Last week TBCSA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa was championing the extension of TERS and the implementation of tourism grants to sustain and provide sustenance for industry growth, but some Tourism Update readers highlighted other challenges faced by industry stakeholders and possible interventions.
Andrew Thackwray
What about the ‘forgotten people’ of the tourism sector – the freelance guides who have nothing. I got one UIF payment, no other income. I am selling my possessions to survive but all anyone cares about is the businesses and permanent workers... show some compassion for those of us who did the hard work and kept the tourists happy. I only mention myself so I suppose I will now be called selfish. Remember that, as guides, we are also hard workers. Without us tourism does not exist.
Fanie van Zyl
Nothing was forthcoming for the tour bus and vehicle fraternity as Government rejected the proposal to waive licence fees on vehicles and, on top of that, adding 25% penalties every month. We do not operate and did not operate last year. So how can we do a trip if we cannot afford the licence fees, in some cases R52 000 for a 57-seater coach? Also, the banks do provide for bad debt! Why can’t they utilise that ‘write-off’ to extend the period of the lease on condition of a monthly inspection of the vehicle and then when tourism opens up, reinstate the lease agreement? Now vehicles are being repossessed, thus they lose income and we lose our business or asset.
Tes Proos
How about the TEF funds getting reallocated to tourism sector survival? I do not begrudge anyone from benefiting from TEF but the priority should be to keep existing business and jobs alive. We can start new businesses when this mess is over. Right now, livelihoods need to be secured as much as possible. The current looting and riots have been slow-burning cordite. It just needed a catalyst to ignite.