Bojanala Magazine December 2020

EDITION

DECEMBER 2020

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INSIDE THIS EDITION

 

2020 A Tough Year for Tourism Safety First for the Events Industry

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The Evolving Nature of Tourism: Innovation and Flexibility are Key in Rebuilding

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South African National Parks Week

PUBLISHER

Department of Tourism

EDITOR

Blessing Manale

EDITORIAL TEAM Seapei Lebele Johannes Mokou Natasha Rockman Annah Mashile

CONTRIBUTORS

Tourism Update Adele Mackenzie Erin Cusack Denise Slabbert Gabriella Brondani Rego David Frost Otto de Vries Boitumelo Masihleho Johannes Mokou Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa Debbie Hathway Lizzy Suping

DESIGN, LAYOUT AND PRINTING Spot the Print

DISCLAIMER

While every reasonable effort is made to maintain current and accurate information in this publication, the Department of Tourism accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this magazine. The use of the content of this magazine is at the user’s own risk. The user assumes full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the use of the content of this magazine. The Department of Tourism or any of the legal entities in respect of which information are contained in this publication, or employees of the Department of Tourism or such entity, will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages or any other damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, statute, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), or otherwise, relating to the use of this magazine or information.

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December 2020

Contents Page 10 Editorial Note 03

2020 A Tough Year For Tourism 06

Water Safety During Holiday Season 08

Eco-Tourism - The Way Forward? 11

Page 30

Fighting Back 12

Innovation And Diversity Drive Township Tourism 15

Investment Drive 16

Mice Growth Potential For Small Sa Towns 18

Safety First For The Events Industry 14

New Dawn For The Tourism Sector 20

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Editorial Note olidays are upon us and there is no deny that this the moment we have all been waiting for. This is the only moment we all look up to when the year begins. It is a moment wherein we look back at the resolutions we have set in the beginning of the year and whether these have been achieved.

Above all, this is the moment to slow down a little and catch some breath, while enjoying some quality time with our loved ones.

While this so, this is also a moment in which to take it easy and relax. While it is all well and good to travel to meet friend and families, we should also take cognisance of the fact that this is also moment where many bad things happen.

So, it is important to note that safety is an issue that should come to mind, especially when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes. As we all prepare for the hustle and bustle, we need to take some basic precautions to ensure our families remain safe and injury-free throughout the holiday season.

Many people choose to travel by car during the holidays, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger kilometre. Studies have confirmed in many instances that many people die between Christmas and New Year's Day. This is exacerbated by the high consumption of alcohol during this period as people want to have fun with families and friends. So please steer clear of the bottle if you are going to be driving.

There are many other safety issues which should be taken into considerations during this time of the year.

Some amongst many include, criminal activities where criminals go all out to catch a jackpot. So we need to ensure that vigilant at all times. Some safety issues revolve around swimming, especially after high alcohol intake.

At the top of all these safety issues we need to remember that this festive season is not the same as others.

Therefore, celebrations should be held responsibly in line with Covid-19 regulations.

A lot has been said about safety measures which must be taken to account in order to mitigate against this pandemic. The mandatory wearing of mask in public spaces, keeping of social distancing as well as regular washing of hands are amongst key messages which should always be borne in mind.

These messages and many others from the sector are been conveyed throughout this bumper edition of Bojanala.

Messages of hope from industry players as well as how the pandemic affected the industry form part of many others found in this edition.

Read about the Minister’s domestic tourism activations, which saw her visit provinces such as Free State, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga. You will also ready about the visits by Deputy Minister in the Free State, Eastern Cape as well and the Northern.

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Holidays The edition also carries a number of voices from industry players, which range from how the industry is fighting back from the pandemic as well as the good work done by the incubators, albeit under tough circumstance brought by the pandemic.

You will also learn about the importance of research in tourism growth.

Also read about the importance of tourism partnerships in bringing back some of the jobs lost during the pandemic and how new jobs can be created going forward.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and Enjoy the Read.

Blessing Manale: Editor

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2020

A Tough Year For Tourism T he year 2020, has been a very difficult year for the World, South Africa and the tourism sector due to COVID-19. Infection rates continue to rise at an alarming rate. Families lost their loved ones, individuals suffered from anxiety during the lockdown restrictions and most businesses had either closed or on the verge of total collapse. More than two million working South Africans lost their jobs and the economy shrunk by about 51% in the first quarter of the financial year due to lockdown restrictions.

The tourism ecosystem was brought to a standstill, as there was no demand for the supply of tourism products.

International and provincial borders were closed. MICE events went into a coma and mega events became less popular. Tourism businesses that used to be lively with tourist activity were empty.

Before COVIID-19, South’s Africa tourism sector predicted an increase of 8.7% in international arrivals and the revenue of both international and domestic was estimated to about R273 billion. However due to this pandemic, the sector lost billions in revenue.

As at June 2020, the sector lost R68 billion in revenue and more than 600 000 tourism employees applied for relief from the Unemployed Insurance Fund.

The latest positive outlook for tourism in 2020 was between January and February. The sector recorded a 2.3% increase in arrivals in January and 0.5 % increase in February as compared to the same period last year. The year 2020, was meant to focus on growing tourism’s contribution to the economy and achieve the 2030 targets as set by the President during the State of the Nation Address in February, which was to increase international arrivals

to 21 million. During the first months of lockdown, qualifying tourism businesses that were in distress received assistance through the Tourism Relief Fund. They were able to pay their overheads to keep afloat.

Despite turbulent times, August month saw the reopening of some tourism activity. Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane made public a three-pronged Tourism Recovery plan.

The focus of the recovery plan was to reignite demand, rejuvenate supply and strengthen enabling capacity for tourism products while investing in domestic tourism.

Domestic tourism is the pillar of any tourism industry. Of the 28.2 million overnight trips recorded in 2018, 17.7 million were domestic trips and the domestic tourist spend amounted to R26.4 billion. On average, domestic trips lasted about three to four nights.

Most of the trips were mainly for leisure, shopping and Visiting Family and Friends (VFR).

Tourism’s biggest challenge in the recovery process is that revenue from key source markets will be affected because some of these key source markets form part of high-risk countries as named by the Department of Home Affairs.

They include the UK, USA, and India amongst others.

While tourism is known to rejuvenate the economy, it is also associated with spreading diseases and or viruses hence the sector suffers more during pandemics. Scientists have also indicated that the world has experienced major epidemics in the past but none of them had similar implications for the economy as COVID-19. With no vaccine in place, the containment of this pandemic

is of utmost priority as the world continue to face unprece dented health emergencies. Every country has to ensure that there is a balance between the health of its citizenry and economic recovery.

While it has been tough, the sector has to soldier on. The tourism peak and festive season could not have time at the right time for an avid traveler to play their part in contributing towards economic recovery. Travelling enthusiasts will leave the comfort of their homes, venture out into nature, and explore our country’s beauty.

Destination South Africa is amongst the most beautiful countries in the world. Her strength lies in her natural beauty, the diversity of her people, her rich history and culture and pleasant weather.

While tip- toeing into nature and creating good memories that no amount can buy, one must always observe all health protocols related to COVID-19.

Travelling is not just a mere form of recreation but an opportunity for self-expression and self-actualisation.

It also revitalises one’s body and mind and heals the hearts and souls while restoring livelihoods, following periods of self-isolation and the loss of family members.

