Covid-19 Coronavirus: South African Tourism Update

South African Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona hosted Glenton de Kock, CEO of the South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), and Projeni Pather, Chairperson of The Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), on a webinar to discuss the implications of easing the lockdown levels on the MICE sector. The discussion addressed the need to change the narrative around business events, sustainable pricing models, educating corporate clients, and the industry on guidelines for hosting events and exhibitions learning from countries such as Germany, New Zealand, and China who have opened the events and exhibitions.

As part of the development of the tourism sector’s recovery plan, TBCSA and South African Tourism are calling on the sector to make submissions on how we can collectively de-risk the tourism industry. This is to ensure that the plan reflects perspectives from across our diverse sector. To make your submission, please click here http://survey.tourismrecovery.co.za/ Submissions close on Thursday, 14 May 2020 at 12h00 midday.

The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and SA Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, discussed the state of the tourism sector as well as plans and ideas on how to open up the sector as part of government’s phased approach to opening up the economy and a path towards the recovery of the tourism sector in a webinar on 29 April 2020.

SA Tourism is undertaking the process of compiling a Tourism Recovery Plan for the sector. As such, we have created a series of webinars in order to engage the Tourism Industry on solutions, scenarios, and a way forward which will form part of this recovery plan. The following thought leaders will be the panellists: Septi Bukula - Founder & Director, Seeza Destination Network’s James Latham - Publisher & Partnerships, The Iceberg Consultancy Mariette du Toit - Helmbold - Founder, Destinate Thomas Mueller - Founder & CEO, Rainmaker Moderated by Sisa Ntshona and Jon Howell

SA Tourism is undertaking the process of compiling a Tourism Recovery Plan for the sector. As such, we have created a series of webinars in order to engage the Tourism Industry on solutions, scenarios, and a way forward which will form part of this recovery plan. The following thought leaders will be the panellists: Michael Tollman - CEO Cullinan Holdings Fouad Caunhye - Regional Managers, Southern Africa Emirates Stephan Ekberg - CEO Travelstart Velma Corcoran - Country Manager, Sub Saharan Africa Airbnb Moderated by Sisa Ntshona and Jon Howell

SA Tourism is undertaking the process of compiling a Tourism Recovery Plan for the sector. As such, we have created a series of webinars in order to engage the Tourism Industry on solutions, scenarios, and a way forward which will form part of this recovery plan. The following thought leaders will be the panellists: Suzanne Bayly-Coupe, CEO of Classic Portfolios; Chris Mears, CEO of African Travel and Tourism Association (UK); Graham Wood, COO of Sun International; Elmar Conradie, CEO of FlySafair. Moderated by Sisa Ntshona and Jon Howell

The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, recently announced the availability of a 200 million rand Tourism Relief Fund, aimed at providing some financial relief to SMMEs in the tourism sector during the pandemic. To find out how to apply, further information and fund guidelines visit https://www.tourism.gov.za/

The National Department of Tourism has made R200 million available to assist SMEs in the tourism and hospitality sector who are under particular stress due to the travel restrictions and the national lockdown. The Tourism Relief Fund provides once-off capped grant assistance to SMMES in the tourism value chain to ensure their sustainability during and post the implementation of the government measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa. Click here: https://www.tourism.gov.za/Pages/home.aspx for details on the Tourism Relief Fund for more information on the following: Categories of establishments who are eligible to apply Steps that you must follow to apply The process for approval

National Convention offers to assist associations and organisations to find new dates to encourage events that rotate on a global calender so that these are postponed rather than cancelled.

The ripple event of the pandemic is far reaching touching many industries beyond the hospitality sector.

Amanda calls on everyone to rather postpone, than cancel events. The NCB can assist organisers to find alternative venues and boost their marketing efforts.

This is an opportunity to think of new and innovative ideas for the Africa Travel INDABA that will be hosted at a suitable date in the future.

This is an important time to work together and maintain the relationships that have been established over a number of years.

Amanda highlights the importance of understanding the criteria and process to access the available funding options.

The business events industry has been impacted significantly as over 211 000 events are hosted annually.

The National Convention Bureau wants to look at programmes, especially CSI projects, that can deliver real experiences with real outcomes.

The bid support programme hopes to assist smaller events from different sectors and not only the large conferences.