(4 minutes read)
- Scenes of rioting foretell that tourism industry in South Africa may take time to bounce back
- At a time the country’s tourism sector was limping back to normalcy after Covid-19 pandemic, the recent riots have destabilized the somewhat speedy recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector in the country, further damaging the ailing sector
- A number of luxury hotels have reported heavy cancellation of rooms
Scenes of rioting foretell that tourism industry in South Africa may take time to bounce back. At a time the country’s tourism sector was limping back to normalcy after Covid-19 pandemic, the recent riots have destabilized the somewhat speedy recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector in the country, further damaging the ailing sector.
A number of luxury hotels have reported heavy cancellation of rooms. This is the time tourists from all over the world flock to South Africa to laze around on poolside loungers overlooking the rolling plains in tourist spots like the Nambiti Game Reserve, hoping to catch a glimpse of lions, elephants or rhinoceroses.
Tourism industry insiders opine that cancellation of bookings was mainly due to violence and other types of atrocities. Tourists from neighboring countries, who always used to visit South Africa at this point of time, were disheartened by blockade at the national access roads. Tourism in South Africa accounted for 7% of GDP and employed 760,000 people in 2019, according to official figures. The other deterrent to tourism was the recent restrictions including ban on the sale of alcohol throughout the country. That was a dampener for many tourists, who would have a drink or two of their favorite brands while picnicking.
There are people who believe that the current stage will be over soon. Once streets become normal, fear of Covid-19 evaporates into thin blue, people may bounce back, ringing good times to the tourism industry, Till that time, it would be a rough ride for the industry, which is also a source of livelihood for multitudes.
