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The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors over the course of the national lockdown.

This was especially apparent over the festive season, when tough decisions had to be taken by the National Coronavirus Command Council to stem large gatherings and celebrations by limiting or prohibiting access to certain tourist attractions like beaches.

Further restrictions on airline travel, which reduced international visitors who would normally flood in over the summer months, coupled with booking cancellations from overseas visitors and locals, further compounded the problem, especially in tourist towns like Plettenberg Bay.

In Plett, according to News24, tourism contributes significantly to the town’s GDP and provides the largest employment base.

Over the period between October and December, Plett lost an estimated R674 million in hospitality revenue, leading to mass job losses, and sending it into a state of “survival mode”.

The cancellation of Plett Rage was also a contributing factor.

That amounts to half the estimated revenue generated in 2019 over the same period.

Image: Plett Tourism

Plett Tourism conducted a survey, which included data collected over the peak summer season, to determine the effect that this has had on jobs in the area.

They estimate that at least 1 096 jobs were lost in the hospitality industry as accommodation, restaurants, and tour operator activities recorded extremely low business.

The overwhelming consensus is that beach closure was a prominent contributing factor.

“The amount the tourism sector lost in Plett due to the beach closure announcement by the SA government is extremely worrying. We lost an excess of R674 million in just these past three months. An extremely large chunk of that due to the beach closure,” said Patty Butterworth, CEO Plett Tourism.

Real recovery, she says, will only be possible when international tourism returns.

South Africa has no control over how other countries are managing flight restrictions, but with vaccines in the works (provided some of the current hurdles are overcome), it is hoped that things could have changed by the time our end of year summer season rolls around.

[source:news24&pletttourism]