'Be a Responsible Tourist' Campaign

[Lesego]

‘Be a Responsible Tourist’ – using the SANParks Forums and social media to involve the public, create awareness and educate.

There is often anger and emotion expressed on social media platforms towards visitors who do not abide by the rules of the Parks; i.e.
• speeding,
• littering,
• alighting from vehicles,
• feeding animals,
• chopping down indigenous trees that are protected by the Forest Act
• collecting plants for medicinal purposes without a permit and prior approval,
• fishing and swimming in restricted or prohibited areas in the marine protected zones.


Although people are aware of the rules and consequences, there is often disregard for them. Some visitors do not always read the information booklets or brochures given to them at the entrance gates stating the rules.

The aim of this campaign is to try and portray the awareness in a positive way by encouraging our guests to rather assist in educating the public in why the rules are in place and important.

The SANParksVHRs in partnership with SANParks Communications Unit would like to run a project across the SANPark’s social media platforms , starting with the SANParks Forums, which will encourage and educate visitors to the parks on ‘Be a responsible tourist’. The ultimate goal of this project is to have a prescribed set of rules which will be adopted in the code of good viewing and overall behaviour when visiting any National Park or protected area.

SANParks would like to encourage its stakeholders on social media platforms to participate and give their input to develop the ‘campaign’ beyond the basic rules, such as ‘do not litter/speed’ etc. (which is already listed on the entry permits), to encourage visitors to be more considerate with regard to behaving in a green/eco-friendly manner when visiting a park, knowing the correct channels to report law breakers (not necessarily via social media!), and to report suspicious behaviour, thus assisting in anti-poaching efforts.

Please do encourage people to take part in the discussions – preferably on the forums, because it is a much easier medium to refer back to for data and comments than Facebook, Twitter, etc. However, we will include any comments on Facebook too. Links to the topics will also be posted on the official SANParks Facebook groups and the SANParks Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/South.African.National.Parks

Let us all work together in Being the responsible tourist to make our parks a place to be enjoyed by all and a sustainable national parks system connecting to society.