Kampala

17 October 2012 Proposal: creation of a professional image bank for the Tourism and Wildlife Ministry. 1. Tourism in the Republic of South Sudan: a brief background. 2. The creation of a professional image bank. 3. Projects and Programs by The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism: 3.1. Assessment Tourist attraction sites. 3.1.1 Aerial photography. 3.1.2. Ground photography. 3.2. An example as identification of a potential Tourist attraction site. 4. Advertisement and promotions programs. 5. Brief profile of the photographer. 6. Conclusion. 1. Tourism in the Republic of South Sudan: a brief background. As for now, there is no tourism infrastructure in the Republic of South Sudan. The only park in moderate use is Nimule National park due to its accessibility and perceived security. The challenges are great, but the benefits are enormous. Tourism trade in Tanzania for example generates yearly roughly $1.7 billion in hard currency. This years oil production shutdown and effects on the economy has created awareness that non-oil revenues are crucial to the development of the South Sudanese economy. Tourism is a self-sustainable industry that will eventually outlive the production of oil in the country. Wildlife is an abundant resource in South Sudan that we have to preserve and use as a source of income. Oil will one day finish, but tourism will continue forever if we maintain our wildlife, said governor of South Sudans Jonglei, Kuol Manyang Juuk (March 10, 2012 Sudan Tribune) at the inauguration of the Boma National Park Headquarters. The effects of investing in the tourism industry will also be felt in areas where people of South Sudan are not benefiting directly from the oil industry. It also creates a new drive towards protecting natural resources and the creation of infrastructure in remote regions. 2. The creation of a professional image bank. The Republic of South Sudan is a new Nation and the people of the world need to discover visually what this new Nation has to offer. As Bahr-el-jebel-safaris tells us on their website: Come join us, venture into areas no tourist has seen for 25 years. Where the Africa of 100 years ago still exits. As an emerging Nation, the visual aspect of a New South Sudan (construction frenzy in Juba, the new Highway connecting Uganda, the new international Airport in Juba, the natural beauty of the country and its natural diversity) is in high demand. 3. Projects and Programs by The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism: 3.1. Assessment Tourist attraction sites. There is an obvious lack of proper photography regarding most if not all National Parks and their specific attractions and exploitable resources. The few great migration photographs that are used in almost any related stories date back to the 70s (!), some of the recent ones are usually of poor quality, outdated and do not do the great migration (one of the last true wonders of the natural world) justice.

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If a professional assessment of tourist attraction sites is to take place and its discovery as a potential tourist destination and or lodge construction site, each park or game reserve will have to be photographed in a systematic fashion: - the terrain in different times of day or seasons - the hotspots in terms of natural and landscape attractions - the specific flora and fauna - the people and their culture The potential sites are not limited to National Parks and game reserves but also the river Nile and historical sites such as the Jonglei Canals excavation relic. The idea is to create such an image bank that not only investors but also the people of South Sudan can create a visual idea of what the true potential is in investing in the tourism industry of the Republic of South Sudan. 3.1.1 Aerial photography. The need for Aerial photography is mainly because of the inexistent infrastructure throughout the different National Parks. However Aerial photos create a different perspective of the areas and its potential use in the tourism industry. Examples are countless, the rapids of the Nile, Juba town, the Imatong mountain range, the vast tropical forest in the South-West, the Sudd, the great migration of white-eared Kob and many more. When it comes to the use of aircraft: A helicopter can fly low and hover and land in difficult accessible places when ground photos are required and or the fly times are at the break of dawn or during the sunset. However because the cost of helicopter and the amount of fly-hours required for the photography is quite high, a fixed wing aircraft is a valuable alternative (with passenger door removed) with a much higher fly ceiling than a helicopter. 3.1.2. Ground photography. Ground photography will require trekking or hiking through remote places that might be cut-off because of the rainy seasons. The logistics are more complicated compared to Aerial photography. It would require different vehicles and a support team (including security). The need for ground photography is mainly to capture the feel and experience of the different places and natural resources for example capturing the specific animals in the different parks or wild water rafters in action or the beauty of the different traditional communities. 3.2. An example as identification of a potential Tourist attraction site. The Jonglei Canal and the creation of a museum around the defunct excavating machine illustrates the need to look further than just the national parks and game reserves but to have an open mind as to what constitutes a potential tourist attraction. This symbol of the South Sudan peoples independence and freedom has every quality to justify it as a potential tourist attraction site as building a lodge overlooking the Fulla rapids. 4. Advertisement and promotions programs. To create awareness both locally and internationally about the tourism potential in the Republic of South Sudan, attract both investors and visitors alike: The necessity of a consistent web strategy with the creation of two websites: 1 Website dedicated to investors in tourism under the ministry of tourism and wildlife. The information that is required for the website would target solely investors that are interested in investing in the South Sudan tourism industry. The idea is to create a one-stop shop for potential investors, from identifying a potential location to say build a lodge or

exploit a natural resource like water rafting to the different tax requirements or facilitations for investors. - - - - - - 2 The information required in this website would target solely travellers and tourist visiting the Republic of South Sudan either for business or leisure. Useful information regarding travelling in the Republic of South Sudan. Requirements for tourist Visas. The dos and dont, local customs, places to see and where to stay, how to travel, different available tour operators. The different parks, park attractions, the rates, rules and regulations. Much more. Website dedicated to visitors (portal for travellers) under the ministry of tourism and wildlife. Useful information for investors, regarding the local economy, people and customs. A list of available banks and simple related information, for example how to open a bank account? Information regarding the tax regulation for investors and or different investment licenses. A list of potential local contractors. A list and visual representation of the different potential exploitation sites within national parks and other places around the country. Much more.

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5. Brief profile of the photographer. Reinout Dujardin is a leading professional photographer in the East-African advertising Industry. Because of his international and art-based background, his creative and advisory approach to communication problems has been appreciated by many of the top advertising agencies and clients alike. He does not believe in the matter of fact approach of taking photographs whereby once a subject is photographed he moves to the next. Its about capturing the essence and feel of the subject or area, which requires expertise, discipline and most especially a lot of patience. One of the reasons he would be highly suitable for this type of assignment is the fact that he has for years worked for different hotels and lodges in the East-African tourism industry (Protea as an example) and perfectly understands their needs and requirements. He has also worked on numerous aerial photography projects for major clients such as the Lafarge group. 6. Conclusion. The creation of a professional image bank has for purpose the assessment of tourist attraction sites, which in turn has for purpose to attract international investors that will help the government in its drive to further develop the tourism industry. Lets show the world what the New Nation of South Sudan has to offer: from its rich and lush tropical forest reserves to the Sudd, one of the biggest wetland systems in the world. From savannah that hosts if not the biggest yearly animal migration in the world to Imatong mountain range and the vast River Nile and finally the rich and complex cultures across the different states and so much more. The creation of a professional image databank will enable the creation of two websites that are required to fulfill the needs of the advertisement and promotions programs.