This pandemic has given the tourism sector an opportunity to introspect and create a new normal. All roleplayers will have to ensure that the sector is able to instill confidence that South Africa is indeed safe and attractive.

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Water safety during holiday season W hile everyone flocks to the beaches during the holiday season, water safety remains an important aspect in preventing beach fatalities. In giving expression to its mandate of responsible tourism, the Department of Tourism will sponsor the Water Safety Campaign of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

In recognition of this life saving intervention, the Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSRI. Through this campaign, the NSRI will place pink rescue buoys at selected beaches along the coastline as well as at some inland dams and rivers – particularly those that have been identified as drowning hotspots.

The NSRI is run by over 1 000 highlyskilled, unpaid volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year, while donations and sponsorships covers their annual running costs. Their goal is to prevent drowning through education, preventative measures and through reactive rescue.

According to statistics, approximately 2000 people die from drowning every year in South Africa – that is over five drowning deaths per day. . Sea Rescue

is a reactive service that responds to people in trouble – those who are at risk of death by drowning. They note than even children who can swim, can drown. There is therefore a very real need for public education regarding water safety. NSRI CEO, Dr Cleeve Robertson says: “It’s often the simple things that save lives. In this case, the simple act of placing a pink rescue buoy in proximity to water risk, can make all the difference.

There are 36 coastal and five inland rescue bases, a fleet of 96 rescue craft, 32 vehicles and the NRSI has access to a range of helicopters. They also enjoy a good working relationship with other emergency services and believe that it is through team effort that lives are saved. Over 750 pink rescue buoys have been installed and 52 lives saved since 2017.

The NSRI has also converted containers into professional lifeguard towers. These portable towers can be moved to sites where drowning is more likely and can be moved off site out of season.

The Water Safety Campaign for the festive season will run during the month of December 2020 as part of the extended of the Tourism Month programme.

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Minister Kubayi-Ngubane re-ignites domestic tourism in Limpopo

Minister enjoys fishing during the activation.

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ourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has embarked on the third domestic travel activation campaign in the Limpopo province from the 22nd to 23rd October 2020. She visited Lephalale and Bela-Bela for the third leg of the ongoing outreach, to re-ignite domestic tourism and encourage South Africans to travel and explore the country.

The campaign sought to showcase a variety of products available to travellers under COVID-19 protocols and to position South Africa as a destination of choice. The Minister interacted with various stakeholders and visited tourism facilities and products.

“Our government’s focus is now firmly on getting South Africans to travel and explore their country so that tourism businesses and jobs can be recovered after the devastating impact of the pandemic. So far, South Africans have responded positively to the message as they take their families and friends to visit various tourism attractions across the country.

“This bodes well for the sector’s revival and we call on all patriotic South Africans to work with us as we build our economy,” the Minister said during the walkabout with the media.

The Minister expressed hope that

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South African borders would be opened to all countries before the December holidays. In tracking progress around this, she said the government was assessing countries which were banned to travel to South Africa with regards to COVID-19 cases.

Though the facility is situated in the bush, COVID-19 has hit Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa in Limpopo and the pandemic is a stark reminder of the crisis the world is facing at the moment. However, the facility has managed to keep its staff intact, with no one having lost their jobs.

Kubayi-Ngubane acknowledged that South Africa needed revenue from international travel to boost the economy, but the country could not afford a second wave of coronavirus infections.

“The tourism sector would lose a lot of jobs and a lot more businesses would go under. We do believe that we have a second chance to try and recover and anything that can happen can literally take us backwards”, said the Minister.

The minister urged South Africans to continue to be vigilant and practice social distasting, amongst other measures, which include the mandatory wearing of masks.

Minister Kubayi-Ngubane said the

concerns remained about the impact of the international ban on some European countries due to COVID-19.

This is made a little more difficult as several European countries are currently battling a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections. As a result, there are still 22 countries which are not yet allowed into South Africa due to their rising COVID-19 cases. Because of this, the sector has now focussed its attention on locals for an economic boost. This is why the Department has sought to embark on this vigorous domestic campaigns.

“With the uncertainty of their own borders, it is worrying. We are watching closely at what happens there because from our side we are making progress for a number of countries to be able to come but we are worried about us opening 100% you win that battle at opening 100%, only to find that other countries are closing,” she said.

The Minister was accompanied by the MEC for Limpopo’s Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, as well as various other key individuals in the province. The provincial tour saw the delegation visiting, Bela Bela Forever Resort, Meloding Guest House, Lerato’ Kasi Pub and Grill as well as Euphoria Game Lodge.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Fish Mahlalela, visit the Thabo Mofutsanyana District

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eputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Fish Mahlalela, visited the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in the Free State Province from the 15th to 16th October 2020, and engaged with various spheres of government. The sectors included SMMEs. The main objective of the visit was to champion the recovery of tourism in general, and the activation of rural tourism, in particular in that District.

Deputy Minister’s visit to the District Municipality is spurred by a commitment made by the Department on World Tourism Day (27 September 2020) to leverage, amongst others, on its Rural Tourism Development Strategy to revive the domestic travel market.

Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela engages the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (Free State Province) to activate Rural Tourism Development and Revive Domestic Travel Market

This engagement sought to rally local government structures and SMMEs to prioritise tourism in their master plans to drive the development of sustainable tourism economies in rural communities.

Deputy Minister Mahlalela engaged with provincial and municipal government officials, along with the tourism trade (local business/ product owners) on the sector’s recovery plan. He further took time to inspect progress on a Destination Development project built by the Department of Tourism at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. He also visited the Basotho Cultural Village.

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Eco-tourism - the way forward?

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n the wake of COVID-19 and the sudden hiatus in all travel, industry insiders believe that travellers may be seeking out more environmentally conscious tourism products and looking to travel less frequently.

“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020, the luxury travel industry was starting to see an increased desire for purposeful travel experiences that contributed to the wellbeing of our planet and its people. However, prior to the global travel bans, the rate that people from around the world were travelling was unsustainable,” said CEO of Ker & Downey Africa, Lee Kelsall.

He said an unintentional result of the global travel restrictions was an environmental recovery. “I believe that the unpolluted blue skies, lack of crowds and the re-emergence of wildlife in certain unexpected places are likely to have struck a chord with many. This could be a defining moment for travel companies advocating a more considered approach to long-haul travel”, assed 2 Kelsall.

Others agreed that while the trend had begun prior to the pandemic, consumers in a post-COVID world would be even more environmentally conscious.

“The post-COVID traveller will continue to appreciate and support ecotourism. The environment is at the forefront of most people’s minds,

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particularly in a world that has faced all the adversity of 2020,” said Regional Director of Minor Hotels, Mark Havercroft.

“It actually has been a priority and a programme inclusion for our MICE and leisure travellers for a while, but I believe will be vital going forward,” said VP of Sales and Marketing at Dragonfly Africa, Yolanda Woeke.

CEO of BON Hotels, Guy Stehlik, told Tourism Update that his company had noticed the trend, particularly among millennials and the younger generation.

Counter-intuitively, should this generation of eco-conscious travellers become too discerning about their destinations, they may be taking funding away from important conservation and environmental projects funded by tourism activities, according to Kelsall.

“The downturns in tourism revenue as well as donations in 2020 have posed a range of threats for the ongoing work that needs to be done to ensure the safety of Africa’s endangered wildlife and people. Reactivating travel to remote corners of Africa is therefore crucial,” said Kelsall. “Our hope is that travellers will seek more purposeful travel experiences and support environmentally conscious hotels and lodges that provide revenue for muchneeded cultural and environmental preservation.”

