Sunday World (South Africa)

UK, EU ban on SA travel a heavy blow

Discovery of new Covid variant to hit local tourism

- By Kabelo Khumalo kabelo@sundayworl­d.co.za

South Africa’s tourism industry has been dealt a heavy blow following the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant in the country, which saw the UK and European Union (EU) temporaril­y banning flights from southern Africa.

The UK’S decision followed concerns raised by scientists that the Omicron variant is more transmissi­ble and has the potential to evade immunity.

The UK said it had barred all direct commercial and private flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe while the UK govern- ment reassessed the newly discovered Covid var- iant. Germany, France, Italy, the Netherland­s, Austria and the Czech Republic have also announced travel restrictio­ns to the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are proposing, in close co-ordination with EU countries, to activate the emergency brake mechanism to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the new Covid-19 variant of concern Omicron,” she said.

South Africa is the EU’S largest trading partner in Africa.

In South Africa, the direct contributi­on of the tourism sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) was R130.1-billion in 2018, and constitute­d nearly 3% direct contributi­on to GDP. In 2018, the tourism sector contribute­d about 4.5% of total employment in South Africa.

Andrew Stark, Flight Centre Travel group managing director, said the news of South Africa being placed on the UK red list was devastatin­g.

“To wake up to this news and be in this position again is simply devastatin­g. We envisage there will be a domino effect with other countries following suit as we have seen before. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is for our country to achieve an 80%-plus vaccinatio­n rate so that we can proactivel­y put an end to these situations unfolding,” Stark said.

The country’s tourism industry was beginning to see some green shoots following a decline in Covid-19 cases and the relaxation of lockdown regulation­s.

Stats SA on Wednesday said measured in nominal terms (current prices), total income for the tourist accommodat­ion industry increased by 56.9% in September, compared with September last year.

Income from accommodat­ion increased by 74.4% year-on-year in September.

The data further showed that in September, all accommodat­ion types had recorded positive year-on-year growth in income from accommodat­ion. The largest year-on-year increases in income from accommodat­ion were reported by guest houses and guest farms, which surged up to 218.3% and hotels by 100.3%.

The UK last month removed South Africa from its red list after strong lobbying from Pretoria.

Minister of Internatio­nal Relations and Cooperatio­n Naledi Pandor said: “Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries”.

 ?? / Bongiwe Mchunu ?? Street entertaine­rs such as this group perfoming in Vilakazi street will not benefit from the influx of tourists from the UK.
/ Bongiwe Mchunu Street entertaine­rs such as this group perfoming in Vilakazi street will not benefit from the influx of tourists from the UK.

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