Tourism industry concerned about effects of ongoing unrest

As was predicted recently, tourism, especially those relying on transport to and from the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Kruger Gate and some of the private game reserves, is still being severely hampered by service delivery protests in the region.

While the R536 remained open most of the time since Hazyview Herald last reported on the issue, protest action in the Justicia and Belfast areas intensified.

Over the past weekend Newington Gate remained closed while Shaws Gate remained open, but on Monday several Whatsapp groups reported that protesters attempted to close both Newington and Shaws Gates that provide access to some of the private game reserves. Until the time of going to press the situation remained very volatile, with reports of trees being chopped down and burned in the road, as well as burning tyres used to block the entrances.

Hazyview Herald managed to speak to role players in the hospitality industry as well as tour operators, who preferred to remain anonymous, about the effects of the unrest on their business.

Especially transport operators are desperate. Many of them are working freelance and find that visitors prefer to fly in to Skukuza or private airstrips, rather than making use of their services by road.

Lodge managers, however, are adamant that guests would still be safe under their roofs. “We have every possible strategy in place to keep guests safe and provide them with an enjoyable time, since this remains our purpose,” they said. “There is currently very good communication between us, the KNP and all tour operators and tourism organisations.”

They also reveal that they make use of detours to get guests to the establishments safely, and urge private visitors that use of their own transport to contact the respective lodges before visiting to be informed about safe access routes and times.

Asked about what role they may fulfil in solving the protesters’ issues, a lodge manager assured Hazyview Herald that all of them have very good relationships with the broader communities. “Almost all these lodges run NGOs which provide services that are appreciated by the communities. We also communicate with municipal representatives often, since service delivery in the area needs to be improved,” he said.

The Justicia area for one had been without water for weeks now. “We are in contact with the municipality about that and can report that the mayor herself is very proactive in solving the issue.” He added though that the capacity to solve it quickly lacks.

The industry role players also try to communicate with the protesters themselves, but find that difficult. “Most of their actions and the instigation towards it are politically motivated,” they say.

Through their communication it became clear that it is small factions, internal as well as external, that instigate mainly the youth towards these actions. “And some councillors are also among the culprits,” they allege. Everybody concurs that the whole situation affects Hazyview the most. “Instead of travelling through town and spending time and money there, everyone that can afford it rather flies into the reserves.”

And while this affects formal business, it also indirectly affects those that need money from tourism the most, just as much or even more.

Tour operators and lodge personnel are also sensitive about sending a negative message to the world. “We don’t want to scare visitors off, we can still offer them the experience of a lifetime,” they promise.

An outcry for government officials, even our president Cyril Ramaphosa, to visit the area and observe the dire need for stability, is uttered by most of the role players. At the same time, however, they realise that the local tourism industry will have to tolerate this at least until the coming elections.