Adrian Gardiner, Chairman of eco-hotel group, Mantis, agreed with Kelsall. “Mantis foresees the emergence of a new type of travel, driven by a unique new class of travellers. Those who care more deeply about the planet, and understand the importance of time well spent.

We foresee more families travelling together for longer, and less frequent holidays.”

Fighting back:

By Mark Havercroft

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he hospitality and tourism industry in sub-Saharan Africa must adopt a new ‘adapt and innovate’ modus operandi to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic if it is to help prevent further contraction of severely impacted economies in the region.

While the opening of international borders by several African countries is extremely positive news for ailing travel and hospitality sectors in sub-Saharan Africa – and for economies as a whole – this may not, by itself, be sufficient to resuscitate the industry in the wake of the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Not only are many of the international tourists, on whom operators are relying to return quickly, still locked down in their own countries, but even if they’re not, there are still very high levels of insecurity among travellers who aren’t sure whether they are prepared to get back out there into the world just yet.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that the country’s borders would be re-opened for international travel on October 1st , joining other African countries that had begun re-opening airports, removing curfews and slowly resuming international tourism. These include Namibia, the DRC, Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Liberia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone and São Tomé.

The industry as a whole faces a continuing uphill battle. Earlier this month the US government warned its citizens against international travel due to the risks associated with the potential spread of the virus. A recent study by the World Economic Forum also suggested that business travel was far

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How will we win the war against COVID-19? more likely to survive the pandemic than international leisure travel. The forum predicted that international travel would rebound only much later, owing to the uncertainties related to health and safety concerns. In short, the industry can expect to rely heavily on domestic leisure travel markets for the immediate future.

The important question now is how to optimally leverage the domestic leisure and business travel markets while continuing to encourage the international market to confidently travel to Africa? This requires a dual approach from the industry that relies on offering the essential assurances around health and safety for all travellers, while also creating reasonably priced, market-related packages that prove too alluring for the domestic market to ignore.

So how can this be achieved?

Firstly, it is important for the industry to collaborate with governments in the region to facilitate a marketing strategy that will ensure the worldwide dissemination of information about how African countries are managing to control the pandemic, including statistical proof in order to build confidence.

The 2019 hospitality report by Jumia identifies the tourism and hospitality sector as one of the key growth drivers of the regional economy, contributing 8.5% (or US$194.2bn) to Africa’s GDP in 2018 and placing the continent as the second-fastest growing tourism region in the world – with an annual growth rate of 5.6%. Leisure remains an important component of the tourism industry, comprising 71% of all tourism-related expenditure in the region, with business travel accounting for the other 29%.

The African Union has said that the region lost $55bn in travel and tourism revenue in the first three months of the region-wide lockdowns, with devastating knock-on effects,

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considering the industry contributes significantly to the regional economy.

This points to the urgency of reactivating the sector if we are to save ailing economies across the region.

We know it will take time for the industry to get back into full swing, so we need to innovate in every way possible in the meantime in order to shorten that lead-in time.

For example, the hospitality industry has for many years prided itself on the safety and hygiene measures it applies to keep guests safe and comfortable.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath will demand so much more, and establishments will have to go above and beyond in demonstrating – and applying – both existing and more stringent safety measures.

For the industry, our value propositions can no longer focus only on getaways, experiences and cuisine (whether it be luxury and otherwise).

That will continue to be a focus, of course, but along with how associated air travel is managed in the safest possible way. Safety-first is top priority.

According to research by McKinsey, it will take at least three years for the industry to reach full recovery.

In the meantime, to maximise on the reduced number of tourists, the industry will need to create completely new options too, including those specifically designed to encourage longer hotel stays by both the international and domestic travel markets.

This is not the time to continue doing things like they have always been done. Innovate and adapt must be our watchwords within our ‘new normal’ if we are to not only re-ignite the industry, but see it grow from strength to strength in line with the pre-COVID-19 forecasting.

Incubator programme yields fruitful results in Upington D epartment of Tourism’s revised National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) 2016-2026 aimed at ensuring the sustainable growth and development of the of the industry has facilitated the provision of small businesses support interventions through the department’s Incubation Programme.

As part of the greater objective of the NTTS 2016 -2026 the Incubation Programme has enabled enterprises to obtain all its business support services offered by the department.

The tourism business incubators programme created a channel through which economic inclusion is achieved by creating viable tourism businesses that creates sustainable jobs contributes to economic development in the identified communities.

Given the tourism sector’s significance as a contributor to the economy and its dependence on inputs from multiple sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, one of the small business sectors which must grow is arts and craft and township tourism.

There were positive outcomes in Upington, as demonstrated by Tourism Operator, Mr Johannes Springbok, who has been in the tourism industry for five years. He started as a volunteer at Department of Environmental Affairs assisting to clean the streets and tourism attractions.

He later identified a gap in his community where there was a lack of township tourism promotion, and he started a company, Siyanda Tours. “I grew up in Upington and who knows its history better than me? I therefore would like to see community-based

tourism grow.” said Mr Springbok.

Through the Incubation Programme, Mr Springbok who works from home, was able to attend training in service excellence. He was assisted with the development of a website, designating and printing of brochures, business cards, roller banners and branded water bottles for tourists. However, Mr Springbok has to outsource all his services and it is unfortunate that he was unable to receive the recovery fund as he wishes to have his own transport for tourists.

According to the Bureau of Economic Research, in 2015, a Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) survey which was conducted in the same year, it reflected that there was poor access to the market by SMME’s. There was also lack of access to information, regulatory non-compliance, nonviable business operations and inefficient government bureaucracy in South Africa. On the basis of this research, the Department has established programmes to assist small businesses to remain sustainable.

Touring the streets of Upington, one can visit Sne and Busi’s Ceramics, which was established in 2016 in an Arts and Crafts skills centre. This is an internationally-accredited brand that specialises in 100% handmade products of high quality for indoor and outdoor use. It is one of the Department of Tourism’s Incubation Programmes which provides work of high quality which can be utilized in different manners and events.

They are frequent national and international exhibitors at the Dubai Hotel Show and would like to one day exhibit at the Tourism Indaba in Durban.

Sne and Busi would appreciate it if security services could be rendered at their facilities because most of their valuable material and equipment was stolen during the COVID -19 lockdown. Some of the services they require is silver funding to be able to design and manufacture more jewellery, gem stone cutting and polishing and glass beads and pottery.

The only shisanyama in Upington, which attracts mostly international tourists, is in Paballelo Township.

It is owned by one of the women in tourism, Ms Johanna Meyers. It is called TJ Hot Food Café. “I really appreciate the COVID-19 tourism relief funds, I managed to replace some of the stolen office equipment and also paid salaries to my employees.” said Ms Meyers.

Most of the recipients have received adequate training in their line of tourism businesses and support in terms of mentoring, website creation, business cards and marketing. They however still need assistance with security, office equipment, signage, speed pay points and funding to be able to maintain sustain and grow their businesses, to keep attracting tourists to South Africa again.

The Department would like to see SMMEs delivering an excellent service to make visitors and their local customers happy as service excellence is key in the tourism sector. Poverty, and unemployment affects everyone, therefore opportunities offered by the Department, are focused on job creation and sustainability to make businesses to grow and to create jobs.

