Tourism prepares to welcome international visitors as some travel bans eased
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
The Department of Tourism says it’s happy to welcome back some international tourists onto South African shores following the gradual return of flights from overseas destinations.
A number of countries closed their borders to SA amid a spike in Covid-19 cases, largely driven by the recently discovered Omicron variant.
The travel bans imposed by the United Kingdom, United States, European Union members, Canada, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Seychelles, Brazil and Guatemala threatened to disrupt South Africa’s economic recovery.
The easing of some of these restrictions puts SA back on the list as a top contender as one of the top holiday destinations this festive season.
The Tourism Department has welcomed the move.
“Earlier this week, the German government announced that Lufthansa will continue to fly to South Africa and that German nationals may visit South Africa,” says the department’s spokesperson Steve Motale.
“An additional number of airlines have eased outbound travel restrictions and South Africa welcomes these markets to its shores ahead of its summer season. Qatar Airways and Air France also announced the resumption of inbound and outbound flights to South Africa.
“At this stage, this arrangement is not yet reciprocal and South Africa is in continuous dialogue with these countries to lobby for the ban to be lifted in full.”
With the rising infections, Motale adds government will ensure the country remains on high alert as it prepares for increased activity.
“To ensure the safety of tourists and the sector, norms and standards for the safe operation of the tourism sector in the context of the Covid-19 and beyond had been implemented.”
Listen to Motale below:
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