TNW Lodges, Development, Management and Marketing is dedicated to the development of the philosophy of ecotourism within the tourism industry, in order to contribute to the protection and conservation of the remaining wilderness areas in Africa. As partners in this endeavour with ecotourism operators, the Company strives to achieve a correct balance between ecological sensitivity requirements, local community aspirations and the profitable and efficient operation of ecotourism enterprises.

This service is geared particularly towards existing ecotourism operations wishing to assess and possibly improve their quality of service in all aspects of the lodge operation. Very often lodge owners or management perceive the quality of the lodge and its service to be of a high standard. The reverse at worst, with certain aspects of service delivery being sub standard at best, can sometimes be the reality. It often takes a fresh set of eyes and ears to be able to pick up those aspects of service delivery not up to standard and to ascertain where the lodge is performing poorly, especially from a guest’s perspective. In addition poor management or unsuitable administrative or managerial procedures can be detrimental to the operation.

TNW Lodges provides a comprehensive planning and development service for both potential investors in ecotourism projects and existing Landowners or Operators wishing to develop suitable land for ecotourism purposes. The following aspects are covered.

• Information relating to national economic circumstances, tourism trends, geopolitical background information, details of National Parks, relevant wildlife information in the applicable area, national infrastructure and points and means of supply and any other information relative to the project.
• Recommendations relating to the appropriate size, style and infrastructural requirements of the ecotourism operation.
• Applicable investment incentives and tax concessions and information, applicable to the country in which the operation is to be established.
• A detailed lodge inventory including fittings, equipment and furnishings.
• Annual profitability projections relative to forecasted occupancy levels offsetting the expenses of the operation, capital expenditure and interest against anticipated income.
• Appropriate staffing levels and categories relevant to the size of the operation with recommended remuneration levels.

TNW Lodges provides a project development co-ordination service, subject to the requirements of the lodge owner in order to ensure that the end product matches the expectations of the developer and the expectations of the market segment identified as the lodge target market.

In keeping with our ecotourism philosophies TNW Lodges provides a comprehensive management service for lodge owners encompassing the following:

• Comprehensive policies and procedures covering such aspects as job descriptions, industrial relations, administration, personnel policies, reservations, accounting and safari procedures.
• Management of personnel relating to recruitment, training and career path planning.
• Active liaison on a continuous basis with the management structures in the lodge in order to create a sustained quality and ethic with regard to the management function.
• Provision of comprehensive management reports highlighting areas of concern, achievements, work in progress and completed and a complete financial review.
• The initiation and monitoring of suitable local community programmes in terms of available funding with local employment preference, in order to engender good community relations.
• Comprehensive environmental policies encompassing responsible safari procedures, waste disposal, road placement and habitat management, which are essential in order to maintain and conserve the environment on a sustainable basis.

TNW Lodges provides a professional Lodge and Safari Relief Management service. Human resources for this purpose are provided by TNW Consultants or from experienced people affiliated to TNW Consultants.

Lodge staff training focuses on guest needs awareness and empathy and respect for the environment within all facets of staff operations. Training for lodge staff includes housekeeping, reception, food and beverage (waiters & barmen) and safari functions.

TNW Lodges (through various personnel companies including J.D.Specialised Services) recruits suitably qualified and experienced safari and management staff for the ecotourism industry. It is our mission to recruit staff not only suitably qualified, but who also subscribe to our ethical standards relating to ecotourism. TNW Lodges has a portfolio of candidates for placement in suitable positions as required.

Enviroserve provides a habitat management and ecological planning service to clients, utilising trained and experienced ecologists encompassing the following:

• Ecological surveys and recommendations regarding improvements and programmes to ensure the land’s restoration and optimal sustainable use.
• Habitat management programmes encompassing the correct placement of roads, erosion management, rehabilitation of incorrectly placed roads, coppice control, alien species eradication, land rehabilitation programmes and training for in-house habitat management staff.
• Development of on-going habitat management policies and programmes with definite short, medium and long-term objectives, in order to achieve the optimum sustainability and condition of the land.
• Investigation of the historical zoological status of the land, in order to achieve the correct stocking variety and carrying capacity.

TNW Lodges assists individuals and/or organisations to find suitable properties for ecotourism development purposes. The Company has a portfolio of available properties. Both the planning, development and management services provided, can then be utilised.