Besides trying to fight insurers on behalf of the Travel, Tourism and Leisure industry, various tourism associations, together with suppliers themselves, have been working around the clock to prepare themselves and put forward the plight of the industry to quell the recent predictions that inbound travel will not resume before 2021.
South Africa’s Department of Tourism released a statement on the 27th May, suggesting international tourism wouldn’t be possible before 1 February 2021.
On the 30th May Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, further reported that, “based on the COVID-19 epidemic expected trajectory”, international tourism would return “next year”. To say that this unsubstantiated prediction wreaked havoc and unnecessary alarm within South Africa’s travel industry, is an understatement.
The ‘Risk-Adjusted’ reopening strategy articulated in parliament was determined on levels of infections, rather than exact dates, so was confirmed to be ‘speculative’.
The TBCSA together with the South African Tourism Board are working on a recovery strategy, which will be presented to government on completion. This proposition (like the air bridges scheme currently being worked on in the UK), would see international tourists travelling to South Africa as early as September this year.
“The strategy is data-driven and advocates unequivocally for the opening of international tourism to South Africa this year, “TBCSA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, told The Telegraph.
“We’ve looked at the best practise from international destinations that are opening up to international travel and tourism, and have developed stringent health and safety protocols that are aligned with the latest World Health Organization, National Institute of Communicable Disease and Department of Health guidelines. These have been approved by the Department of Tourism and are being rolled out as we speak.
“These protocols are important because they will inform the exact timelines for the reopening of international tourism.”
Phase 1 would allow for travel only to strictly low-risk areas and lower population density. Further significant markets would open during Phase 2, before allowing all air travel to fully return in Phase 3.
“We are confident South Africa’s tourism economy can be opened up safely if we follow global best practice and the comprehensive protocols we have developed” added Tshivhengwa. “By opening up in a responsible manner as close to September 1 as possible, we will save the entire 2021 inbound tourism revenue stream and tourism in South Africa”
Owner of Johannesburg-based Buja Tours, Jabu Matsilele, told The Telegraph he had been left with no alternative than to lay off staff and cancel or postpone current bookings.
Robert More, the owner of a collection of luxury safari lodges and boutique hotels, also confirmed the damaging affects lockdown had on his staff and the wider communities.
I’m sure the Travel, Tourism and Leisure industry at large will agree with More when he says he has been able to remain positive thanks to the committed energised and aligned collaboration he has witnessed, as well as the willingness of the South African authorities to work with industry suppliers on a solution to get the economy up and running as soon as safely possible.
Credit to Emma Cooke, CONTENT EDITOR
The Telegraph on 8 June 2020: