William Stephens has had what many people would consider a dream career: developing luxurious bush lodges and lodges in the most beautiful wilderness areas of southern Africa. Hence, he knows better than most of the memorable experiences we have to offer tourists, both local and foreign. “South Africa’s tourism industry is what offers hope to our economy. It creates jobs, transfers skills and is sustainable “. And that’s right, it’s not just public relations hype for socially sensitive foreigners. Stephens remembers a “gate guard” at one of the properties where he was involved in the development who, despite difficult personal circumstances, was resurrected …
William Stephens has had what many people would consider a dream career: developing luxurious bush lodges and lodges in the most beautiful wilderness areas of southern Africa.
Hence, he knows better than most of the memorable experiences we have to offer tourists, both local and foreign.
“South Africa’s tourism industry is what offers hope to our economy. It creates jobs, transfers skills and is sustainable “.
And that’s right, it’s not just public relations hype for socially sensitive foreigners.
Stephens remembers a “gate guard” at one of the properties where he was involved in the development who, despite difficult personal circumstances, became a general manager.
“This is how we should do things: provide opportunities for people.”
the The Covid pandemic has hit the tourism sector hardsaid, including the De Hoop Collection, which is a tourism operation born out of a public-private partnership with Cape Nature Conservation.
“We had a frank conversation with the staff; he showed them the books and the lack of reservations so that they would understand why it was necessary to cut wages and costs for a period ”.
Because the company had some reserves and because people accepted the tightening of wages and costs, it lost very few employees during the crisis, which meant they could continue to support their families.
“The De Hoop Collection is a major employer in the Bredasdorp area of the Western Cape, so its contribution to the local economy is significant.
Together with the partners introduced in De Hoop, it has contributed nearly 500 million Rand per year in the wider area based on a 10-fold multiplier. ”
Interestingly, the area – one of the last pristine seascapes in the country – was once used as a testing ground for rockets and aircraft from the SA army and the then National Party government held private meetings there, well away from prying eyes.
De Hoop is, says Stephens, “an example of how things should be done when using natural and tourism resources as a partnership between business, government and communities.”
Stephens, who was born in Joburg and studied in Cape Town, before graduating with a B.Com degree and entering the business world, was exposed to the bush at an early age.
But it was when he got his private pilot license – and started bringing customers and staff around the country to hotels – that he realized the advantage of being able to more easily make it easier to close sales with customers who have a lot of availability. limited time… flying in and out by plane and not wasting days traveling to and from a reserve, and not just a weekend game lodge commuter.
He began putting together syndication deals for those who wanted to buy stock in wildlife properties – and this ultimately led to a full-time business developing those operations and setting up an air charter business.
He was one of the founding private partners of Madikwe Game Reserve in the Northwest Province.
It was launched by the then president of the homeland of Bophuthatswana, Lucas Mangope, on the advice of his senior park council officials, some of whom had been involved in launching the groundbreaking “Campfire” conservation initiative in Zimbabwe.
“Campfire” was the municipal area management program for indigenous resources. It was intended to encourage communities to see the economic benefits of wildlife and, in particular, through tourism.
Madikwe, despite having gone through difficult times, is today a shining example of a public-private partnership that benefits surrounding communities.
Its lodges are considered some of the best in the world in terms of luxurious wildlife experience … in a malaria-free area.
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Stephens is proud to have helped set up one of the first operations in Madikwe – and still loves Madikwe, he says, but when he got pushed, he remembered the Tuli Block area in Botswana as one of his favorite places: “We were there at the time. where it was rudimentary – paraffin lanterns and basic ablutions – but it’s just such a special place. ”
And his current business, of course, is more than just making money.
At De Hoop, Stephens is happy to be able to offer the main reserve a range of family-friendly and affordable options, ranging from cottages to campgrounds.
Elsewhere in De Hoop, there are five-star hotels that have had rave reviews in foreign media.
The operation is part of Cape Country Routes, which has seen owner-managed and managed accommodations and businesses along the popular routes in the Western and Eastern Cape come together to maximize marketing strength.
Cooperation, more than competition, is how the tourism sector will stand up to tough times and thrive for good, Stephens believes.
He points out that tourism has enormous potential to be the engine that keeps turning and feeding the South African economy.
“It is renewable, not extractive like mining. All we have to do as caretakers is make sure we take care of our wilderness and tourist attractions. They are a national heritage “.