Trophy hunting and the financial benefit South Africa derives from foreign hunters have the ability to empower and uplift rural women in areas not part of the general tourism circuit.
This is according to Adri Kitshoff, Chief Executive of the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA), who was speaking at a panel discussion on innovation and game-changers stimulating tourism at the Women in Tourism Conference, at the Kaponeng Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni from October 8-9.
Kitshoff says hunting tourism is a high-value activity and the money it generates reaches areas where traditional tourism spending does not.  “Hunters like to rough it. They wish to visit places in the country that are considered off the beaten track, areas where the game is scarce and difficult to find because these factors add to the challenge of the hunt. Most of them are repeat visitors and every time they come back, they want to explore new concessions and areas.”
According to the latest available statistics from the Department of Environmental Affairs, foreign hunters spent R800 million (US$72, 7 million) on species fees and daily rates in South Africa in 2012 but Kitshoff points out that most hunters bring their families with them and extend their stay to include sightseeing and other activities as well.  “Research by the North West University puts the value of foreign hunters’ spending in this country at R1.24 billion (US$121, 7 million) when these additional expenses are factored in. 
“Hunting creates a platform for innovative growth in these areas and it tends to be the women there who stand to benefit most from employment opportunities in the camps, as well as tourism-related businesses such as crafting, weaving and dancing,” she says.