AirBNB a solution for lack of tourism stock in Knysna
People affected by fire have been given free accommodation until June 30
HUGE fires wreaked havoc in the Southern Cape the week before last with massive blazes ripping through a large tract of the Garden Route. The fires spread rapidely and this destroyed property and claimed several lives. The tragedy that occurred is best captured by Herman Labuschagne, who said: “People are speaking softly in Knysna. They don’t smile a lot, but theirs is not the expression of defeat. It is merely the expression of determination to continue one day at a time. They seem grateful to be asked how they have fared. Nobody asks for anything. They’re not even asking to be heard. They’re just glad you’re there – spending a minute to hear a stranger.’
The provincial government has allocated R75 million to assist with rebuilding Knysna after the fires in the town and surrounding areas.
An outpouring of compassion has seen citizensand corporates donating to the victims. Firefighters from all over South Africa arrived in the areawith light tickets sponsorship by Comair, which operates British Airways, and kulula.com.
The damage caused by the fires shocked President Jacob Zuma when he visited the area with Premier Helen Zille.
More than 100 000 people were evacuated, while more than 1 100 firefighters worked tirelessly to tame the flames.
The Western Cape is one of the premier tourism destinations in South Africa, especially for international tourists. The fires have destroyed tourism stock, especially accommodation providers, including Phantom Forest Lodge, Bradach Manor, Kanonkop House, The Big Tree House Lodge, Bridgewater Manor and Four on Faure.
The SANParks Knysna Forest was spared major damage and is open for business.
South Africans are encouraged to support the Knysna Oyster Festival in July. The site where the festival is hosted in the Knysna Forest has not suffered extensive damage.
The tourism industry will bounce back, and provide a solution to restart the local economy.
AirBNB, activated its Disaster Response Programme, offering free accommodation for those affected by the fire until June 30, 2017.
AirBNB also used this programme in other locations to offer free accommodation to those affected by the Trump ban in January and during the Paris attacks in 2015.
The tourism industry in the Garden Route must engage in a publicity campaign to show that in spite of the damage, the region is open for business.
The rebuilding process for destroyed accommodation and property will take time.
In the meantime, AirBNB offers a platform where the tourism economy can be saved by encouraging owners of properties that was not destroyed to register and offer commercial tourism accommodation.
This will be an opportunity to earn additional income for those property owners, and provide an immediate source of tourism supply for tourists to book for travel to the region.
This will save the region from entering a period of decline in tourist arrivals.
The economy is dependent on the consumption economy led by tourism. Tourism in South Africa is the new gold, sustaining year on year growth of 13%, while our economy will not achieve 1% economic growth. Tourism growth has been driven by the development of low-cost carriers which have led to the development of secondary airports such as Lanseria, George and Plettenberg Bay because of customer demand to travel.
The internet explosion has seen the emergence of technology disruptors ranging from Uber in transportation to AirBNB for accommodation, leading to greater tourism consumption.
Cape Town has benefited more than any South African city as locals are AirBNB hosts, earning a passive income that has led to urban renewal, especially in the CBD. Technology can be a force for good when it is harnessed, and the crisis in Knysna is a perfect opportunity to exploit it and grow our tourism industry.
Going back to Hermann Labuschagne, the crisis is not an opportunity for despair, it must be an expression of determination to continue one day at a time.
Times of despair are pregnant with opportunities and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity is most prevalent during such times. This is the time not to waste time, as we rebuild the tourism industry that will restore human dignity for thousands that have lost property in the Knysna area by creating entrepreneurial and job opportunities for thousands.