The Eastern Cape Tourism Board is looking for investors, particularly from the region, to invest in the development and management of tourism facilities in six of its game and nature reserves.

Reserves which are being targeted include Hluleka, Oviston and Dwesa nature reserves on the Wild Coast which need their existing units and lodges upgraded and expanded.

The Karoo Nature Reserve is also listed as requiring upgrading and extending. The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve has two greenfield sites which needs to be developed into resorts and hotels.

Interested parties have until 15 February 2004 to register for the tenders. Tender consultants, Seaton Thomson and Associates, say that communities will be involved in the tender process.

However, most of communities needed to be upskilled on how to manage a business.

The ECTB said it was unlikely that the current management teams for these lodges and hotels would be retained.

Tourism investment project manager Abu Abdullatief comments:
Like the province’s previous game reserve concessions (Mkambati, Doubledrift and Silaka), this process will bring much-needed investment into the tourist sector. This process is equally good for job creation and economic development, particularly for those areas where the latter has been slow. However, it would be good if the tender process is taken internationally in order to attract foreign investment and tourists.