Perceptions and consumption of game meat by a group of tourists visiting South Africa

The perceptions and consumption of game meat by overseas tourists visiting the Western Cape, South Africa, was researched by means of the survey procedure using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The research group consisted of sixty tourists, most of whom were German and Belgian. All respondents indicated that they know game meat and have eaten it, while most respondents (86%) indicated that they like game meat and would eat it again. The respondents further indicated game meat as the meat type they most favoured to order in restaurants in South Africa. This provides an opportunity for the restaurant industry to market game meat on a larger scale. Respondents indicated that they are aware of the health benefits associated with game meat, but that they were not aware of any promotion of game meat in South Africa. Although only 10% of the respondents indicated that they themselves have hunted before, the culling of game animals did not concern most of them. Warthog was identified by the respondents as the game species that most have eaten in South Africa