The reasons for decline in tourism arrivals in SA

[Lisbeth]

I'd never fly SAA, but you are right anyway even if there are soooo many companies to choose from that I am not sure that it has an influence on the tourist numbers

[Richprins]

SAA must be given away, never mind sold!

[Lisbeth]

Nobody will buy it for sure and I doubt that it will be accepted as a gift and for the state it is a bottomless money sucker. It should have been grounded years ago.

[Mel]

We are currently awaiting the SAA rates for our October 2020 flights.
Maybe we should think twice

[Richprins]

Tourism industry concerned amid SAA strike

Tuesday 19 November 2019 - 8:30pm



JOHANNESBURG - The tourism sector is bracing for a bumpy ride. The strike at SAA is shaking things up, with several airlines getting increasingly jumpy.

They say a secondary strike would be a disaster, hurting the industry at the worst possible time.

SAA says the strike cost R104-million in just two days.

You could buy a lot of Christmas presents with that kind of money, but it seems 'ho ho ho' is turning into 'no no no'.



Travel agents say their customers are getting nervous.

Some are only flying in a few weeks' time, but with the strike, those plans are up in the air.

"I do think the question mark is there in terms of 'Do I book? Do I not book? What is going to happen to my travel for the next month, or the coming week? So definitely, I do think there's an element of uneasiness and uncertainty," said Kim Taylor, Flight Centre Customer Experience Director.

And it could get worse.



A secondary strike would affect several other airlines.

They've now responded... warning that the economy will take a knock.

"We could land up having an airline industry, and aviation industry, that's effectively derailed, and not able to do the job it's there to do," said Chris Zweigenthal, Airlines Association of South Africa.

The tourism sector pumps nearly R140-billion into the economy each year and the festive season is a crucial period.

But if this strike spreads ... who knows... even Santa may miss his flight.

https://www.enca.com/business/tourism-i ... saa-strike

[Lisbeth]

Locally it's a disaster

Internationally much less as there are dozens of airlines going to and from JHB and CPT.

[Klipspringer]

Attacks on tourists everywhere



https://thewc.co.za/george-tourism-avoi ... toria-bay/

George Tourism: Avoid hiking between Wilderness and Victoria Bay
A safety and security brochure will be issued indicating the precautions that need to be taken and which areas to avoid.
Staff Writer
November 21, 2019

Another attack on tourists between Wilderness and Victoria Bay has sparked an outcry on social media and concerned locals are wondering what authorities are doing about the issue.

George police communications officer, Capt Nolonwabo Tshengu said the attack on a French couple who were hiking between Wilderness and Victoria Bay, happened on Tuesday. Both victims were taken to Mediclinic George where the man is still in ICU after sustaining stab wounds.

In response to an enquiry, George tourism manager Joan Shaw said that they are aware of the incident, the latest of a number of incidents in the same area in the last three weeks.

Shaw said they had coordinated a successful meeting with various stakeholders, including the Garden Route District Municipality, various departments of George Municipality, provincial authorities, police, SANParks and local ratepayers associations to plan and implement initiatives to enhance tourism safety and security in the area.

The meeting generated collaboration to address the issue, with a number of guesthouses and businesses in Wilderness looking to newly install or upgrade their surveillance cameras.

She added that other measures by the various stakeholders are in the planning phase and will be implemented as soon as possible.

Shaw says it has to be noted that there is no official hiking trail between Wilderness and Victoria Bay and it is important to note that access across the Kaaimans railway bridge is closed off from both sides with clear signage.

She asked that all accommodation establishments in the Wilderness and Victoria Bay areas advise their guests not to attempt walking between the two beaches.

A safety and security brochure will be issued to all accommodation establishments and tourism activity service providers in the entire region indicating the precautions that need to be taken and which areas to avoid.

Please note: Police appeal to the public and tourists to take care. A crime analysis has been done and police patrols will be increased accordingly.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant John Beukes on 044 803 4713 OR Crime Stop on 08600 0111.

More: George Herald

[Lisbeth]

I wonder if you can ask for a safety escort e.g. from the airport to the place where you are going to stay, considered the situation

[Richprins]

I think we are heading that way. I'll organise to fetch you Lis!

[Lisbeth]

That's the way I wanted you to think