More than ever, the tourism industry is speaking with a “stronger united voice”. Lobbying efforts have paid off but these need to continue in the same way to ensure the viability and survival of the industry.

This includes the need to address pre-COVID legacy issues – including visas and obtaining transport operating licences – as well as current realities and challenges for tourism recovery post-COVID.

So said MD of Wild Wings Safaris, Onne Vegter, giving the perspective of the coastal regions at last week’s SATSA town hall meetings.

He emphasised too that lobbying to fully open the sector would need to be scientifically based, highlighting that the lockdown level three restrictions (lifted yesterday, Monday, February 1) – such as the closures of waterways, beaches and parks as well as the ban on alcohol sales – had not been based on scientific principles.

SATSA held three regional virtual town hall meetings last week to discuss the impact of the resurgence of COVID-19 over the past festive season as well as the challenges around key source markets being affected and the extension of travel restrictions and the alcohol ban.

SATSA members were given the chance to air their concerns, which the inbound industry association will take on board as it plans activities for the year. 

The recordings have been made available and Tourism Update will share them over the next week.