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Innovation and diversity

drive township tourism

By Erin Cusack

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s South Africa focuses on developing its rural and township tourism offerings, there are new and innovative ideas being implemented in Soweto.

Driving inclusivity in the tourism industry as it recovers is imperative to SA Tourism, said the organisation’s CEO, Sisa Ntshona. “We really want to shine a spotlight on the rural side, the townships and urban areas as we increase and develop our product offerings.”

During a webinar hosted by Johannesburg in Your Pocket, delegates highlighted the diversification and development of Soweto’s tourism products.

Soweto based entrepreneurs have been developing new and exciting products that also address the township’s issues.

For example, GM of Soweto Theatre, Nomsa Mazwai, has founded #FunkItImWalking, which focuses on walking safely through Soweto as a socio-economic development.

There is a dense population right next to the theatre but, despite that, it was struggling with audience numbers.

The reason, said Mazwai, was because

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people cannot walk in Soweto.

Each month #FunkItImWalking chooses a five-km route with points of interest along the way.

Joining the walks is free and there is a visible police presence on the routes, according to Mazwai.

“We do encourage the walkers to spend their money at the shops or restaurants. Last time we ended the walk at Native Rebels restaurant and all 40 people stayed and had dinner,” she said, emphasising the potential value of tourists being able to walk safely.Founder of Africa Bird Tours, Raymond Rampolokeng, is introducing birding tours in the township. Stepping away from the urban side of the destination, his offerings diversify Soweto’s overall appeal.

Passionate about environmental education and birding, Rampolokeng took on the challenge of finding a way to make conservation attractive.

In 2010, during the FIFA World Cup, he started birding tours in Soweto.

He has identified unique sites where tourists can have an unexpected birding experience while also supporting ongoing conservation activities in the area.

Rick Taylor, CEO of the business tourism company.

Investment Drive

Africa’s travel and tourism value chain

By Emily Djock

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hile Africa’s travel and tourism sector was full of opportunities and hope pre-COVID-19, the continent took a serious knock from the pandemic. But the pandemic and its many cascading impacts needn’t define the economic trajectory of the continent.

Referring to this year as a ‘hiatus’, Rick Taylor, CEO of The Business Tourism Company, believes that, through thoughtful investment, Africa is still on course to deliver on the Agenda 2063 vision for ‘An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena’.

To discuss why and how investing in Africa’s tourism value chain now will help to right this course and revive African economies, Taylor was recently joined by a panel of leading experts in one of Africa Travel Week’s recent virtual sessions in partnership with Invest Africa.

Public-private partnerships While the fiscal position of African nations varies greatly across the continent, most governments have provided critical support to their people during this time by increasing social spending (e.g. grants, unemployment, subsidised lending, latent tax collection and, in some cases, tax cuts).

However, by and large, there is little fiscal capacity to oversee investmentdriven recovery in Africa. This makes the role of the private sector, and its participation in investment, ever more important.

Elcia Grandcourt, Regional Director: Africa Department at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), emphasises tourism’s interconnectedness and the need for collaboration between private and

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public stakeholders across sectors – from aviation to environment to immigration.

“Central to unlocking the potential of tourism in Africa is the joining of hands of partners that share a fundamental confidence in and commitment to tourism on the continent,” she says.

Air access and infrastructure initiatives in particular, call for strong public-private partnerships.

Private participation in these type of large, ‘real asset’ investments can significantly change the economic landscape of a country and have long-term impact on the tourism sector. In this regard, Ethiopian Airlines is the national flag carrier to watch.

Already Africa’s largest airline by any measure, and it is firmly outpacing regional competitors in revenue, passengers, fleet and destinations.

In 2018, the Ethiopian government announced plans to cede a minority stake in the airline to private, foreign investors, along with liberalising several other economic sectors.

This policy shift, brought about an enabling environment to sustain economic growth and boost exports, is certain to strengthen Addis Ababa as a regional hub for tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).

The rise of MICE The MICE industry, already well developed in South Africa, is beginning to mushroom in the rest of the continent. MICE and corporate travel in Africa encourages knowledge exchange and enhances skills development – often having a reciprocal effect on stimulating foreign investment.

Taylor speaks of East Africa as the next market-ready region for MICE. Convention centres in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are being refurbished, while new ones

are being built. And in 2018, Kigali was ranked the #2 city in Africa by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the global meetings industry network.

As these countries and others across Africa begin to formalise their MICE strategies and scale up their national convention bureaus, investment opportunities abound. As Taylor puts it, development of the MICE sector can fire up the economic piston to help drive Africa out of COVID-19 and beyond.

Moving sustainable tourism from niche to norm 2020 has sparked new dialogue about transformation – in many institutions, corporations, and society at large.

Tourism has likewise felt the weight of this introspection, with some tourism industries regarding this year’s crisis as an opportunity to recalibrate with greater intentionality. It is an opportunity to move sustainable tourism from niche to norm.

As an industry, tourism must look at the flow of money and who is benefitting along the value chain – rural communities, women, SMMEs, multinational chains. Each can play a role in helping tourism to contribute to the sustainable development goals.

“Private participation in these types of large, ‘real asset’ investments can significantly change the economic landscape of a country and have long-term impacts on the tourism sector.”

MICE growth potential for small SA towns

Clarens is a small town in the Free State province.

By Erin Cusack

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he COVID-19 pandemic is an opportune moment for small towns across South Africa to develop their business tourism offerings.

This is according to MD of The MICE Academy, Helen Brewer, who says that there was a huge potential for developing business tourism in South Africa’s smaller and more rural towns, in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) theme for 2020: ‘Tourism and Rural Development’.

The ability for smaller-scale destinations to develop a completely contained MICE offering with no contact outside the travelling group, could be an important selling point, said Brewer. “People would all come into town together and stay at their accommodations or event venues and leave together, rather than external people coming and going constantly.

This is complementary to COVID health and safety protocols compared

with being in a big city such as Johannesburg.”

Brewer said she had been thinking about this concept for a while, and had identified the corporate market as the ideal consumer for the small town offerings. “The corporate market tends to have lower guest numbers but more events throughout the year,” she said.

“This won’t be an overnight fix, especially at the moment,” she warned.

“It needs to be developed properly.”

She said for any MICE development to be successful, the entire package needed to be co-ordinated by the town’s local tourism authority. “There will have to be an audit process of each town to see if their offerings are conducive to hosting business tourists,” she said.

The audit would consist of an evaluation of the town’s external factors, including access to emergency services and Internet connectivity,

as well as an internal audit of accommodations, venue spaces and places of interest.

“There will need to be a co-ordinator who organises between the hotels and B&Bs and is able to present all the elements as a package,” said Brewer, cautioning that organisers needed to steer away from promoting one hotel or event space and rather promote the whole destination.

She said while not all towns would be suited to offer such packages, the potential to develop the industry for smaller towns was great. “They would be able to measure the economic benefits, should this be done properly.”

In a new venture, to help developing destinations, The MICE Academy had started to offer a service where it carried out the audit of the town and helped to assemble the overall proposal, said Brewer, emphasising her belief in the success of the idea.

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Safety first for the events industry A

artists, resulting in a back-step in the regulations and possible risk liability and reputational risk to those involved.

