13.3.3.2 African Parks Network

The African Parks Network (APN) is another example of combining nature conservation with business. APN was established in 2000 and is registered as a not-for profit organisation in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act of South Africa. The head office is located in South Africa. In six years, this organisation acquired responsibility for the management of five protected areas in three different countries, covering a total area in excess of 2,500,000 hectares. In each country that hosts a park, APN has incorporated a local operating company to manage the park. These legal entities are created in order to implement an agreement with the local government for the management of a specific national park (Figure 13.4).

APN is the first private park management institution in Africa. Its task is to provide long-term management to the national parks. In fact, APN operates as a public-private partnership: it combines the development of the parks and the stimulation of responsible tourism. Its goal is to achieve the financial sustain-ability of the parks as well as to provide a foundation for local sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.1 Income streams include local commercial revenues (concession fees, entrance fees, game sales and filming fees) and grants for particular projects, activities performed and paid for by wildlife and environmental NGOs, endowment income and payment systems for ecosystem services.2 In addition, non-timber forest products are sold, as business alternatives to sustain the biodiversity resources in the protected park areas and the livelihood of park dwellers. APN indicates that it does not make any significant investments in tourism infrastructure itself: "the ones who make investments should be specialised organisations which have the skills, capital and marketing channels to make a success of it".3 The role of APN is to create the right investment climate in the region where the parks are located and to conclude agreements with tourism companies in countries where the tourists come from.4 Consequently, APN can play an important role in catalysing eco-tourist activities. The financing of APN comes from private (non-profit) investors, environmental funds, governments and commercial ventures with operations in or near the parks.