Covid-19 Coronavirus: South African Tourism Update

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is disappointed following announcements by the UK to place South Africa back on the red list together with five neighbouring African countries following the announcement by the country’s health department.

South African Tourism (SA Tourism) has noted the latest reports of a new Covid-19 variant (B.1.1.529) discovered by South African scientists. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) yesterday, advised that 22 positive cases of the B.1.1.529 variant have been recorded in the country.

After the cancellation of two signature global trade shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South African Tourism is excited to once again host both Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba. The destination marketing organisation has today confirmed that the flagship business events and leisure trade shows will return next year, with both platforms being hosted as physical events with limited virtual components.

South Africa National Conventions Bureau (SANCB) is proud to announce the town of Upington as the host of the fourth Pride of Mzansi LGBT+ Masterclass taking place from 15 to 20 November at Upington Protea Hotel.

From the 20th to the 22nd October, the three-day event is expected to see participation from over 1,000 Indian buyers and 100 South African suppliers~  South African Tourism will be hosting its maiden virtual Roadshow in India. Titled ‘VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica’ the national roadshow aims to showcase unique offerings that South Africa has to offer to both Indian leisure tourists and business events delegates.

One of the country’s leading banks, Nedbank, and South African Tourism, has launched an innovative empowerment initiative to promote black women owned businesses in tourism. (Image caption:  Back row: From left to right:  Dr Nimrala Reddy, Strategy Specialist: Entreprise & Supplier Development, Nedbank Business Banking // Ongopotse Lechaba, Strategy Analyst, Nedbank Front row: From left to right: Zandile  Dhlamini, Director at Aahaah Shuttle & Tours // Bongiwe Monakedi, Founder of Monabo Hygiene // Sthembiso Dlamini, Acting CEO, South African Tourism // Goolam Kader, Managing Executive for Nedbank Business Banking)

With South Africa currently in Adjusted Alert Level One for Covid Response and the recent announcement that the country has been taken off the UK’s red list, the tourism sector has kicked into gear its Global Advocacy Programme to ramp up advocacy efforts in key source markets around the world. This advocacy programme forms part of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, which was recently adopted by national government and the tourism sector.

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has welcomed the UK decision to relax travel limitations by taking South Africa off its red list of country destinations with effect from Monday 11 October.

Cabinet has announced South Africa’s participation at the EXPO2020 Dubai that will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. The theme of this year's Expo is "Connecting Minds and Creating the Future via Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity".

Tourism Month is the celebration of people, places and products. With people at the heart of its brand, South Africa boasts a wealth of diverse landscapes and cityscapes, populated with an array of tourism products to suit every traveller’s need.

Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela visited the Golden Gate Highlands National Park on Sunday 26 September 2021 as part of the National Department of Tourism’s (NDT) activities to commemorate national Tourism month across the country. This visit comes at an opportune time as the construction of the Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre is at its tail end, The Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre in Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a legacy project that was funded by the NDT through its Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund in 2018.

Today Netflix announced the launch of the Made in South Africa content collection - a curated collection featuring over 80 South African films, series, documentaries and reality TV shows created by some of the country’s most prolific talent both behind and in front of the camera. The collection highlights South African storytellers and talent who have elevated South Africa’s creative industry recognition around the world.