Government’s recent announcement regarding the easing of certain lockdown restrictions pertaining to the tourism industry gives little hope for the future, says The Drakensberg Experience committee.

Last week, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said that only intra-provincial travel for leisure would be permitted, the 9pm curfew would be moved to 10pm to allow restaurants to serve customers during peak hours, and that tour operators would be allowed to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles.

“The reality of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fluctuating risk of the virus spread has dictated that we pace ourselves in our efforts to re-open the sector. However, we believe that so far, one step at a time, we are walking in the right direction,” said the Minister during a press briefing.

This announcement came days after dozens of employers, employees and supporters joined a national call to open up the sector and gathered along the R74 from Winterton to Bergville to form a human chain in protest of the lockdown regulations.

SEE MORE HERE: Calls to open up the tourism sector

Speaking about government’s decision to ease some of the lockdown restrictions, Drakensberg Experience chairperson Belinda Spence said that while opening up intra-provincial leisure travel was appreciated, there was still a long road ahead.

“Our area is very reliant on the ‘Gautengers’, so we would really like inter-provincial to open soon. Remembering that tourism is not always about just accommodation, we would really like to see the alcohol ban lifted for the sake of our hotel bars and for all the restaurants to be able to serve alcohol, even if there is a restriction for only wine and beer to begin with,” commented Mrs Spence.

Employment at the much-loved tourist destinations has also taken a knock.

“Many people are not bringing staff back yet, as bookings will take a while to pick up. The July Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) TERS has not yet opened, so the staff are still short of money,” she said.

Mrs Spence explained that the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be far-reaching.

“Many are only expecting normality to come back at the end of 2022 into 2023, so it will be a long haul. We rely on the international visitors for midweek occupancy and out-of-season bookings. Most internationals book four to six months ahead and they won’t do that until they know we are opening borders. Basic percentages are 60% nationals and 40% internationals,” concluded Mrs Spence.

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