In the last ‘good accounting period’ Tourism accounted for 7.1 percent of Africa’s GDP and contributed $ 169 billion to the continent’s economy. The World Travel and Tourism Council has estimated that 100 million tourism-related jobs have already been lost globally, including nearly eight million in Africa, due to the COVID-19 crisis.
In 2017, the direct contribution of the tourism sector to South Africa’s GDP was R130.3 Billion, constituting a 2.8% direct contribution to GDP. The global average contribution to GDP in 2017 was 3.2% with predictions that this figure would continue to rise.
And then 2020 happened…
A survey published in April by South Africa’s Department of Tourism, the Tourism Business Council of SA, and IFC revealed the anguish of South Africa’s tourism sector. Of the survey’s 1,600 respondents, 58 percent said they couldn’t make their loan repayments in March, while 54 percent said they couldn’t cover their fixed costs. Half said they were forced to slash wages for more than half of their staff.
More Disturbing Facts from the Survey:
- 34% of firms say that revenues are down 100% from a year ago
- 58% of firms were unable to make their loan payments
- 54% of firms were unable to cover fixed costs
- 50% of firms have reduced wages for more than 50% of staff.
In these trying COVID-19 times I can certainly attest that the tourism sector has taken a major dive with the Whale Watching business, AB Marine, going from a steady turnover up until February 2020 to an absolute flatline on the turnover side and a dismal slide on the profit line right up until today.
BUT, we are a resilient bunch and try to make lemonade out of lemons at every turn.
My personal belief is that if I give and only expect the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped someone else in return that eventually my generosity will produce rewards – especially if I have helped prop up and promote an industry that I love and am involved in.
To that end I established a ‘Tour Guides South Africa‘ site that offers FREE LISTINGS for Tour Guides in South Africa.
See the latest submission to Tour Guides SA here – https://tourguidesa.co.za/all-or-nothing-adventures/ – give it a visit and, IF you are a tour guide, please do take the time to promote your business there.
IF you know a Tour Guide then please do share the link to the site so that we can continue promoting the industry and get those vital foreign capital inflows into South Africa.
Essential Links:
- Add your Tour Guide Business here: https://tourguidesa.co.za/add/
- See an Example Business here: https://tourguidesa.co.za/all-or-nothing-adventures/
- Submit your tour guide news here: https://tourguidesa.co.za/submit-news/
#tourism #travel #covid #southafrica #africa #tourguides
Video: Tour Guides South Africa
More Info on Tour Guides South Africa here: https://tourguidesa.co.za/
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: MyPR Alan Straton
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