Omicron travel bans strike South Africa’s safari business – KXAN Austin
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from: SEBABATSO MOSAMO, Associated Press
Posted: Dec 7, 2021/04:38 CST
Updated: December 7, 2021 / 4:38 am CST
Storm clouds move over the Tamboti Bush Lodge in the Dinokeng Game Reserve near Hammanskraal, South Africa on Saturday 4th December 2021. The recent travel bans imposed on South Africa and neighboring countries following the discovery of the variant of Omicron in southern Africa have hammered the safari business of the country, which is already badly hit by the pandemic. (AP Photo / Jerome Delay)
DINOKENG GAME RESERVE, South Africa (AP) – The recent travel bans imposed on South Africa and neighboring countries in response to the discovery of the variant of Omicron in southern Africa have adversely affected the country’s safari business, which has already been badly hit by the pandemic.
South Africa’s tourism industry suffered a more than 70% drop in foreign tourists in 2020, with COVID-19 being responsible for the drop from around 15 million visitors in 2019 to less than 5 million in 2020. Tourism employs around 4.7% of the South African workforce.
Great Britain, the largest tourist source in South Africa, lifted its travel restrictions on the “Red List” for South Africa in October, and safari operators saw better prospects for the Christmas season and 2022. But then the news from omicron struck and brought a new round of international flight restrictions .
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticized the travel bans imposed by Great Britain and many others, including some African countries, as “hypocritical, harsh and unscientific”.
South Africa’s safari lodges are experiencing cancellations and few new reservations, said Fred Plachesi, owner of Tamboti Bush Lodge in Dinokeng Game Reserve, north of the metropolitan area of Tshwane, which includes Pretoria.
With only four guests over the weekend, Plachesi said his business was feeling the damage. He considers the travel bans imposed on South Africa to be unjust and will have a negative impact on the people of South Africa.
“I really think it’s very unfair for the country … it’s the South African people and the companies that are suffering,” said Plachesi.
He hopes that many countries will reconsider their flight bans and allow travel to and from South Africa again.
“The year 2022 looked pretty bright because the borders were now open and everyone was happy,” said Plachesi. “We started receiving booking confirmations. It looked very good. “
But now he looks gloomy into the coming year. “After that, omicron, it seems (a slump) is going to happen again like 2021,” he said. “So international guests and others cancel.”
Among the few overnight guests at the lodge were the South Africans Tebogo Masiu and Smagele Twala, who wanted a break from their schedule in Johannesburg. They said they were dismayed by the new travel restrictions in South Africa.
“For people who do business, link South Africa and other countries together, and boost South Africa’s economy … that’s detrimental,” said Masiu, who sat at an empty bar and only kept company with his partner and the lodge owners.
“It is unjust. You are making us victims,” said Twala.
Given the dire outlook for 2022, Plachesi and his business partner are trying to keep the empty spaces ready in the hopes that at least local visitors will go on a safari tour.
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