Question NW1705 to the Minister of Tourism

Reply:

a) (i)This is personal information and cannot be released without consent of the individuals concerned.

(ii) The organisations who were present at the meeting, are listed as follow:

• Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
• Association of Southern Africa Travel Agents (ASATA)
• Aviation Coordination Services
• Bay of Grace Tours
• BBEE Charter Council
• Blue Train
• Board of Airline Representatives (BARSA)
• Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau
• Century City Conference Centre and Hotel
• City Lodge
• CTICC
• Cullinan Holdings
• Durban Convention Bureau
• Durban ICC
• Ephraim Mogale Tourism Association
• Federated Hospitality Association Of Southern Africa (FEDHASA)
• Fly Fofa
• Free State GLA
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Johannesburg Convention Bureau
• Karibu Leisure Resort
• Limpopo Tourism
• Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA)
• Ritsako Game Lodge
• Rovos Rail
• Royal African Discoveries
• SA Airlink
• SA Magic (China)
• Sakhumzi Vilakazi Street
• Sandstone Estates
• Sandton Convention Centre
• SANParks
• South African Tourism
• Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA)
• Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
• Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA)
• Sun International
• Thebe Investment Corporation
• Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
• Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA)
• Tourvest
• Tshwane Convention Bureau
• Tsogo Sun
• Wonder Steam Train (Pty) Ltd

b) (i)What steps have been taken with the aim of meeting the agreed resolutions as at the latest specified date?

As reflected in the response to National Assembly Question 840, submitted on 28 May 2020, the meeting that took place on 09 March 2020agreed that the spread of the pandemic in South Africa was still in its early stages, however, the Minister of Tourism committed to the following:

• To engage National Treasury to assist businesses in distress to access the employment incentives that have been put in place.
• To negotiate with various meetingsand events owners to postpone to futuredates based on scenarios so that weminimise cancellations.
• To further engage with the Minister of Labour andEmployment who has agreed to look atrelief measures for those registered withthe UIF.

Subsequently, the Department of Tourism has embarked on a range of activities to support the Tourism Sector in dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Interventions by the Department of Tourism include amongst others:

• The establishment of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
• Engagement with the Minister of Labour and Employment to develop relief measures for those tourism companies registered with the UIF.
• The compilation of a list of accommodation facilities, i.e. public, community and privately owned, that can be utilised as quarantine facilities.
• Working with DIRCO in the repatriation of foreign tourists;
• The readjustment of the Department’s budget to support the Tourism recovery plan; and
• The development of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan.

ii) On what date has each of the steps been taken?

• The establishment of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Applications for the Tourism Relief Fund opened on 07 April and closed on 31 May 2020. The budget of the department was readjusted asof March 2020 to accommodate the Tourism Relief Fund at R200 million.

• Engagement with The Minister of Labour and Employment regarding UIF

Mechanisms for the facilitation of claims for tourism business was established between TBCSA and the UIF.

• Quarantine facilities

Since the implementation of Level 5, of the Risk Adjusted strategy, accommodation facilities were identified to be used as quarantine sites.

• Repatriation of tourists

Since Level 5 of the Risk Adjusted Strategy, tourists were repatriated

• The development of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan

The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan was developed through intensive consultations and was published for public comments on 1 August 2020.

• Engagement with events and meeting owners

Engagements were held with meetings and events ownersto appraise them about the situation and the need to explore mitigations to minimize loses.