Dear MyPE The results of a survey conducted for the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) in collaboration with the Tourism Department and the International Finance Corporation released this week shows that the tourism sector has been severely negatively affected by Covid-19 and the measures taken to reduce the spread of it. Of the respondents that participated in this survey, 99% of them have been affected by the pandemic. The survey found that due to the lockdown the supply … [Read more...] about Department has wrong approach to Tourism
Manny de Freitas
Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Dear MyPE On Monday, the Department of Tourism presented its Tourism Recovery Plan to Parliament. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was left with more questions than answers as the recovery plan, which the Department claims would use a “risk-adjusted approach”, can only be described as one dimensional and devoid of any proper research. The only immediate proposal is its discriminatory race-based Tourism Relief Fund which will only do the sector more harm than good. Of particular concern to … [Read more...] about Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Tourism needs a phased opening up approach to prevent more job losses
Dear MyPE The statement made this week by the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane that the domestic tourism season “will likey only start in December” and that no international tourism would occur this year, is most concerning. Her statement implies that any tourism recovery plan that government may implement will not apply a phased or staggered approach. Unless certain sub-sectors of the travel and tourism sector start opening up soon, there will be nothing left to start in … [Read more...] about Tourism needs a phased opening up approach to prevent more job losses
How will Tourism sector will be assisted to prevent further job losses?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit Parliamentary questions to Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, to enquire about the implications for the Tourism sector in the short, medium and long term following his statement on 24 April 2020 that there will “not be much tourism that will be happening for a while. So, it would not make sense to allocate funds towards tourism during a period when tourism is not taking place,”. This is particularly relevant considering that he stated that … [Read more...] about How will Tourism sector will be assisted to prevent further job losses?
It appears the the Coronavirus may be racist
DA opposes race-based criteria for Tourism Support fund Dear MyPE The Department of Tourism announced on its website that a Tourism Relief Fund of R200 million has been made available to assist Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism and hospitality sector that are under economic pressure due to the new travel restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown. Although the Democratic Alliance (DA) supports the need for such a fund, we vehemently oppose the “delivery … [Read more...] about It appears the the Coronavirus may be racist
E-Visa pilot system
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) that it will this month start the piloting process for an online e-visa system. The DA understands that this new electronic self-service solution system will speedily facilitate the movement of low-risk travelers. This announcement also follows the welcomed move on the part of Government to scrap unabridged birth certificates as a requirement for minors travelling to the … [Read more...] about E-Visa pilot system
Tourism stats continue to spiral and threaten jobs
Dear MyPE The latest data released by StatsSA this week confirms the continuing downward trend for tourism in South Africa. The data is performance-based and records figures from January to August this year. The statistics confirm that fewer international tourists are visiting our shores, be it from other African countries or other parts of the world. Countries specifically targeted by TourismSA have shown a dramatic decrease in tourists to our country. This includes China, which has … [Read more...] about Tourism stats continue to spiral and threaten jobs