While not ideal for the re-opening of the industry, this adjustment has at least allowed for smaller events to start operating, albeit not yet at a financially viable level. The events industry is prepared for much larger event capacities limited by floor space rather than a specific number. We anticipate this step to be imminent as the risk of spread diminishes and we learn what protocols we need to have in place to limit the spread at organised gatherings.

The guidelines are simple, easily understood and accessible but thorough to ensure enhanced mechanisms are adopted to provide a safe environment and demonstrate a duty of care. Taking into account every step of the event process and mitigating exposure at each juncture, they can be applied universally using the World Health Organisation’s five-tier risk-level categorisation scale varying from very low risk to very high risk. Of course, at the same time, we need to take into consideration the many differences in event types and audience capacities as well. For event planners, this is simply an extension of the complex set of logistics at play at every event on any given day.

s we enter Alert Level 1 in South Africa, the relaxation of regulations around capacity at events, has allowed for a 50% venue capacity capped at 250 indoors and 500 attendees outdoors.

As event specialists, our priority is, as always, focused on the safety of our performers, attendees and practitioners. COVID-19 has posed a new and unforeseen risk to our industry. In June, SACIA’s Event Safety Council, together with the SA Events Council, developed and published a comprehensive set of Event ReOpening Guidelines, outlining the steps that one can take to enable the safe re-opening of events and we are working hard to ensure that the confidence and trust in our ability to keep our events safe, grows quickly.

The last thing we want as we begin this process, is for there to be events that do not adhere to the safe protocols outlined in the guidelines, which pose a risk to attendees and

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Building confidence and trust The importance of communication throughout has also proved to be an important factor in building confidence amongst attendees.

We cannot ignore the strong psychological impact of attending an event in the current climate.

For many, the initial gatherings with more people than they have been accustomed to after so many months, is a big step and one that is accompanied by trepidation and even fear. Building trust and confidence to attend, is therefore paramount.

When attendees know what to

By Mike Lord

expect before they even arrive on site and what measures are being undertaken, the stress factor decreases exponentially.

Many venues, corporates and caterers have their own sets of safety practices and this is sometimes a stumbling block to align thinking across the sector regionally and nationally.

Communication is key We urge all events organisers to communicate and apply the Event ReOpening Guidelines as a foundation standard on every event planned.

If necessary, additional venue/ corporate-specific protocols can easily be overlaid to satisfy compliance for all stakeholders, especially meeting the requirements of corporate SA and the sponsors involved, thus ensuring the event-specific COVID-19 management plan lays the foundation for a safe event. It is up to each and every meetings planner, event organiser, and promoter or production house to self-regulate using these basic safety protocols in the same way as we have always done for non-COVID-19-related event safety practices.

Event safety experts have devised what we believe to be the safest way to reopen the events industry and it is up to us to set the benchmark and make sure that the South African events industry continues to deliver the world-class service and safety levels that we are known for globally.

NEW DAWN FOR TOURISM SECTOR

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ourism is on the threshold of a new phase of growth following the disastrous lockdown regimen all over the world. But the recovery may not lie in airflights, hotels and big cities but in exploration, in experiences rather than iconic destinations, and exposure to indigenous heritages and people.

In South Africa, some one hundred and fifty small business entities are being mentored to stake their claims as providers of great holiday experiences in more remote areas of our country. In its National Tourism Sector Strategy, government adopted an incubation approach to enterprise development in the sector and outsourced the management of three incubators to Sigma International. These are in Phalaborwa, Bushbuckridge and Upington, centres of regions in the country which not only have experiential treasures unexplored by many tourists but are also within easy distance of some of our largest wildlife reserves. For local people wishing to shake off the claustrophobia of lockdown, here are great opportunities to do so, and at affordable prices virtually on the doorstep.

The SAB Foundation has pledged its support to the programme by guaranteeing to make its highly rated Tholoana Mentorship Programme accessible to at least one incubatee from these three regional incubators.

Others may qualify but would have to compete with about two thousand applicants, such is the annual demand for entry to this programme. This advanced individual mentorship is valued at approximately five hundred thousand Rand each. In investing in entrepreneurs, especially women, youth, those with disabilities and those in rural areas, The SAB Tholoana Enterprise Programme assists sixtyodd selected entrepreneurs each year with two years of business mentorship, seed-funding and access to markets. In

addition, to this prestigious business scholarship for one Incubatee, SAB Foundation has committed three five-day entrepreneurship courses, targeting the unemployed youth in each of the areas surrounding the incubators. This high impact job creation initiative is implemented by SAB Foundation partner, Socionext, and will augment the work of each of the tourism business incubators.

The support of the tourism initiative could not have come at a better time for business ventures anxious to put their knowledge, gained even during lockdown, to good use in this period of revival. The incubatees, including entrepreneurs offering accommodation, tours, local food and all sorts of arts and craft products, are learning better tourism business practices to prepare themselves for this ‘new normal’.

The importance to the national economy of tourism cannot be sufficiently stressed. The World Tourism Organisation says that one in every eleven jobs globally is in tourism while each of these generates another one and a half jobs indirectly. Better still, tourism is labour intensive and provides great opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

In a very important way, the incubation initiative is characterised by partnerships: private sector, local government and tourism agencies are working together under the auspices of the Department of Tourism to nurture what are green shoots after the landscape has been ravaged by fire. There is a challenge to the people of South Africa to explore their country, to find new experiences in rural areas and to discover people who are beyond their normal horizons. In doing this, they will be contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation.

Issued by Sigma International (in consultation with The Department of Tourism and SAB Foundation)

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The evolving nature of tourism: innovation and flexibility are key in rebuilding

By Velma Corcoran ensure that businesses, and ultimately the economy, survived. This just proves that we can adjust our way of thinking. We don’t have to stick to outdated, rigid processes. Things like flexi-time, remote working, and video conferencing have been embraced as the new normal.

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he global tourism industry has been set back by 20 years according to the World Economic Forum. COVID-19 has placed “up to 120 million tourism jobs at risk, with the economic damage likely to exceed US$1 trillion in 2020 alone”.

It will be a long road to recovery but, in addressing the current challenges, there are opportunities to remedy issues that existed long before this pandemic.

In order to survive, people and businesses have had to continuously pivot to adapt to the ever-changing lockdown and general safety regulations - reworking business ideas and strategies, working remotely, and generally having worlds collide while juggling career, school and family life at home.

In the same way that flexibility has helped individuals navigate these times, it will also be key to recovery.

We were forced to become very adaptable in a short space of time to

And this upsurge in remote and flexible working as a result of COVID-19 has meant that people no longer have to live in cities if they can do their work from anywhere. We are likely to see more and more people move to towns and villages outside of urban centres. The desire and need to live and work anywhere, including off-the-beaten-track locations, has only grown among those who are able to do so. As the lines between travel and living change, Airbnb continues to be the platform of choice for digital nomads as working from home can become working from any home on Airbnb.

Our CEO, Brain Chesky, recently shared that we’re seeing a global increase in hosts offering longer-term and monthly stays, and more guests booking these types of stays all over the world. Today, more than six million available listings on Airbnb accept monthly stays, with more than half of them offering discounts for extended trips. Chesky noted that more than 80 percent of Airbnb hosts accepted

those stays, and the share of longerterm stay searches in August this year was almost double what it was in 2019.

