be loosely piled to recover its kinetic capability, do not immediately pack it away.

In both cases recovery from rest to re-use is once in 24 hours. Kinetic Energy Snatch Straps and Ropes are generally regarded as the last line of defence.

Kinetic straps and ropes should never be used to anchor a winching operation or extend a winch cable.

Kinetic capability (strap used as an example). As a rule, after one snatch, the kinetic capability has been used up and the strap requires eight hours for every 10% of stretch to creep back or be restored to its original capability, 25% requires 24 hours rest.

A 10% stretch on a 10 metre strap would be one metre. The reduction in elongation is affected by usage and age. For example, when such a strap has stretched to 13 metres and no longer returns to its original length, it has lost its kinetic capability. It could still be used as a pull strap in an emergency.

There are two phases to the recovery of a strap: namely, the latent phase, which is over time, and an immediate phase when the strap rebounds, restoring a small minimal kinetic capability.

It is important that you should understand that maximum elongation is also the point where a failure could occur!

Important Factors Influencing Kinetic Capability•Mass of the two vehicles.•How stuck the vehicle is. The rope or strap

utilised should be rated according to the mass of the stuck vehicle.

•Traction available to the recovering vehicle — in other words, the road surface. A speed of 18Kph is suggested in the case of two vehicles of similar mass.

•The distance between vehicles and the speed at which the recovery vehicle moves.

Tree Protector Strap. The tree trunk protector is designed to protect the bark of a tree when using a winch or rerouting a cable from a tree with a snatch block. In all situations it provides a safe, secure anchor point. The tree trunk protector should be more than 75mm wide, and 2—5metres long. It should be placed as low down as possible on the base of the tree. Avoid jerks and movement which will damage the tree’s bark.

The Recovery Link. Only join straps and ropes with the same rating and type. To ensure that the fabric which makes up the eyes of the rope or webbing does not bind onto each other due to the force of the recovery, a link is inserted between the two eyes to separate them. This is made out of multiple layers of webbing tightly stitched together. The rigid link takes the place of the traditionally used branch or newspaper and what’s more it has a retention strap with a quick release fastener to ensure that it stays in place whilst the straps or ropes are not yet under tension. It is not safe to join straps or ropes with a shackle. Should a failure occur the shackle will become a deadly missile!

Recovery Safety Lanyard. Used when

recovering vehicles for added safety in the event of a strap, rope or cable failing. It is made of low elongation (5%) high tenacity polyester webbing and is attached to the vehicle and over the strap, rope or cable by two loose ring hitch knots, it is not attached to the same point as the bridle or strap/rope/cable used. The suggested length is 1,4 metres.

Recovery Bridle. Spreads the load across two anchor points when recovering a stuck vehicle in much the same way as if one had done this with a choker or drag chain. However as it is made from low elongation (5%), high tenacity polyester webbing which is softer on vehicles in the case of a rebound. The safe option is to use the bridle in conjunction with two lanyards. The suggested length is 3,5 metres and it should

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NOVEMBER 2013 33Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

have reinforced eyes on each end with a moveable encapsulated sleeve to protect the area where one fits the rope or strap. The bridle is attached to the vehicle with rated bow shackles.

Recovery Blanket. Dampens the shock in the case of the failure of a strap, cable, shackle or recovery point. The unit is like a tube and is fitted over the recovery equipment in use (rope, strap or cable), the compartment at the base is filled with sand to provide the weight that dampens recoil in the event of a failure. One must carefully evaluate the number of blankets required: if doing a vehicle to vehicle recovery one blanket should be used per 5 metre of strap, rope or cable, if multiple points are used in winching with snatch blocks more blankets would be required.

The Hand Winch. Cheaper than an electric unit and portable. When not in use, the cable, handle and winch can be stored out of the way. The typical unit comes with a cable and a handle for winching in and out. Jaws in the winch grip and move the cable as the handle is cranked. All safety procedures should be followed. A snatch block can be used in conjunction with the winch. To lengthen a cable, you can use a pull strap. A hand winch is a highly effective piece of equipment but it requires manual effort.

Operating safety comes with the shear pins built in to the crank. Replacement pins are contained in the handle. Use recovery blankets when winching and observe their position as the cable approaches the winch.

Hand winches can pull at a variety of angles as well as from the front or rear of a vehicle and do not depend on battery power.

The Snatch Block. Can be used to change the direction of your winch cable if you need to winch in a straight line or when line splitting (see winching).

Always ensure that you have spare circlips for your snatch block. It is best practice to use a snatch block that does not have an exposed wheel.

