SA Tourism ‘ready’ for international visitors
South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona says they are delighted with the news that the country’s borders will reopen for international travellers on lockdown level 1.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday that the country will move to level 1 after spending six months under heavy Covid-19 restrictions.
Ramaphosa announced the easing of several restrictions, including international travel and social and religious gatherings.
Ntshona says the resumption of international travel will provide a boost to the economy.
"The opening of international travel will help with the very important aspect of our industry, the forex, pound and other currency will help the SA tourism balance to pick up.
“It's been a long six months, but we are awaiting the details framework of countries that have been identified as high-risk areas.”
Ntshona says it will take two years for the sector to recover to 2019 levels of activity.
"The moving up of maximum number from 50 to 250 will help to get the commercial aspect of the industry up and running again. However, we must caution that all this enthusiasm must be looked at on the backdrop that we are still having the coronavirus pandemic."
Ntshona says the sector is not yet ready to host any big events.
"We have to be cognisant of the limitation that needs to be put in place. However, we are looking onto the 2021 calendar and we will take advantage of filling it systematically."
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