Tourism readying to reopen

THE TOURISM Business Council of South Africa has been engaging on the tourism recovery strategy being developed by South African Tourism.

TBCSA is advocating for the earlier phased reopening of international tourism to South Africa as soon as September. The data-driven recovery strategy is guided by the government’s risk-adjustment strategy, as well as the preparation the industry has put in place to ensure safety and stringent health-focused protocols to assist stakeholders within the travel and tourism value-chain. The TBCSA will also be presenting the approach at the next parliamentary portfolio committee meeting on June 9.

South Africa is following a risk-adjusted strategy based on levels of lockdown, not dates. The levels are defined according to relevant epidemiological facts – parts of the travel and tourism sector have been earmarked for return in levels 2 and 1, depending on their risk profile and the spread of Covid-19.

However, we have seen the inclusion of business travel in level 3 as a result of successful lobbying. We are confident we are in a position to reopen the inbound market in a safe and health-focused manner in September.

The TBCSA is putting emphasis on the importance of tourism to South Africa in the fourth quarter and the value of forward booking.

The summer high season, from September to March, represents 60% of the annual business. Tourism employs more than 375 000 people and contributes 8.7% of our exports. It is estimated that more than 40 000 jobs have been lost. It is critical to preserve those left.

There are also knock-on effects to other parts of the economy as a result of not having international tourism and travel open. This will also affect South Africa’s status as a regional hub and leading African destination should neighbouring countries and our competitors open their borders faster.

Communities and conservation have been hit hard by the lockdown. The loss of jobs and income is being felt in the communities adjacent to parks. The direct impacts on conservation from reduced revenues and reduced corporate spending, as well as indirect impacts through increased environmental crime, are potentially devastating.

The proposed recovery strategy provides for a six-to-eight week preparation phase, followed by a phase 1 trial phase where safe source markets with similar risk profiles are allowed to travel to South Africa. The travellers would be vetted, stringent safety protocols would be in place and the focus would be on low-contact product and low-risk areas, traditionally with low density.

In phase 2, South Africa would further open key markets, expand the experiences on offer, until phase 3 where air access is opened fully. South Africa will have to focus on continuing to create an enabling environment for tourism which looks at more visa waivers, a robust eVisa system, the fixing of vehicle licensing and permits and air liberalisation.

The TBCSA is the umbrella organisation representing the unified voice of business in the travel and tourism sector and was established in February 1996. It is a not-for-profit, member-centric organisation mandated with focussing on legislative issues and policies impacting on the travel and tourism sector; managing and growing tourism; influencing the marketing of South Africa, as well as research.