The Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries’ Draft White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in South Africa, aims to, amongst others, put South Africa’s reputation on the map as an authentic and responsible safari and wildlife tourism destination  by prohibiting “reprehensible” animal interactions.

This includes stopping captive lion breeding, canned lion hunting, lion cub petting, lion bone exports, rhino horn farming, etc.

Responding to this news, Henko Wentholt, CEO/owner of Tales from Africa Travel and Ride2roam motorbike tours, echoed the sentiments of many Tourism Update readers in his comments.

“Very good news, now let's make it reality. Our overseas markets demand an end to these animal interactions, and the income generated by international tourism is so much higher than all income from animal interactions put together, so we stand much more to gain than to lose.”