The reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Lisbeth
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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

Post by Lisbeth »

Certainly in any case, but I don't think that I am in danger for this kind of organized crime as I have no luggage with me, when I go out.


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Yes but you must listen to Mel... :yes: :X:


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Yes, Sir!!


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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SAPS is deeply concerned about robbers impersonating law enforcement
During past weeks, the media reported on some cases of tourists being hijacked around Mpumalanga.
22 hours ago
SAPS is deeply concerned about the fact that the robbers impersonate law enforcement officers. Photo: Jens Friis

Mbombela – “We can confirm that such robberies have occurred during the past six months, but no tourist has been injured or raped during the hijacking incidents as some of the social media posts falsely claimed,” said Brig Leonard Hlathi, spokesperson of SAPS Mpumalanga.

According to Hlathi, SAPS is deeply concerned about the fact that the robbers impersonate law enforcement officers, as well as the potential impact these incidents have on tourism in the region. “The provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, has since established a specialist forum within SAPS Mpumalanga to focus on keeping tourists safe.”

Johannes Nobunga, CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and chairperson of the Joint Provincial Tourism Safety Forum, confirmed that a holistic tourism safety plan has been rolled out with the aim to stop further robberies. The plan is a result of a memorandum of understanding between the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT), Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the South African Police Service, local governments and the House of Traditional Leaders.

ALSO READ: Barberton protesters in no mood to give up
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The strategy provides for additional patrols by law enforcement and private security companies on the affected routes, the installation of surveillance cameras, deployment of additional SAPS members to the area, as well as adequate funding for overtime to extend shifts of SAPS members.

Specialists in crime intelligence and specialist detectives have also been deployed to the area. Hlathi further commented that the tourist victim support programme of Kruger Lowveld Tourism, supported by the MTPA, has been instrumental not only in providing comprehensive victim support, but also in obtaining valuable information from the victims that could lead to the successful identification and arrest of the perpetrators.

This collaboration and efforts by all concerned have produced sufficient information that led to the positive identification of at least two crime kingpins. Meanwhile, warrants of arrest have been issued and all members of law enforcement and civilians at strategic points will soon be issued with colour photographs and full identity details of the suspects.

“All teams and members of SAPS are relentless in their efforts to put these individuals behind bars and this can happen very soon,” Hlathi concluded. “The affected tourists were encouraged to continue with their tours, and most of them did, except those who were already on their way back.

There is no need for anyone to reconsider their travel plans, but like anywhere in the world, we urge caution when travelling after dark,” said Oupa Pilane, president of KLCBT.

https://lowvelder.co.za/525642/saps-dee ... forcement/


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

Post by Mel »

I think, there might be a need to reconsider your travel plans, aka when you got a feeder flight to Munich, the long-haul from Munich was moved to Frankfurt but you're still on the feeder to Munich. 0-

Honestly... SAA sucks. We'll be praying for the March flight to happened and seriously consider taking the refund for the changed schedule in October and book something more reliable.


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Kruger National Park
@SANParksKNP
·
1h
*MTPA managed attractions* We have received reports of a planned illegal strike tomorrow (Mon 2 March) by some MTPA staff which MAY affect access to Potholes, Gods Window, Blyde Canyon, Blydepoort Dam, Manyeleti, etc.


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Again! 0*\


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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Access to provincial nature reserves open to tourists
Nature reserves that were closed due to an industrial action by its staff last week are now open to the public.
15 hours ago


The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s nature reserves that were closed due to an industrial action by its staff last week are now open to the public.

The gates to the popular nature reserves on the panorama route like Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, God’s Window, Pinnacle and Bourkes Luck Potholes are now accessible by tourists while NEHAWU continues to consult its members on the issues that they raised to the Management of MTPA.

“We would like to advise the public that the affected attractions are now operational and it is safe for those that wish to visit them. There are other tourists attractions that have continued to be operational during this period and we invite everyone to explore those other offerings available within the province.

“We would like to apologize to the public and most of all our tourists for the inconvenience caused by this industrial action. We would further like to dispute the negative reports that indicated that it was not safe for tourists to visit these sites as the protests were violent. We would like to confirm that during the industrial action there were no violent incidences reported and it was a peaceful protest”, explained Mr Johannes Nobunga, CEO of MTPA.

“We are optimistic that although the consultations between NEHAWU
and its members are taking longer than anticipated, we will eventually reach an agreement on the issues they have raised”, added Nobunga, CEO of MTPA.

We invite you to visit the various tourism attractions available in the different parts of the province and experience the wonders of Mpumalanga beyond wildlife.

https://lowvelder.co.za/534438/acess-pr ... -tourists/


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

Post by Lisbeth »

it is safe for those that wish to visit them
Everything is relative. Not long ago someone was robbed of all their belongings on that road O**
We would further like to dispute the negative reports that indicated that it was not safe for tourists to visit these sites as the protests were violent. We would like to confirm that during the industrial action there were no violent incidences reported and it was a peaceful protest”, explained Mr Johannes Nobunga, CEO of MTPA.
Be careful with what you say Mr Nobunga! This one must have been an exception, because normally these protests are very violent 0'


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Re: The real reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

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MTPA says tourism industry will suffer following the Panorama Route staff strike
A spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Kholofelo Nkambule, said they will certainly feel the effects of the Panorama Route staff strike, that lasted most of last week, on the area’s tourism.
March 13, 2020

The strike has ended and people are back at work with an agreement between the MTPA and Nehawu having been signed late on Wednesday night.

The MTPA is unable to give a monetary loss figure at the moment, as the audits only happen at the end of each month.

From February 3 to 7, the MTPA generated revenue of approximately R781 575 at Blyde River Canyon and Manyeleti Nature Reserves, excluding other nature reserves managed by MTPA.


“At the end of the first week of April, we should be able to get a recollection of revenue and the likely loss,”
said Nkambule.

Linda Grimbeek, COO of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT), said they know of a large number of people who called in about some attractions being closed, but as time passed more of them became aware of the closures and visited other attractions on the route.

The impact, however, is not only negative when it comes to money. Nkambule said Mpumalanga tourism’s reputation also suffered.

Oupa Pilane, CEO of KLCBT, agreed with this statement. “We just came from the attacks of tourists. Just as we are managing the attacks, we had to deal with a service-delivery strike that blockaded roads. We had the custodian of tourism in the province of disrupting tourism.

It will take us years to regain the confidence of the tourism industry.” He said you can imagine many tourists have spent two to three years supporting the tourist attraction sites, only to now find out the people who are supposed to be providing this service are the ones closing them off.

“In future, we need to find a different way. Yes, it is a constitutional right to fight, but that constitutional right must not infringe on the industry that is under so much pressure.”

In terms of rectifying the reputational damage caused by the strike, Grimbeek said they will continue with their marketing efforts and just hope that people inconvenienced by the strike accept their apology.

For Grimbeek, however, the past week’s happenings just serve as more proof that the privatisation of these sites is necessary. “The MTPA loses income, but if we lose clients in the process, it is not going to be them that have to close businesses or retrench personnel – they are state services,” she said.

From the KLCBT’s side, they have 11 WhatsApp groups to help with damage control. These groups are used to notify the industry of any problems on routes and to recommend other routes and attractions.

https://lowvelder.co.za/536013/mtpa-say ... ff-strike/


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