Campaign to save tourism

AFTER three days of engagements at Africa's Travel and Tourism Summit, the Department of Tourism is confident that ideas from discussions will re-awaken the sector in the country.

A strong focus was placed on the revival of small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in townships and rural areas.

Department of Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela said SMMEs can assist in the sector's return to pre-Covid performance levels.

“The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan also makes provision for the establishment of a support hub to provide non-financial support to tourism businesses so as to increase the resilience of SMMEs during the pandemic and beyond,” he said.

Head of global policy and communications at Airbnb, Chris Lehane, said there had been an uptick in domestic tourism since the outbreak of the virus.