With projections that domestic flights will only return by December and international and regional borders will only reopen by early next year, key tourism stakeholders have emphasised that the travel and tourism industry needs to rally to show government that certain sectors can be reopened sooner.

This was one of the key messages from yesterday’s joint Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and South African Tourism webinar in which parts of the Tourism Risk Rating were shared.

SA Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, was quick to point out that the graphics shared were speculative but that the sector had to ensure it had a plan.

TBCSA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, agreed, highlighting that the key focus for tourism bodies – and the industry in general – needed to ‘de-risk’ certain segments of the industry and find ways in which to open those sectors sooner.

He said TBCSA was working with industry to develop certain tourism recovery protocols to ensure this. “We invite our tourism industry partners to participate in the development of these protocols,” said Tshivhengwa.

“It is very important for SA's tourism industry to speak as one voice when approaching government regarding lockdown and related matters.”