This week’s comment comes from the article, SAA- ‘operations as normal’, from reader Sharon van Wyk. While working hard to develop Tourism Update’s #LetsGrowTourism campaign, we cannot ignore the major upsets in South Africa’s tourism industry –something which van Wyk highlights perfectly in her comment.

“It is not up to the business rescue practitioners in this instance, it is up to the legislation governing business rescue, and that categorically means that the writing is finally on the wall for SAA. Most of us saw this coming last June when Airlink separated itself from the SAA codes. I do not think SAA will survive this. Any sensible person would be wise to choose another carrier, given the uncertainty surrounding the airline. Irrespective of whether this is right or wrong, there is no future for SAA in its current shape and form. As tragic as it would be to lose a national carrier, especially for our tourism industry, I fail to see how any faith in this brand can be salvaged at this stage in proceedings, failing a miracle.”

As an award-winning conservation writer and film-maker, van Wyk works with the Conservation Action Trust and is a valued reader of Tourism Update.

Interaction with our readers is an exciting part of what we do at Tourism Update. Reading comments on articles, seeing likes and shares on social media and getting feedback emails are constant reminders of the passionate audience we serve.

Through these interactions, Tourism Update hopes to gain awareness around tourism growth and development in South Africa. Look out for posts and articles with the hashtag #LetsGrowTourism to support this initiative and, most importantly, keep the communications coming.