South African Trail Owners Association http://www.trailinfo.co.za/
As opposed to Europe, and most other countries, where any person can walk where ever he/she likes without paying (or being provided with decent overnight facilities), hiking in South Africa has developed into a well-organized industry where there is a dynamic relationship between the hikers (the demand side of the industry) and the trail owners (the supply side). Whilst the hikers are fairly well- organised, the owners of trails are each and every-one "doing their own thing" with no quality control. It was this problem in the market that led to the formation of the South African Trail Owners Assn. (SATOA) (In Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Roete-eienaarsvereniging - SAREV) Here owners can "talk with each other" and develop mutual benefits such as the accreditation system, corporate marketing (also abroad), pressurising government for assistence, market trends research, etc. This is also an "address" where hikers can lodge their concerns (and appreciation) concerning specific trails and raise general aspects on the provision of trails. At the moment there is an interim steering committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Leon Hugo of the University of Pretoria, with representatives of the Hiking Federation of SA, the SA National Parks, the Dept of Environment and Tourism, Backpacker Pty Ltd, Jacana Country Homes and Trails, and SAFCOL. It is anticipated to hold a general nationwide congress soon during which a representative management committee will be selected. People interested are urged to contact the chairman (Leon Hugo) at 012 4202532 or email him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] .
