Ballito businesses buoyant about holiday tourism despite 2nd wave

Despite the pending closure of beaches on the 7 busiest days of the festive season, North Coast businesses have reported minimal cancellations, with some businesses faring better than others.

While KZN beaches were spared from the blanket festive season ban of the eastern Cape and Garden Route, beaches will be closed December 16, 25, 26, and 31 as well as January 1, 2 and 3.

2-On Main restaurant owner Lee Campbell said while the restaurant industry was one of the hardest hit, having to endure months of closure, he was hopeful the new restrictions for beaches would not affect the restaurant trade as people would simply use their beach time to eat out.

“The visitors are here and as long as we remain vigilant we can see the festive period through.” 

Inus van Schalkwyk of Cyberview Letting said he only had cancellations of around 5%, despite calls from concerned holidaymakers pouring in.

Hampshire Hotel Ballito manager Atenkosi Hela said demand had declined sharply during the pandemic and had yet to recover. The hotel had seen a 50% decline in bookings over December. 

“We have seen significant occupancy dips including last-minute cancellations following president Cyril Ramaphosa’s televised address last Monday. Many of our guests are from inland and the beach closures over the peak holidays has certainly contributed to the cancellations. We are hoping for things to pick up early next year,” said Hela.

Salt Rock Hotel and Beach Resort general manager Dean Gilder confirmed a decline in bookings over December and numerous cancellations following the announcement of closure of beaches on the busy days of the season. 

Enterprise iLembe acting CEO Cheryl Peters said she hoped the effect of beach closures would not too severe.

“Some establishments have reported no cancellations while others are reporting up to 40% cancellations in one day. This is obviously concerning as this will have a major impact on the tourism sector as a whole,” said Peters. 

iLembe Business Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse said limited accommodation cancellations had been reported.

“Where such cancellations did take place it was primarily holiday makers departing earlier because of the beach closure from the 1st to 3rd January.

“The revised regulations undoubtedly had an impact, even if it was as a stark reminder of the continued crisis brought about by the pandemic – and the tension that will continue to exist between health and economic policy during the pandemic.”

It was also possible that lower tourism spend was due to holidaymakers tightening their belts.

Oelofse said the beaches were safer than ever with effective enforcement of by-laws by KwaDukuza municipality, with the support of the Saps and many others, such as the Ballito UIP, Ballito CPF, and the neighbourhood watches.

“The control of alcohol consumption and related anti-social behaviour has resulted in vast improvement on last year and has hopefully set a standard that can be maintained throughout 2021 and the future.” 

Under the new restrictions the total number of people in a venue may not exceed more than 50% of the capacity of the venue.

Non-essential establishments, including restaurants and bars, will have to close at 10pm so that staff and patrons can get home before the enforcement of the curfew. 

As of Monday, December 21 more than 141 372 cases have so far been confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal, while iLembe district has 8 516 cases with deaths at 133. The total death toll in province was 3 462.