Tourism industry bodies, through the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) are now exploring their options after obtaining legal advice on the interpretation of the gazetted regulations on opening up for intra-provincial leisure, said SATSA CEO, David Frost.

This follows further confusion after the Presidency shared an infographic on Facebook on Friday evening (July 10), highlighting the latest update on activities that are allowed at Level 3.

On the infographic – under the subcategory of Accommodation Establishments – it stated that “with the exception of private homes for paid leisure accommodation, accommodation establishments are allowed to operate for leisure travel within a province”.

Subsequently, on Saturday (June 11) the Presidency backtracked and altered the infographic, noting in an updated post that it had “picked up an error” in the previous graphic which suggested that accommodation for leisure travel was permitted.

This seems to confirm a statement late last week  by outbound industry association, Asata, in which it states that Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has confirmed that all domestic leisure travel, both inside the traveller’s home province and between provinces, is still banned.

However, many in the sector – including industry adviser Gillian Saunders – have noted that the gazetted regulations do not preclude leisure travel and accommodation for travel within a resident’s own province.

Western Cape MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, has slammed what he terms the “flip flopping” of the Presidency.

“This is completely unacceptable. At a time when many South Africans’ livelihoods are on the line, such indecision and confusion is devastating for businesses who have done everything necessary to put in place health and safety measures and have already begun to open,” he said.

Maynier added that clarity by national government, be it the national Minister of Tourism, or the national Minister of Cooperative Governance and Cooperative Affairs, was “now imperative”.

“I, as well as TBCSA and SATSA firmly believe that tourism for leisure within provinces is already permitted under Alert Level 3 and should stay that way. These businesses can safely open to receive business travellers and similarly can safely open to receive people travelling for leisure purposes.

“To reverse the decision now could be the final nail in the coffin for many businesses in the tourism sector,” related Maynier.