Visit South Africa in 2021
Statement from South African Tourism and Tourism Business Council of South Africa.
South Africa is travel ready
This was the message Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), took to the South African Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism (PCoT) on 09 June 2020. International media have reported that South Africa will only open for international visitors to return in February 2021 has had an even bigger impact on job losses. Tourism contributes 8.6% to South Africa’s total GDP and accounts for 1.5 million jobs. COVID-19 has had devastating effects on all aspects of our country and our economy, including our tourism sector.
“Industry is lobbying for phased reopening of international inbound tourism as close to 1 September 2020 as possible based on stringent safety and health protocols” – TBCSA
The statement TBCSA released is a data-driven recovery strategy for South Africa formulated with South African Tourism and leaders in our tourism industry. It looks at domestic travel being opened for leisure as soon as safely possible, followed by a phased trial with guests from countries who’s own COVID-19 risk profiles are similar to ours. The focus for these guests would be to visit low-risk areas in South Africa with low contact. Safari Lodges and our remote areas are ideal for this type of travel.
“There have been many statements that talked about opening in 2021. We are no longer talking about opening in 2021, but instead, we are talking about how important it is to open as soon as possible this year. Our approach to opening is guided by health and safety protocols that emphasise the need to protect staff, guests, and suppliers within our sector.” Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa
This is the first step on the road to recovery for the tourism sector and South Africa. Job creation and growth in our sector is vital for growth in South Africa’s economy.
You can read the full statement here and know that South Africa is Travel Ready when you are ready to travel again!
