Despite the decision to remove South Africa from the UK’s red list, many tourism venues said that they had lost millions and were facing an uncertain future.
Travel bans were imposed by the UK after local scientists announced the discovery of the Omicron variant.
After the variant was found in many other countries, including the UK, it was announced that the travel ban was being rescinded.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said that the announcement by the UK government was a step in the right direction for the country’s tourism sector.
Her spokesperson Steve Motale: “The Omicron variant is something that we continue to take seriously and our scientists are closely monitoring its trajectory to contain the virus.”
But managing director of the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Michael Nel, said that they had lost millions.
“It is absolutely unbelievable the amount of business we lost in those 48 hours, not just for December but going forward as well, in excess of R10 million over a couple of hours,” Nel said.
He said that during the summer season, 85% of their guests were foreign nationals.
Nel said that with the country off the red list, there was still a sense of uncertainty.
“Do they have the confidence to now book? December is done and we’ll maybe see a couple of bookings come back in but January and February is where we need to focus on now and hopefully, the guests from the UK will have the confidence that nothing is going to happen and they can actually travel to South Africa,” Nel said.
-EWN
In other news – No jab, no job – Muvhango actors forced to vaccinate
The cast and crew of South African soap opera, SABC 2’s Muvhango will receive their covid-19 jabs. This is after they were given an ultimatum by the soapie creator Duma Ndlovu to vaccinate or lose their contracts.
About 200 members, including the cast, production personnel, and directors will be at the site joined by the Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Art, Culture, and Recreation Mbali Hlope, and the MEC for Health Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi to receive jabs at the SABC offices in Auckland Park. Learn More
