Tourism sector steps in to assist stranded and quarantined travellers

An amount of up to R30 million (€1.52m) taken from the TOMSA tourism levy – has been earmarked to assist travellers who may be stranded or need to be quarantined in South Africa during the 21-day lockdown period to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“These international visitors are our guests and we felt we needed to step up in this time of crisis,” said CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa.

“As an industry, we thrive in selling what South Africa has to offer, including its people, and as such, our hospitality has to show even in time of crisis, and we need to display ubuntu to international tourists and our people.”

He said TBCSA had worked with the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to find a solution after it emerged that tourists from Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, amongst others, had either been unable to return home after the lockdown or needed a place to self-isolate should they have tested positive for COVID-19 or been directly exposed by another member of their tour group.

He told Tourism Update that three accommodation establishments, near OR Tambo International Airport, Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and Cape Town International Airport, had been selected for this purpose.

Tshivhengwa was also quick to point out that these hotels and accommodation facilities would not make a profit from offering these services but that their basic operational costs would be covered by the R30m funds allocated from the TOMSA levy.

MMP