South Africa is gradually opening up Tourism

AAs from today, 29 June 2020, business conferences of no more than 50 people can now take place in South Africa, whilst restaurants are now also open for patrons to enjoy sit-down meals. Added to this, accredited accommodation establishments are open for domestic business travellers while South Africans can now also play golf, and go to cinemas and theatres which will be open at limited capacities in order to maintain physical and social distancing. 

This is all part of a phased reopening of the tourism sector and tourism-related services in accordance with South Africa’s Risk-Adjusted Strategy which is based on lockdown levels, and not on set dates. 

When the Risk-Adjusted Strategy was introduced in April, the tourism sector’s reopening was initially placed at level 1, with limited operations permissible at level 2. However, with the tourism sector’s introduction of Health & Operational Protocols and government’s continuous review of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, the South African tourism sector is gradually opening at advanced level 3. 

 “Allowing for business conferences, albeit at limited capacity, as well as the reopening of accredited and licensed accommodation establishments for domestic business travellers, is proof that tourism is in fact opening up.  As envisioned, this is based on a phased approach with domestic tourism opening up first followed by regional tourism and then international tourism,” says South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona. 

This further opening of the tourism sector comes at the back of the reopening of skies for limited domestic air travel at the beginning of June when: 

• Tourist guides, tour operators, travel agents, tourism information officers were allowed to resume operations
• Public and private game farms were opened for self-drive excursions
• Hiking was open, provided it is done in compliance with existing guidelines and not in groups
• Gaming activities also resumed

“We thank our trade partners both here in South Africa and across the world, for their continued support and patience. South African Tourism, together with other industry stakeholders, will continue engaging with government to find ways of further opening the tourism industry, safely. As the impact of COVID-19 on the country changes, the reopening process will be reviewed and revised,” adds Ntshona. 

“Whilst our regional and international borders remain closed, our biggest priority is ensuring that when we are ready to share our wonderful destination with the world again, we do so in a safe and responsible manner. We wish to continue making sound decisions with all travellers and the sector’s employees in mind,” concludes Ntshona.

For more information and further updates please visit: www.southafrica.net.

For enquiries, please contact:

Thandiwe Mathibela at South African Tourism   

Email: thandiwe@southafrica.net  OR mediaq@southafrica.net

Website www.southafrica.net