Tourism industry’s appeals not heard

THE Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) board held an urgent meeting to discuss the way forward, after various attempts to convince the government to allow a phased reopening of the tourism sector have not been answered.

The industry has decided to consider its options to stop the daily R748m loss of tourism expenditure and the further permanent loss of much needed jobs.

On June 17, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced further easing of lockdown restrictions, including reopening accommodation and leisure travel. This was published in the government gazette on June 25.

Since June 26, there have been many confusing statements stating leisure accommodation is not allowed.

On Friday night, the Presidency’s official Twitter account published an infographic that accommodation establishments, with the exception of private homes for paid leisure accommodation, may operate for business and leisure travel – the tweet was taken down and the next day was replaced with a statement claiming they “picked up an error in the graphic which suggested that accommodation for leisure travel was permitted”.

This has caused intense frustration and confusion within the industry. We have tried appealing but our appeals were not adequately considered.

The tourism industry has been pegged as one that has the potential to create much-needed jobs and the banning goes against job creation.

TSHIFHIWA TSHIVHENGWA | chief executive of the Tourism Business Council of SA