Rural shifts As we have just celebrated Tourism Month - traditionally a time for fresh thinking and new ideas ‒ this is the ideal moment to make the most of this new-found flexibility as new opportunities arise as a result of this crisis. The theme this year is Tourism and Rural Development, which, when looked at under the current conditions, is particularly appropriate considering that travellers now want more isolated trips, seeking mountains, beaches and nature where they can safely social distance.

Airbnb’s international travel trends data shows that there is a definite shift away from urban destinations and toward more rural areas and smaller communities. For example, in August, more guests stayed in the Catskills and Hudson Valley than stayed in New York. To support this new trend and these rural communities, across the world, Airbnb has partnered with a range of destination marketing and other tourism organisations to highlight off-the-beaten path places as new ways of travelling – including Wesgro and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.

We are proud to work alongside these destination marketing organisations

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to promote tourism to regions that are likely to struggle to recover from the impact of COVID-19.

We know that the Airbnb model allows travellers to book entire homes where they don’t need to share a space with strangers. It also offers a diverse range of accommodation offerings in more destinations ‒ destinations that are now open to a wider group of people as South Africa moves to Level 1 of lockdown regulations. In addition to these positives for guests, in boosting domestic travel, we are directly creating an economic lifeline for many people and communities ‒ spreading the benefits of tourism from the few to the many, from cities to rural communities. Airbnb directly benefits local communities, with hosts keeping up to 97% of their earnings ‒ earnings that have been put toward university fees, bond costs, feeding families and more.

Domestic tourism - a stronger priority To be successful in gradually rebuilding our industry, we know that domestic tourism needs to become more of a priority and that visitor confidence in a destination needs to be boosted. We would also like to see laws and regulations, both at a national and municipal level, become more rationalised so that micro, small and medium businesses aren’t wound 23

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up in so much red tape that they’re unable to introduce any flexibility to their model. With the Tourism White Paper under review, there is a real chance for the industry and policymakers to come together to make sure that all accommodation providers have a clear, fair and proportionate set of rules to work from ‒ including Airbnb.

From here on out and with the welcomed recent news of an easing of restrictions and a move to Level 1 lockdown regulations, we are determined to do our part and play a positive role in recovery. As part of our strategy we are educating hosts about safety standards – from the Johannesburg CBD to the heart of the Karoo – because as we emerge from this crisis, we must do everything possible to instil confidence in travellers. We must send a loud and clear message that safety is our top priority. It is essential to back that up with visible evidence that this is our concern and responsibility. We have re-evaluated and set industryleading cleaning standards. We have also partnered with SweepSouth and Propaclean to offer advice and training for hosts. We need to strive to ensure that people feel, and are, safe enough to travel.

Empower communities The pandemic and its effect on our

income and ability to earn money will be felt for a long time to come. Overall, the inequality pendulum is likely to swing even further, so we must work to ensure that tourism recovery is inclusive. As we’ve seen, there is significant opportunity for tourism in townships and rural areas in this new reality, so we need to ensure that these communities are empowered to fully leverage this. At Airbnb, for example, we have done our utmost to support our hosts in townships and rural communities during these tough times.

During lockdown, we established the Africa Academy Fund, that saw Airbnb distribute R1 million (€51 639) to hosts who have been part of the Airbnb Africa Academy training, many of whom are from under-resourced areas.

Currently, we are also supporting our Academy hosts with carrying out the mandatory Enhanced Cleaning Protocols that have come into play for all Airbnb hosts, and we are looking to scale this up in the coming months.

COVID-19 may have given us the toughest year in travel in modern history but it has also provided us with opportunities to adapt and learn new ways of doing things. While there is still a long road ahead, it’s up to all of us to make the most of this opportunity to build a better, safer, more inclusive tourism industry.

INCUBATION ENTR

OF HO

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FFERS OPE FOR

REPRENEURS A

cross the globe, the facts show that tourism is a critical feature of economic growth. For this country, it is particularly important because it is labour intensive and a sector in which micro, small and medium business are able to fare well, provided they have the business skills to understand the market and recognise their competitive opportunities. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation says that for every direct job created in tourism, another one and a half will be created indirectly: a strong motivation for action, if ever there was one.

Especially considering the doldrums into which the sector was cast by the arrival of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures, the foresight of the national Department of Tourism to include incubation as a key strategy for the development of entrepreneurship in the sector, is highly commended. At present, some hundred and fifty small enterprises, offering accommodation, tour guiding, catering and arts and craft services are, and have been for more than six months, in incubation throughout the country. Incubators in Northern Cape (Upington), Mpumalanga (Bushbuckridge) and Limpopo (Phalaborwa) are managed

by Sigma International which knows that its efforts will have prepared many enterprises for the hard road of recovery after lockdown has been eased. As it happens, these incubators are located near to some of the best

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wildlife attractions in the country and, therefore, offer the best of two worlds for tourists: local heritages and the great African natural drawcard.

Among the most common reasons for the failure of small businesses, is the lack of financial savvy. Of course, there are others, such as market access, low insights into business practices and the mastering of cash flow. How fortunate for Sigma International and its incubatees, therefore, that a mentorship partner has come on board to provide expert guidance, not just in once-off training, but to nurture entrepreneurs through the processes of financial management. This is the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and its subsidiary entity established in 2001, the Hope Factory, which manages the Qalisa Accelerator programme for enterprise development. For four to six months, fifteen entrepreneurs in the three incubators will have the benefit of the expertise of chartered accountants, who will provide online mentorship to enable them to manage their finances in such a way that their businesses will survive, grow and become sustainable.

After this pilot phase, it is anticipated that the project may be rolled out to others who, hopefully, will have successfully negotiated a new path to post-lockdown tourism.

The cessation of international travel has dispelled a notion that tourism is only about air flights, high star-graded

hotels and big cities. Perforce, both service providers and tourists must become accustomed to tourism where exploration and experience assume greater importance in the assessment of a good holiday break. Exposure to lesser-known regions, somewhat off the beaten track, and communities of people which reveal a more intimate and enriching understanding of indigenous people and their customs and heritages, represent new horizons. The revival of the South African tourism sector will hinge on its ability to harness this more novel aspect of travel which, because of its relative affordability, should offer the domestic market, a most appropriate time to escape from the four-walled environment to which it has become accustomed over so long.

Here is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to create experiences, products and services which draw people as much for their novelty as their rich individuality. At the same time, their efforts will contribute significantly to rural and peri-urban economies, where so many people are ravaged by unemployment and poverty. We must not doubt that our economic salvation lies significantly in the tourism sector and this incubation programme.

Issued by Sigma International, in consultation with the Department of Tourism, SAICA and the Hope Factory.

TOURISM PARTNER FOR JOB CREATION A

cross the country, some one hundred and fifty SMMEs are being nurtured through the Department of Tourism’s incubation strategy, a deliberate thrust to improve the sector and open its opportunities to entrepreneurs in periurban and rural communities. Despite the destructive effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on tourism and hospitality businesses, real opportunities present themselves now as South Africans will seek ways of escaping from their enforced confinement to explore the country’s open spaces, wildlife and lesser-known destinations. In time, international tourists may also be wooed to seek experiences somewhat off the beaten track. Fortunately, the incubation strategy has been

in progress throughout lockdown, enabling the mentored entrepreneurs to implement the business skills they have learned, and which are being enhanced even further through private sector partnerships.

