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South Africa’s tourism sector is cautiously optimistic about opening the country’s borders for international travel, but has warned that strict restrictions could affect recovery efforts.
In a speech on Wednesday night (September 16), President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the list of allowed countries will be released at a later date and the country will be selected based on the latest scientific data.
While not mentioned in his speech, reports indicate that the trips will likely focus on regional travel, including neighboring countries and parts of Africa.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, Executive Director of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, said Reuters that many will appear on the list of countries that will be allowed to travel to and from the country.
“If we don’t allow (people from) certain countries to travel (here) there has to be an adequate scientific and statistical model and explanation. This can turn into a public relations nightmare, ”Tshivhengwa said.
David Maynier, the Western Cape provincial finance minister, echoed these concerns, saying “the devil is in the details” and that upcoming regulations will play an important role in the recovery of tourism.
The South African Airlines Association (AASA) said authorities should act to accommodate business and leisure travelers and remove entry barriers such as visas and quarantine.
“We can’t afford to have travel deterrent requirements,” said Chris Zweigenthal, AASA CEO. The list of countries that will be allowed to take international travel will likely be limited when travel restarts on October 1.
The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has indicated that her department is focusing on creating a ‘regional travel bubble’.
“Our next step is to work towards reopening international travel,” he said at a press conference on September 4. “We are monitoring the risk of spreading the virus and are satisfied with the current downward trend of new infections, if they continue, they may accelerate the reopening of regional borders soon.
In this way, through regional coordination with our regional partners, we could create a regional travel bubble, he said.
“African land markets form the basis of tourism in South Africa. This region alone accounts for 71% of international arrivals. This would give a new impetus to the recovery efforts of the sector ”.
“Increasing domestic tourism coupled with regional travel will help us build trust for global travelers so that when we finally open all borders, we can attract travelers as a safe destination.”
Read: What you still can’t do under South Africa’s level 1 lockdown
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