The Drag Chain. Also referred to as a choker chain the drag chain consists of a length of round, welded, steel-link chain with two removable clevis-type grab hooks able to link back over the chain and lock in place. Typical uses are:•Where recovery points do not exist, the

chain can be locked around the chassis on both sides to form an inverted ‘V’. In this way both sides of the chassis share the load.

•A section of chain can also be used with a high-lift jack if no high-lift point exists for attachment to an off-road bumper or tow ball.

•The chain can be used to anchor off large rocks for recovery.

•Towing in emergency situations (as a last resort).

•The chain can be tied around obstacles such as trees which have to be moved. Do not use a strap for this as you are likely to chafe the webbing.

A drag chain should be labelled, showing that it is rated and tested as well as detailing its batch number and manufacturer’s identification. The minimum breaking strain should not be less than 8 000 kg and should be a minimum of 3,5 metres long.

Winching

For electric, hydraulic or any other type

of winch we suggest you refer to the manufacturers operating instructions before using. The following guidelines will however be useful in the bush.

On installing a winch if you have a steel cable it will still be in a loosely woven state on the drum. It is advisable to unspool it and pre-stretch it under load to tension the cable which will reduce the risk of it binding onto itself in use. At the same time this dry run allows you to get used to the winch and its operation.

Always pay attention to the manuals safety instructions as well as general recovery safety protocol, you are using mechanical equipment and the dynamics place the winch, mounting points, attachment points and cable under severe strain.

The Main Winch Components Are:

The cable. This could be a steel cable or plasma rope, its length and thickness will be determined by the rated capacity of the winch. It feeds through the fairlead rollers and is looped at the end with a clevis hook. The fairlead guides the cable onto the drum and minimises the risk of damage to the cable.

Before and after winching, inspect the cable for damage, a kinked or frayed cable should be replaced as it will no longer operate at its rated capacity. Never hook the cable back onto itself as it will cause damage. Use a tree protector or other attachment point. Unwind as much cable as possible even if you have to double line the cable, or attach it far away from the vehicle, as maximum pulling power is on the first layer of rope on the drum. Never winch with less than five full turns of cable on the drum. Winches can also run synthetic plasma ropes instead of usual steel cable. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

It’s up to you to evaluate your requirement before changing.

Plasma Rope. Is made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber (UHMWPE)•Some plasma ropes can degrade with

the heat caused by the brake within the winch’s drum.

•Steel winch cables are prone to kink, rust, and have very sharp strands once damaged.

•Plasma ropes are easier to handle and store.•Plasma ropes are more susceptible to sharp

edges (bumpers and rocks in particular) but are stronger and safer.

•Being lighter also makes them safer in the event of a failure, when released they virtually fall to the ground.

•Plasma ropes are more expensive than steel cable.

NOVEMBER 201334 Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

TRANSPORT

The Control Box And Remote Control. Transfers electricity from the battery to the winch motor. The remote control plugs into a control box allowing you to control the winding direction and stand clear of the recovery. Position yourself behind the driver’s door with the bonnet up or remain seated. This allows you to use the vehicle’s foot brake to anchor your vehicle. You must always be in control of the remote and it should only be plugged into the control box when winching commences.

Gears. The reduction gears convert the motors power into a pulling force at its rated capacity on the first layer of cable on the drum.

The Motor. In an electric winch the motor is powered by the battery and using the gears turns the drum, winding the cable.

The Drum. The drum is a round cylinder onto which the cable is wound. A brake is housed inside the drum, it engages automatically when the motor is stopped preventing the cable from winding out.

The Clutch. The clutch disengages the drum from the gears or engages the gears allowing the drum to rotate freely (free-spooling) or to be locked. The clutch should never be disengaged if the cable is under tension (winch is under load, i.e. live)

Operating A Winch•Assess the situation, look at the recovery

points and clear any obstructions.•Always wear leather gloves to protect your

hands.•Disengage the clutch to unwind the cable-

this will save your battery. Pull the clevis hook out using a hook strap.

•Wind the cable off the drum to a suitable recovery point. This may be a natural anchor such as a tree or in the case of a vehicle to vehicle recovery a professionally fitted recovery point.

•When using a tree use a tree protector.•Anchor the winching vehicle by means of

its handbrake. The vehicle should not be in gear.

•Secure the cable to the recovery point. Use

a rated alloy bow shackle. Once tightened, slack off a half turn. Position the shackle pin at right angles to the direction of pull. This will ensure that you can loosen the pin after winching (it may stretch under load).

•Engage the clutch by switching the lever, this locks the drum.

•Connect the remote, keep the cable clear of the winch and fairlead, if winching from within your vehicle, lay the cable out so that it can not foul and pass it through the vehicle window.