Sigma International, a company based in Durban and with a history of service in the tourism sector, manages three of the incubators for the Department of Tourism. These are situated in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, Phalaborwa in Limpopo and Upington in the Northern Cape. Each comprises incubatees whose tourism and hospitality services include accommodation, tours and tour guiding, catering and arts and craft sales. They all have the advantage,

though remote from the rather bland face of air travel and big city tourism, of being well-located close to other exciting tourist destinations, such as wildlife reserves. They are able to provide explorative experiences to holiday makers with the enrichment of more intimate acquaintanceships with indigenous cultures and people in their natural environments. Here local tourism business will give a vital kick to community economies, which, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, benefit to the tune of one and a half indirectly created jobs for every one offered in a tourism enterprise.

On board as a new partner, is Standard Bank. Its enterprise development

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RSHIPS products will be provided to successful applicants in the Bushbuckridge incubator as a pilot, prior to its extension into other incubators later.

Standard Bank’s assistance will be in the form of grants and soft loans to a value of R100 000 to provide entrepreneurs with the capital required to kick-start their operations and exploit the potential market which is available to those whose spirit of entrepreneurship drives them to seek opportunities rather than wait for them to knock. To date, 13 tourism incubatees have applied to Standard bank for this assistance.

This business support programme and linkage, has exposed the emergent

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businesses to this pro-active approach, which requires the support of financial savvy, sound business practices and creative product and service delivery. This takes place with the full co-operation and support of local municipalities and tourism agencies: a real compact of effort to extend economic participation to people in small towns and to promote rural and peri-urban economies.

With the world heading towards a post-COVID-19 new normal, tourism will no doubt re-establish itself as a major contributor to national economies: on average one out of every eleven jobs is in tourism.

South Africa has often been tardy

in exploiting its riches and this may be said of tourism as well. We can overcome the long-haul obstacles by providing diverse experiences of people and places. It’s not down to government to achieve this, but for many players to work together in partnership to provide the necessary entrepreneurial spirit and skill to emergent and very willing small enterprises beyond our normal horizons.

WWF and SANParks up in fundraising eff

Wilderness National Park.

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here’s still a week to go for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa and South African National Parks (SANParks)’ fundraising initiative to meet its goal of raising between R3m and R3.5m (€150 000 to €175 000).

“Our national parks are the cornerstone of protected areas in our country, which is blessed with a natural and cultural wealth almost beyond comparison. Within our national parks, we have thousands of kilometres of beaches where the waves from two oceans break, mountains and valleys, wild plains and endless grasslands populated by rich

animal and plant life,” said SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing, Hapiloe Sello.

She added that national parks were also hotspots of cultural heritage and played a major role in reviving indigenous knowledge and oral history.

Launched in September and ending on October 31, the ‘You are nature – Support it!’ campaign calls on local travellers to help protect the parks.

By making a donation of R300 (€15) individuals can contribute towards the maintenance of the more than

four million hectares (comprising 70% of the protected areas under state management) overseen by SANParks.

With each donation, individuals stand in line to win one of three prizes: First prize: An opportunity for two people to accompany the SANParks game capture team for one day as they conduct game capture operations in a South African national park.

Second prize: An opportunity for a group of four people to experience a wilderness trail in the Kruger National Park.

Third prize: Three winners will each

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s team fforts

our country’s protected areas, for our wildlife and wild spaces as well as the many people who rely on tourism for a living.”

Sello added: “Conservation is a public good that is often underfunded. Yet our protected areas play such a special part as refuge for our country’s natural assets as one of the megadiverse countries in the world, support important ecological infrastructure

receive two nights’ accommodation for two people.

SANParks is a public entity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries and employs more than 4 000 locals.

Commenting on the campaign, Justin Smith, WWF SA Head of Business Development, said: “The lockdown has reminded many of us of the true value of nature, how much we need it, and how much we crave it when we cannot access it. Now that restrictions have been relaxed, it’s more important than ever to support our world-class national parks as they are the core of

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and contribute to the national GDP, directly and indirectly.”

She said the funds raised through the campaign would be used to accelerate much-needed conservation activities and support local employment.

Rural Tourism Spotlight Deputy Minister is ready for the Imbizo.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, has embarked on a Rural Tourism Development and Domestic Tourism Campaign in and around the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, from the 23rd to -24th October 2020.

The campaign is focused on all provinces with a bias towards rural and hidden gems, which is in line with the World Tourism Day 2020. This year’s theme is; “Rural Development and Tourism.” When he launched the campaign, the Deputy Minister was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Sdumo Dlamini,

and Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Rosemary Nokuzola Capa, In his speech at the Imbizo in Coffee Bay, Deputy Minister Mahlalela expressed appreciation for response demonstrated by the country’s business owners. He said they responded well to the government’s and applied for the relief fund provided by Government in order to keep small businesses afloat.

The fund was established as an intervention to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.

The R200 million Tourism Relief Fund provides once-off capped grant assistance to Small Micro and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to ensure sustainability during and post the

implementation of government measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.

“I must hasten” , said Deputy Minister Mahlalela, “and say this amount was too little compared to the number of SMMEs who applied for the relief fund.

It is for this reason that there are those amongst us who received letters that their applications were successful but, there was no more money to pay. This is an indication of the high number of SMMEs that we have in our country and per region”.

He further emphasised that, “COVID19’s impact on world tourism is expressly devastating. Almost all the

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The tour guide relays a story to the Deputy Minister and his delegation at a Museum in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. industries under the tourism sector were on hold, with global cancellation of travel, public events, employment adjustments, job loses, and a sharp loss of business and personal income for those in the tourism sector. Major industries in the tourism sector such as the hospitality industry, tour guiding and operations, food and beverage, conferencing and events, recreation and entertainment have already reported significant revenue losses.”

The Deputy Minister urged that South Africans needed to work with speed in identifying the challenges that could be turned into immediate opportunities to activate rural tourism. “We need to further engage the youth and women of our region on what they see as ways to economic recovery. We do so, mindful of the broader and destinationspecific challenges that have a huge impact on tourism in general, which includes among others,service delivery challenges around bulk infrastructure such as sewerage systems, roads, accessibility to and within destinations, poor signage, inadequate water and sewage supplies”, he added.

Deputy Minister Mahlalela lamented the limited electricity provision and power outages and the complex land claims aspects. He also pointed out the iconic attractions that are not well established and marketed. The lack of diversified accommodation offerings, museums needing upgrading and promotion, limited tourism facilities. He also decried the lack of banks/ATMs, patchy mobile phone coverage, speed and cost of data, lack of filling stations/vehicle repair facilities and medical facilities, local food production and local entrepreneurial

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culture.

The platforms kicked started with a two-way, unmediated, direct and interactive information-sharing sessions, which gave credence to a participatory democracy. The Community Imbizo included a broad audience of stakeholders within the economic sectors, the Employment and Infrastructure Development Cluster (ESEID), Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Authority (ECPTA) and five of the local municipalities within the OR. Tambo District Municipality.

On the 24th of October 2020, the Deputy Minister toured various areas and inspected tourist attractions such as the Nelson Mandela Museum,

Mthatha Dam, Red Hub project in Mqanduli, Nomabali Craft centre and Hole in the Wall in Coffee Bay. In his closing remarks, the Deputy Minister commended the stakeholders and community for showing interest in the recovery of the country’s economy through tourism initiatives. “We need to work together and produce the product that will change the lives of our communities. Our revolution is not a public-speaking tournament.

