The latest relaxation of Adjusted Lockdown Alert Level 1 regulations will provide the MICE tourism sector with a welcome boost just in time for the upcoming World Travel Market Africa, including Africa Travel Week (ATW) and Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 in the next two months. 

South African Tourism Acting CEO, Themba Khumalo, said the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday that the country would remain on Adjusted Alert Level One, with some further relaxation of COVID-19 regulations was great news for the sector and upcoming events and conferences. 

Amongst other measures, Ramaphosa announced that the capacity for gatherings had increased to 50% for all venues, for both indoor and outdoor gatherings. This is significant for the tourism industry, as it will impact positively on the business events sector. 

He also said international travellers entering South Africa through the various ports of entry would require either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. 

“We welcome the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as this presents great news for the tourism sector’s outlook towards recovery. Providing international travellers with a choice between producing proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours adds to South Africa’s accessibility, as a competitive and attractive tourism destination,” Khumalo said. 

He added that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions industry (MICE) was a major contributor to the economy and the easing of restrictions on gatherings would allow the sector to host events with more delegates.  

“After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South African Tourism’s flagship leisure tradeshow, Africa’s Travel Indaba is back and will take place from May 2-5. We look forward to hosting the world on our shores once again to showcase all that Africa has to offer travellers from around the world,” said Khumalo.  

Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries RX Africa Portfolio Director, Megan Oberholzer, said the decision to relax regulations was a positive move for upcoming travel trade events. 

“In just under a month’s time, thousands of travel industry stakeholders will visit the city of Cape Town to attend Africa Travel Week to reignite travel across the continent,” Oberholzer said. 

“South Africa’s decision to remove the mandatory requirement for a negative PCR test to enter South Africa bodes well, not only for the event that will be hosted live for the first time in two years, but also to position destination South Africa as tourist-friendly and ready to welcome visitors. We are delighted to be welcoming our tourism industry partners across the globe to the host city of Cape Town for this hallmark trade event,” she said. 

The MICE Academy MD and Founder, Helen Brewer, said the sector still faced challenges but the removal of the PCR test would greatly help the tourism industry’s economic recovery.  

“This restriction being lifted will turn the tide and breathe new life into the (mainly) tourism/travel trade. The MICE sector still faces many challenges but that too will pass in the fullness of time,” Brewer said.