Tourism Month 2021: Time to ease restrictions to support tourism recovery in Western Cape
1 September 2021
Tourism Month 2021 marks the start of what will hopefully be a period of welcome relief for the tourism and hospitality sector, however the success of our summer season remains dependant on the opening of the economy in the Western Cape.
And so, with the decrease in Covid-19 infections and an exit from our third wave peak, together with the continued successful Covid-19 vaccination rollout in the province, it is critical that national government consider the easing of lockdown restrictions which are impacting on businesses in the Western Cape.
Where it is safe to do so, they must consider the easing of restrictions on the sale of alcohol, the curfew and the size of gatherings. They also need to consider increasing the capacity of large conferencing venues and the attendance of spectators at sporting events where those attending are fully vaccinated.
The tourism sector generated R15,5 billion in gross value add and supported 174 982 jobs in 2019 in the Western Cape. But the sector has been hard hit and, while the Western Cape maintains the lowest unemployment rate in South Africa, the tourism sector is estimated to have lost 75 477 jobs in 2020.