Our revolution is not a battle of fine phrases. Let our engagement today lead to the improvement of the concrete situation, that of poverty, unemployment, inequality, the masses of our country find themselves facing”, added.

Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela on a walkbout during his visit at Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape.

Use tourism as a force for good M

any people have remarked on how the unexpected impact of COVID-19 has brought opportunities to reset and change the way we view the world as well as changing our priorities.

What if the tourism industry – and the traveller – did this too?

Tourism specialist and travel blogger, Nancy Molina, writes: “There is no other industry in the world like the travel and tourism industry.

I know this is a bold statement, but I mean it. No other industry is able to connect people and places as profoundly as travel and tourism can, regardless of background, gender, race, culture, etc.

You have heard me speak and seen me write about this before because I truly believe that the travel and tourism industry can impact on our world in a very positive way.

Unfortunately, travel is often perceived as a soft industry, unable to generate sufficient income for nations to thrive.

However, the reality is that one in 10 jobs in the world are generated by travel and tourism, employing some of the most vulnerable members of society: women and youth.

When you combine the benefits of travelling (for those who can travel) and the economic benefits for those

who host, you have in your hands, something very special.

There are negative consequences of travel of course, as with any industry, such as gas emissions, over-tourism, neglected communities, exploitation of children and women, sex tourism and animal exploitation, amongst others. These challenge us to think and act smarter.

In the wake of this global pandemic – of which we are all very tired – we have the unique opportunity to think about travel differently and ask ourselves the following questions. Do we want travel to come back just the way it was? Do we want to keep all the old habits and continue as if nothing happened?

I believe that the answer to many of these questions is ‘no’ and that we are in fact looking to embrace a way of tourism that is more sustainable, more responsible and more ethical. But what does it all mean? Perhaps, the time for all of us, as tourism partners, is to get more serious and practical about fair wealth distribution, the boosting of local economies, equal opportunity/access to jobs, social and environmental responsibility.

To achieve this, we should evaluate our plans to travel keeping the following thoughts in mind: Where?

There are areas all around us in each of our countries that could benefit from

travel. In the South African context, there are provinces or areas that have been especially hard hit by the impact of lockdown (like the Northern and Eastern Cape) due to their remoteness.

In this way, we can attempt to support local communities and local business, being respectful of the places we visit and the people we meet.

How? Search for places off the beaten path, directing your travel money into places that invest in sustainable tourism and sustainable practices.

Why? As I mentioned above, we have a unique opportunity to hit reset and change the way in which we spend and consume for the better. As a result, travel and tourism can become more and more sustainable, renewable and with positive lasting impacts.

Finally, recognising the potential of tourism as a factor for positive impact in the world and in our country, is really important.

Understanding the impact we all have when we travel, is a good starting point, as it brings accountability for our actions and sets us on a new path when we make decisions for our next destination.

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South African National Parks Week

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he inaugural South African National Parks Week took place in 2006 and was aimed at linking the South African National Parks system to the global national movement and to also showcase the best of South Africa’s national parks.

South African National Parks (SANParks), together with Total South Africa and FNB, will be hosting the 15th annual SA National Parks Week from 16th to 20th November 2020.

SANParks has postponed the free access week which is traditionally held in September, to November, due to the COVID-19 Alert Level 2 regulations which restrict the number of persons allowed within public spaces.

Additionally, SANParks has implemented extra visitor management procedures in the parks to manage visitor volumes in line with regulations, to further mitigate the risk of the spread of the coronavirus at this time.

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This week grants free access to most of the 21 national parks for day visitors, especially people from the local communities. Free entry excludes Namaqua National Park and Boulders Penguin Colony as well as the Table Mountain Cableway in Table Mountain National Park. It should be noted that free access to parks does not in include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.

According to Chief Executive Officer for SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni, every year SANParks aims to increase the number of citizens that are granted free access to national parks during this time.

“The week in partnership with Total South Africa and FNB is meant to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage and a deeper appreciation of biodiversity. It is important for South Africans to visit and know the importance of national parks,” said Mketeni.

Since the initiative started in 2006, some 551,393 South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to enter national parks, and we want to see these numbers grow.

He said that there is a growing need for national parks to be relevant, particularly to young people and communities living adjacent to parks.

“Through our Socio-Economic Transformation programmes and our Expanded Public Works Programme, we work closely with communities living adjacent to national parks in order to be more inclusive so that we can tackle issues of wildlife crime with their help, afford them more access to parks for cultural use, inform young people about the different career options that parks have to offer and create job opportunities. SANParks hopes to strengthen and enable those communities to reap the benefits of the national parks.” He said.

Research paves way for tourism R

esearch, which has been defined as gaining new knowledge, has been identified as a critical area for the development and growth of the tourism sector. The revised National Tourism Sector Strategy 2016-2026 highlights the importance of research as one of the important tools in destination management and recognises that much has been done to improve this area of research, data and statistics, however much more is still required.

In line with this, the Department of Tourism hosted its annual Tourism Research webinar with the theme

“Advancing tourism growth and development through research.� As the tourism sector is in a constant state of flux, research is therefore pivotal in charting the course forward in identifying knowledge gaps as well as prioritising important trends.

Because tourism is a cross functional sector, it requires collaboration with its stakeholders.

This seminar is held annually to ensure that the research findings address the needs of stakeholders in the sector and to disseminate and discuss the findings of the research studies a well as to obtain constructive feedback from key stakeholders and

researchers in the sector. It also aims to disseminate research findings to key stakeholders in the sector, thereby ensuring that research recommendations are implemented, and translated into policy and practice.

Three research studies were presented at this year’s webinar. The University of Johannesburg started with a presentation on leveraging stateowned tourism assets for black Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) development: a case of state-owned parks, lodges and attractions- phase 2.

The aim of the research study was to examine business linkages that exist between state owned entities (parks,

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s the growth lodges and attractions) and tourism SMMEs with a view to improve the growth and development of these SMMEs. This was followed by the University of Pretoria, who presented an assessment of the impact of mega trends in the tourism sector-phase 2. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyse global shifts as well as tourism specific megatrends that impact the tourism sector at a global, regional and local level, from both the demand and supply side of the sector, with a view to develop a framework that will enable the sector

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to proactively respond to challenges and capitalise on opportunities for future development.

The University of Venda concluded with an analysis of the public sector expenditure in the tourism value chain: identifying socio-economic opportunities for black-owned enterprises in South Africa-phase 2. The purpose of this study was to examine and analyse how tourism sub-sectors benefit from public sector expenditures with a view to determine potential socio-economic opportunities for black-owned SMMEs within the tourism value chain.

The research collaboration with universities produced significant work which contributed towards policy and programme development, planning and decision-making for the Department and sector. To date, thirty-six (36) research studies and reports have been completed. The research focus areas of the studies included, among others, service excellence, community participation and beneficiation, cross-border tourist guiding, tourism competiveness, impact assessments, rural tourism, destination development, and coastal and marine tourism.

PhySIcal address

Tourism House, 17 Trevenna street, sunnyside, Pretoria 0002

POStal address

Private Bag X424, Pretoria 0001

cONtact informaTion

Call centre: +27 (0) 860 86 8747

Call centre e-mail: callcentre@tourism.gov.za Switchboard number: +27 (0) 12 444 6000 Switchboard fax: +27 (0) 12 444 7000 www.tourism.gov.za

Department of Tourism @Tourism_gov_za departmentoftourism_