Tourism sector
COVID lockdown: CT tourism lost almost R2bn & 12k jobs during Dec holidays
The city's official tourism body released a report on Friday detailing that just under 12,000 job losses were also recorded over this time as a result of...
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said that she knew that France, the UK and the US who are deemed high-risk COVID-19 regions were key tourism markets but it was just too risky to fully reopen leisure travel to these countries.
Kubayi-Ngubane thanked South Africans who visited various attractions across the country which she says has given the industry a much-needed boost.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced an easing of restrictions, which will kick in at the stroke of midnight on Sunday.
Following an agreement with industry regulators, more insurers have started making pay-outs to clients with business interruption insurance. It's an interim measure while insurers go to court in search of legal certainty.
About 1.5 million people employed in the sector had to stay home for over four months when the country’s lockdown regulations halted the movement of people.
The sector was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 lockdown regulations with inter-provincial and international travel shut down – forcing Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to shave off funds for tourism.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane will brief the nation on what lockdown level 2 means for the tourism industry. Inter-provincial travel has been allowed.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane described the coronavirus pandemic as one of the biggest challenges the country had ever faced.
Convener at the Private Charter Passenger Association Isaac Jansen hoped that the slow drive would raise awareness around the hardships facing the charter bus and related sectors.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said that while easing lockdown regulations for certain sectors would help businesses, it must be done under strict health conditions.
The provincial Treasury Department head David Savage said of the over 200,000 job losses predicted, several came from the tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said if businesses do not open before September, over 500,000 people could lose their jobs.
All restaurants, including shisanyamas, have been forced to close their doors since the lockdown began last month, putting thousands of jobs and livelihoods at risk.
Companies will have to show their businesses have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.