News

Coronavirus will not hold tourism back – minister

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:04 pm

Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi Ngubane along with SA Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said at the launch of Meetings Africa, hosted at the JSE on Friday, that SAA flight cancelations will not heavily impact the tourism sector and that technology is assisting Chinese delegates who cannot enter the country.

“From tourism’s point of view, the first principle is to say it doesn’t matter how they come, weather by air, by road, by donkey, as long as the tourists are here. As a sector we are not de-focused because we’ve got to work with all the airlines that exist. It’s a different response when I speak as a patriotic South African.

“But when I speak as minister of tourism, my responsibility is to say all the airlines are important and where there are gaps, we hope SAA will [pass] those licenses to those who can give the people [services],” she said.

The minister also said the major issue with cancellations is communication and she hopes that SAA will communicate better with the tourism department in order for them to “plan better as a sector” while also allowing the national airline to continue being the gateway to Africa.

Ntshona, said the situation is being closely monitored.

“As soon as SAA announced that they are no longer flying Joburg and Sao Paolo, Latam Airlines increased the frequency… that is [closing] the gap, essentially. We are always in contact with the airlines to see how we can assist them to actually get [there],” Ntshona said.

He also highlighted that the Coronavirus pandemic will not destabilise SA’s tourism sector. As it stands, 15 delegates from China will no longer be able enter South Africa for the Meetings Africa conference to be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre on February 24 to 26. Ntshona said technology has presented itself as a gateway to innovation.

“First of all, it is a global thing. It is more than just travel. It is going to affect all of the business trade. Stock exchanges around the world are starting to shake because of that.

“We had a cancellation of 15 delegates coming from China. It actually forced us to start thinking differently – a bit more innovatively to see how do we use technology as an enabler to get you in the room without being in the room,” he said, emphasising that the situation is being carefully monitored.

According to Kubayi-Ngubane, more collaborative efforts are being made. During her visit to India last month, she was in discussion with Indian officials to create a national route from Mumbai to Johannesburg.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

South African Group Petitions For Chidimma Adetshina’s Removal FromInternational Miss Universe Pageant Over Identity Fraud Allegations

A group called Progressive Forces in South Africa has launched a petition against MissUniverse Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, with the aim…

November 5, 2024

Mauritius Reopens Social MediaAccess in Response to PublicPressure

Mauritius on Saturday overruled its decision to prohibit social media until the election onNovember 10th which was caused by a…

November 5, 2024

UAE Crown Prince Arrives in Ethiopia for WorldWithout Hunger Conference

The UAE’s Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed AlNahyan was in Addis Ababa…

November 5, 2024

Zimbabwe’s rich (Mbingas) linked to state looting

Gilbert Machokoto, a former teacher, said that setting up a business in the late 1980s, shortlyafter Zimbabwe's independence, was ‘like…

November 4, 2024

Historic Shift in Botswana as PresidentConcedes to Opposition Victory

Following elections in which the party that had ruled the diamond-rich nation for almost 60years suffered a historic setback. Botswana's…

November 4, 2024

Lightning Strike at Uganda Refugee CampClaims 14 Lives, Including Children

A lightning strike at a refugee camp in Uganda kills 14 people including children with 34 othershospitalized. The incident happened…

November 4, 2024

This website uses cookies.