•Take up the slack by slowly tensioning the cable. The cable is now live and dangerous, bystanders should be clear (at least twice the length of the cable) no one should step over the cable. Dampen the cable using recovery blankets (at least one per vehicle, two if using a natural anchor). When line splitting more may be required.

•Check the rigging once more prior to proceeding. If using an assistant to guide you, ensure that clear hand signals are used.1. Indicate winding in with a hand above

shoulder height and turn your hand in an anti-clockwise direction.

2. Indicate winding out with your hand at waist height turning it in a clockwise direction.

3. For an intermittent pull, close and open your thumb onto your forefinger.

4. To stop winching, hold your fist up above your shoulder.

•Avoid pulling at an angle as the cable will wind up in a bunch to one side of the drum which could damage the cable or winch, this also decreases the rated capacity. If you need to straighten the cable out it may be necessary to do an angled pull using a snatch block.

•Winch with smooth movements and avoid jerks, the shock load can cause damage.

•Once the vehicle is on stable terrain, the recovery is complete.

•Ensure that there is slack in the cable and it is not under tension.

•Disconnect the cable.•Check that the cable is neatly wound onto

the drum, if uneven, it may be necessary to rewind the cable.

•If rewinding, guide the cable back onto the drum using a hook strap. Keep the cable under tension and walk the cable back onto the winch. Either attach the hook to a suitable recovery point or tension between the fairlead rollers.

•Disconnect the remote and store it in a safe place.

A Few Tips•Keep hands and clothing clear of winch

components.

•Do not move the winching vehicle whilst winching as you could overload the winch.

•If the recovery is a difficult, pause to allow the winch to cool down and allow the engine to recharge the battery.

•If recovering a heavy vehicle, unload as much weight as possible to make recovery easier.

•For self winching without an anchor point a steel stake, sand anchor or a spare tyre (buried deeply) may be used.

Winching in a straight line which allows the cable to wind onto the drum neatly, if this is not possible, use a snatch block secured of a point in front of your vehicle and re route the cable at 90° to another attachment point or vehicle.

Using a snatch block also allows you to increase the pulling capacity of the winch (although it reduces line speed) Double lining allows you to pay out more cable and use the rated capacity of the winch, both lines should be parallel to achieve maximum power.

Triple-lining will increase power over a double lined set up, the extra power may be required in a situation where a vehicle is difficult to extricate.

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NOVEMBER 2013 35Tourism Tattler Trade Journal

The most common option with a snatch block is double-lining, which is simply running the cable out to a fixed pulley, then back to a solid tow hook on the vehicle. This gives you two lines pulling at the rated capacity of the winch but halves the line speed. Don’t forget to use a recovery blanket.

The next step is triple-lining, which will increase the power of your winch over a double-line setup. It also reduces line speed, but the increase in pulling power may make it worthwhile. In addition to needing a tow hook on your vehicle, tripleline rigging requires two snatch blocks and two anchors. Don’t forget to use a recovery blanket.

This is a variation of the ‘triple-line’ setup that uses the angle-pulling technique from a second anchor on another vehicle. If you’re able to reel out enough cable, your winch can rescue another 4x4 in just about any predicament, even when you can’t get in line for a near-straight pull. Don’t forget to use a recovery blanket.

Offroad Guides And Tour Operators Association of South AfricaIn 2005 the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism called for owners and users of inland 4x4 recreational driving tracks to move towards better-regulated and more equitable practices in respect of their activities in South Africa’s inland environment. Users and owners of these tracks were told unequivocally at the time that regulations similar in nature to those imposed on off-road vehicle activities on beaches would be unilaterally issued by government for sensitive inland areas if a suitable form of regulation could not be found and implemented for the off-road industry.The Off-Road Vehicle community responded through the establishment of the National Off-Road Workgroup (“NOW”), an industry representative Section 21 Company, in October 2005. The NOW comprises the 4 Wheel-Drive Guides Association of South Africa (4WDGA); the Association of All-Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa (AAWDC); the Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributers (AMID); the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA); the South African Off-road Trainer Association (SANOTA); the South African Route Owners and Operators Forum (SAROOF); and the South African Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association (SAVRALA). The 4WDGA subsequently changed its name to the Offroad Guides And Tour Operators Association (OGATO), in November 2011. Members of OGATO can be recognized by the display of this sticker, which includes their Membership number, on their vehicles.For more information visit: www.4wdga.com

Members of OGATO can be recognized by the display of this sticker, which includes their Membership number, on their

For more information visit:

Members of OGATO can be recognized by the display of this sticker, which includes their

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