Level 4 lockdown: Another heavy blow for SA tourism sector
Once again, national lockdown regulations will deal a blow to South Africa’s tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors. The updated restrictions are set to be in place for an initial period of two weeks but as history has shown, as often followed by extensions.
Businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors will again bear the brunt of these lockdown restrictions, which limit their ability earn an income.
RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF GAUTENG
The ban on leisure travel to and from Gauteng will have a negative impact on providers of tourism and hospitality services across the country. A large p
A portion of South Africa’s domestic tourists reside in Gauteng so the ban on leisure travel to and from Gauteng is set to impact airlines, accommodation providers and other tourism providers hosting travellers from the economic powerhouse of the country.
NATIONAL BAN ON EVENTS
The country was starting to get used to being able to go to restaurants and bars and enjoying attending entertainment venues which were subject to limitations on the number of participants allowed to enter indoor and outdoor venues.
The updated Level 4 restrictions place a national ban on gatherings and events. This has negative consequences for event organisers of events such as the Knysna Oyster Festival which was due to take place from 9 to 18 July, after being cancelled last year.
The event organisers of the National Arts Festival, in Makhanda, might also be forced to cancel or delay planned festival events which are due to take place from 8 to 18 July. The festival was scheduled to operate as a hybrid event, with both actual events taking place in Makhanda and virtual online performances .
HEADACHE FOR LOCAL TRAVELLERS
Passengers booked on local flights will once again face a glut of flight cancellations and schedule changes as a result of the airlines amending their flight schedules due to the tightened lockdown regulations.
Flying between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International or Lanseria International airports and destinations in other parts of South Africa will only be allowed for business and commercial purposes since leisure travel to and from Gauteng has been banned under the updated lockdown restrictions.
These regulations will undoubtedly lead to flight disruptions as airlines will be forced to cancel selected flights due to low passenger volumes and the revised curfew times.
AIRLINES REACT TO REVISED LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
Airlink has advised that its flights will operate as usual tomorrow morning but that disruptions can be expected for passengers on its evening flights.
FlySafair announced on social media that its flights have been impacted by the lockdown Level 4 measures and that some schedule adjustments are required. The airline says it will communicate with affected passengers by sms and email.
Kulula has said that tomorrow morning’s flights will not be impacted but that its flight schedules over the next couple of weeks will be adjusted. The airline says it will contact affected passengers to inform them of changes.
Mango Airlines has said that it will provide vouchers to all leisure travellers on its flights to and from Gauteng.
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