Our properties are ready to open. We will be using a phased approach focusing on the safe return of our domestic market in the first phase followed by the return of the international market.
While we have seen the successful reopening of business travel under level 3, we are now preparing for an equally successful reopening of domestic leisure travel. Our properties are taking every necessary precaution to allow for reopening, as being lobbied by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
Though there has been wide speculation regarding the timelines of the return of inbound international travel, the industry has lobbied for a phased approach to allow for the return of international guests as soon as 1 September 2020. Stringent health and safety protocols are being put in place and will be followed to allow for the safe return of both domestic and international guests.
“South Africa was chosen as the most popular post-COVID destination in a recent survey carried out by European-based booking company, Tourlane”, says Cindy Sheedy Walker, CEO of Extraordinary Sales and Marketing.
Although parts of the travel and tourism sector have been earmarked for return in Levels 2 and 1, depending on their risk profile and the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa, we have already seen the inclusion of business travel in Level 3 due to successful lobbying for earlier reopening of this critical sector.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of a working group engaged in collating a data-rich document with important information to assist Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA),in their endeavour to present a compelling argument for the earlier phased reopening of international tourism to South Africa as close to September 2020 as the Risk-Adjusted Strategy allows”, comments Cindy Sheedy Walker. “As an industry we are resilient and capable of unique team efforts that create great momentum such as the South Africa is Travel Ready campaign. Pretty soon a fabulous collage of travel imagery communicating this message will adorn the Gautrain walls, the facebook page and #SouthAfricaisTravelReady are going viral as further testament to the incredible passion of our travel industry.”
Extraordinary have embraced the world class travel protocols developed by the TBCSA and their stakeholders, and are prepared for the imminent arrival of what is most likely domestic guests within the next weeks followed by the phased arrival of international travellers.
These protocols are important because they will inform the extent to which and timelines for the reopening of international tourism. These are aligned with the latest World Health Organization, National Institute of Communicable Disease and Department of Health guidelines and have been approved by the Department of Tourism. South Africa’s approach to managing the spread of the pandemic has also been widely praised throughout the world.
Inbound tourism employs over 375,000 people in South Africa and contributes 8.7% of our exports. It is estimated that over 40,000 jobs have already been lost within the tourism sector, and it is critical to preserve those left.
Extraordinary presents a distinctive collection of luxury lodges and hotels in Southern Africa. These destinations include a wide range from Cape Town to private concessions in the Kruger National Park through to the North West and Limpopo safari areas. Extraordinary boasts an impressive client base that extends beyond South Africa into Zimbabwe.
For more information on Extraordinary, contact Ms. Cindy Sheedy Walker, CEO. +27 82 779 4479, email cindy@extraordinary.co.za
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