Travel industry faces ‘crisis’
SAFARIBOOKING.COM, one of Africa’s largest online bookings agencies for safari tours, says the Covid-19 outbreak has hit the industry with a “heavy blow”.
The company conducted a survey among 361 safari tour operators which found that a quarter had experienced a 75% decrease in bookings, while 14% said it was business as usual.
A tour operator told the company: “Coronavirus is affecting our safari business. We’re experiencing fewer bookings as some clients are putting their bookings on hold while others have cancelled.”
Despite the World Health Organisation advising people not to cancel travel plans, the tourism sector is feeling the pinch. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said the industry’s prospects had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. “It is unclear how the virus will develop, but whether we see the impact contained to a few markets and a $63 billion (R1 trillion) revenue loss, or a broader impact leading to a $113bn loss of revenue, this is a crisis,” Iata said.
Procure Travel Africa summit director Riana Fouché said travel agents had had clients wanting to either postpone or cancel their international holidays.
“Most are quite anxious about the outbreak and spread based on the extensive news coverage,” said Fouché.
The South African government is screening travellers for Covid-19, while the Ivory Coast government has installed thermal imaging cameras at airports.
SA Revenue Service Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said: “Sars has made available it’s person protective equipment to customs officials at all ports of entry, including masks, gloves and hand sanitisers in line with national government guidelines.” No African has initiated travel bans, but Egyptair, Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways and Rwandair have suspended flights to China.