EDITORIAL | Yes, tourism will lift off, unless state ineptitude grounds it

The government’s decision this week to scrap the wearing of face masks and lift limitations on gatherings is long overdue. With the decline in hospitalisations and deaths, and most people experiencing mild symptoms, health experts agree we need to find ways to live with Covid-19 without compromising economic stability. The latest move is doing exactly that, though for many in the tourism, hospitality and sports sectors it is too little too late.  

Sporting bodies have repeatedly warned they are facing extinction if they cannot host crowds at 100% capacity. The opening up of stadiums for sports events will start making a dent in empty coffers, but the road to recovery will be long and hard. The Federated Hospitality Association of SA (Fedhasa), the umbrella body for hotels, restaurants, conference centres, caterers, self-catering accommodation and guest houses, has welcomed the move.. Its chair, Rosemary Anderson, said: “It has been clear for months that not only does Covid no longer threaten to overwhelm our hospitals, but that these regulations also have no effect on limiting Covid-19 infections.”  

It is easy for tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu to say lifting the regulations will 'boost tourism', but the government she serves is doing very little to solve problems that hold the industry back. Just look at KwaZulu-Natal.

On Thursday, tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the decision would boost growth in the sector since border checks for travellers were no longer in place either. A PCR test showing a negative result and a vaccination certificate are not required any more, reducing the cost and administrative burden of travelling. “The return to life as we knew it before Covid-19 will go a long way in boosting the tourism sector’s growth as travellers will be able to participate in more activities, including attending big events and gatherings that not only contribute to our country's appeal, but also to our economy,” said Sisulu.

It’s sad though that many South Africans working in these industries have already lost their jobs and businesses in an ever-shrinking economy held back by Covid-19 and, more recently, global events that sparked a rise in living costs. The government should have acted sooner to try to lesson the burden. South Africans are battling to make a decent living because they are facing many onslaughts, some brought on by their leaders. It is easy for Sisulu to say lifting the regulations will “boost tourism”, but the government she serves is doing very little to solve problems that hold the industry back — problems that have nothing to do with Covid-19. KwaZulu-Natal, one of the most popular tourism destinations in SA, is close to becoming one the last places on travellers’ bucket lists, with water-shedding now a part of life and filthy beaches losing their allure.

Wits University vaccinologist Prof Shabir Madhi has been quoted as saying the government is finally coming to grips with reality by ending Covid-19 restrictions. “Now to work on the collateral economic and other damage of what was self-inflicted due to stubbornness of not following the science,” he added. Our government should not be restricting itself by being too slow to respond with solutions in any shape or form. A problem caused by external factors is one thing, but difficulties arising from ineptitude or indifference will be our leaders’ worst indictment.