Earlier last week the STATSSA monthly statistical release showed how much the #covid19SA lockdown restrictions annihilated the tourism industry. The country had a total of 205 132 travellers of which 66 892 were South African residents and 138 240 were foreign travellers through South African ports of entry/exit in August 2020. A further breakdown of the figures for South African residents indicates that there were 30 547 arrivals, 36 345 departures and no travellers in transit. The corresponding volume for foreign arrivals, departures and travellers in transit was 67 051, 71 148 and 41, respectively.
The number of South African residents saw a reduction of 93,7% . Departures decreased by 93,0% from 522 927 to 36 345, and transits decreased by 100,0% descending from 976 to nothing.Coming from outside the country’s national borders foreign travellers, arrivals decreased by 95,1% from 1 377 914 to 67 051, departures decreased by 94,1% from 1 215 970 to 71 148 while transits decreased by almost 100,0%, all figures were recorded during the period reading from 482 712 in August 2019 to 30 547 in August 2020.
Due to stringent #covid19SA regulations, road transport was the most easy to use mode of transport as it shaded the chunk of all categories starting with just mode of transport trickling to sub-categories such as mode of transport by regions, gender, age etc. The road transport was used by 180 023 which is 87,8% of the total 205 132 travellers. Only 24 461 (11,9%) made use air transport while just a granule amounting to 648 (0,3%) used sea transport. Further information can be sourced from the STATSA website.
During an additional stimulus announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa conceded that due to the restrictions the tourism industry lost significant amount of money. “I cannot quantify exactly how much,” said the President. “We can potentially regain some of this loss if we address the architecture of our current system. Arrangements are being finalised for a whole string of countries; the announcement will be made soon. In fact, in just weeks we expect the announcement. This will open doors to various countries.”
Government to amend lockdown restrictions and what lies ahead?
Ramaphosa further highlighted the concerns and complaints they received from travellers who would like to come to SA that they dragging back the industry. The pernicious effect of #Coivid19SA on the tourism industry cornered the government into making what could be a premature decision of assuaging the situation by making amendments on the lockdown restrictions while talks of “Second Wave’’ of infections being on the horizon gains momentum. The send wave of #Covid19 infections has already been seen in countries like China, France, UK while US now have the third wave gawking at their thwacked economy. Amendments would be made to the regulations on the travel of minors; the list of countries requiring visas for South Africa would be reviewed and an e-visa pilot would be implemented. The visa requirements for highly skilled foreigners would be revised.
The decision to amend lockdown regulations has obviously conceived trade-off which will emerge in case of Government having to delist the countries which make up a chunk of if not the biggest contributors to the total travellers through SA port of entry/exit. Another trade-off will be that of granting allowance to countries that still remain epicentre if not amongst the top countries on the infections chart.
Now let’s look at who are the most popular overseas visitors in SA
10 countries make up 75.5% of all tourists from overseas countries(20
full list of high-risk countries, from which tourists may not visit South Africa, as of 19 October:
United States of America (USA): 35 699 (21.5%)
United Kingdom (UK): 21 834 (13.1%)
India: 13 238 (8.0%)
Germany: 11 827 (7.1%)
France: 11 142 (6.7%)
Australia: 8 825 (5.3%)
China: 7 259 (4.4%)
The Netherlands: 5 782 (3.5%)
Brazil: 5 149 (3.1%)
Canada: 4 771 (2.9%)
In May 2019, the figures show that the number of tourists decreased for four of ten leading countries, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Brazil. Of the top ten countries, only Australia is not listed as banned from travelling to SA thanks to their efficient and effective measures, Furthermore, all the BRICS members are banned despite the President Ramaphosa pointing his BRICS Co-member’s plea ‘I have heard on my own travels that there are people who want to come to South Africa but find it difficult. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, said to me that there are a growing number of Chinese middle-class tourists who want to travel here but find the regime prohibitive.” Ramaphosa said.
With their agape hands, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) welcomed on of the by-product in the announcement that the list of countries requiring visas for South Africa would be reviewed and an e-visa pilot would be implemented. The visa requirements for highly skilled foreigners would be revised. “We are hoping that the announcements in the following weeks will address all the concerns we have raised with regard to visas and unabridged birth certificates. We have said from the start that unabridged birth certificates have created a large problem for tourism. We want this gone to re-encourage the movement of people into SA.” Interim CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa,
Effect
Although the second wave might be on the cards, the effect of this decision of easing regulations to perk up some industries such as tourism will most likely be felt as some parts of the industry, saw operation narrowed while others experienced no activity at all. In addition to that, some of the regular visitors own properties in the country, "Most of them own properties in the country. We appreciate the significant economic contribution that they make through their activities in the country. To this end, we will also allow visitors, in whichever category, who are coming to stay for a three months period or more subject to Covid-19 protocols." The Department of Health Affairs said. Another significant degree of impact will be expected from the revision of Visa regulations after the removal of visa regulation requirements saw the Russia-RSA market expanding by a staggering 47% in the 2nd quarter of 2018.
By: Mmamoloko Boshomane
Email: eboshomane7@gmail.com
Cell: 084 847 6895
