Entry in Seychelles will resume to pre-covid protocols from Thursday, 1st December 2022, as the last COVID-19 travel requirements will be removed for entry in Seychelles.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated visitors disembarking in Seychelles will not be required to present a negative PCR or antigen test to be allowed entry into the country. Similarly, fully vaccinated passengers would not require to show proof of vaccination either.

However, all visitors will be required to complete their travel declaration online through www.govtas.sc and provide valid travel insurance to cover for any potential COVID-19-related costs.

Commenting on the matter, Mrs Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism, stated that this indicates that the industry’s recovery is almost complete. As a small island destination, Seychelles being heavily dependent on tourism, we needed the last of these measures to be removed and for travel to be as unobstructed as possible.

“Similar to 15th March 2021, 1st December 2022 will be a date to be remembered for Seychelles. We took many risks while navigating our way through the recovery of our local tourism industry, and it has borne fruit. Today, as the destination’s arrival numbers are skyrocketing to pre-pandemic figures, we mark another important moment for travellers. It is yet another milestone for our industry, and we anticipate that this decision will be one that would boost travel to our small destination,” said Mrs Francis.

Visitors planning a holiday in Seychelles are encouraged to book their accommodation and leisure activities through licensed local service providers and operators.

Consisting of 115 islands, Seychelles is a pristine paradise, renowned for its turquoise waters and emerald rain forests, and is the only group of granitic islands in the world. Truly Another World, the Seychelles Islands possess unique features sure to capture the hearts of wanders across the globe

JOHANNESBURG – (Oct. 3, 2022) – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022.

Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organisations.

“Health and safety are always our first priority; in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. “Many travellers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.”

With the easing of the Cruise Line’s health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits. For all country specific travel requirements, travellers should visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country. Guests can also visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents for more information about the required travel documentation they will need for their NCL voyage.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com.

###

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 55 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionised the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 18 contemporary ships sail to nearly 400 of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize.  Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveller staterooms, club balcony suites, spa-suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Locally Issued by:

Claire Lathe, Big Ambitions Marketing

claire@bigambitions.co.za

Media Contact:

Kate Edwards, Norwegian Cruise Line

PublicRelations@ncl.com

I believe the repeal of these regulations will be a huge boost for tourism to South Africa and the greater Southern Africa. It is high time to normalise travel as is already happening in other countries around the world. The fact that we were under constant scrutiny for over two years and put on red lists has done a lot of damage to the greater tourism numbers. It’s important that we get back to pre-COVID normality. We can now finally market and sell our destination without being hampered by government regulations. The news that the regulations have been scrapped is not only exciting, it is also hugely rewarding for tourism to our destination.

At BON Hotels we are to an extent grateful that sanity has eventually prevailed when it comes to the absolute ludicrous rules that have hit our industry, the hospitality industry, the hardest out of every industry in this country. I don’t think there’s any other industry that has been hit harder than us. So many of the rules have been absolutely nonsensical and have cost thousands upon thousands of jobs.

We’d like to call upon government to stop creating own goals for the people of this country who are trying to earn an honest living. We’d like to urge government to consult with industry stakeholders more widely so that we can offer our perspectives into major decisions that are affecting everyone in our industry and in the country.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDE TO LIFT QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS FROM AUGUST 2022

Executive Council have taken a decision that with effect from Monday, 8 August 2022, quarantine will no longer be a legal requirement on St Helena. All restrictions will be removed and people will be able to visit St Helena without needing to quarantine.

This decision to remove quarantine follows the announcement made in May 2022 to reduce quarantine from 10 days to seven as a part of a roadmap towards living with COVID-19 on St Helena.

Elsewhere in the world, vaccines have enabled the gradual and safe removal of restrictions on everyday life over the past year, and this will remain at the heart of St Helena’s approach to living with the virus in the future. St Helena is extremely privileged to have had both access to vaccines and time to roll out a comprehensive vaccination programme during this year and as a result uptake has been very high, more than 95% of our population are fully vaccinated.

Globally many communities have implemented processes and daily habits that allow people to return to a new normal whilst ‘Living with COVID-19’. Over the coming weeks St Helena Government (SHG) will be issuing advice and guidance to assist all on St Helena to develop and implement protocols and procedures to minimize and reduce the impact of community spread, once the quarantine is lifted.

The Health Services Directorate has been doing a lot of background work to ensure that it is prepared for community spread of COVID-19.

A Recovery Working Group which includes representatives from key services, retail, Youth Groups and other NGOs, will meet on a regular basis to discuss planning to ensure the continued delivery of essential services following the removal of quarantine restrictions. This group will also be discussing how they inform their staff about any new arrangements for service delivery that will be required.

A Communications Plan has been drawn up and will be rolled out during the next six weeks. Information and advice, including travel advice, to assist both the community and people planning to visit the Island, will be provided via the local media and other communication channels throughout the period leading up to the lifting of the quarantine requirements.

If you have any queries or concerns at this time, please email them to: communitycovid-19@sainthelena.gov.sh and they will be addressed accordingly.

#StHelena #LiftingOfQuarantine

https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

SHG
21 June 2022

Press Release on behalf of FEDHASA

 “DON’T DELAY, ADOPT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS SO WE CAN GET BACK TO WORK” – FEDHASA APPEALS TO NEC

JOHANNESBURG, 21 JUNE 2022 – FEDHASA has welcomed the National Department of Health’s recommendations to repeal regulations that were put in place to stem the spread of Covid-19, including mask wearing, entry limitations and restrictions on gathering sizes.

“This is long overdue, considering that the reasons these regulations were instituted in the first place were to reduce pressure on our healthcare system. 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 infections. The phase of the pandemic in which we find ourselves is one that sees us learning to live with Covid like the rest of the world has been doing,” says Rosemary Anderson, FEDHASA National Chairperson.

While tourist accommodation income is rising steadily, the industry has a long journey ahead to get to levels it enjoyed pre-covid, says Anderson. “The hospitality sector was among the hardest hit by regulations put in place during Covid. These regulations have continued to limit normal operations, such as venue capacity, contact tracing, etc., with restrictions of 50% capacity still in place.”

According to the Tourist Accommodation statistics for April 2022, issued by Statistics South Africa, income for the tourist accommodation industry increased 53,4% in April 2022 compared with April 2021.

Income from accommodation increased by 43,5% year-on-year in April 2022, the result of a 17,8% increase in the number of stay unit nights sold and a 21,8% increase in the average income per stay unit night sold.

“We have a long way to go to recover from the loss of income and jobs in the hospitality sector, but are encouraged by the steady increases we are seeing from our key source markets who can now travel to South Africa, albeit with certain restrictions such as vaccination certificates. We should be doing whatever we can to encourage them to return as we prepare for our summer season, says Anderson.

FEDHASA urges the NEC will do the right thing and adopt these recommendations swiftly.

“When one considers the catalytic potential of the tourism and hospitality sector to create jobs in areas where this is most needed, we should be doing everything we can to help it get back on its feet swiftly so that it can get back to creating employment.

“Don’t delay. Adopt the Department of Health’s recommendations so we can get back to work,” Anderson concludes.

Ends

About FEDHASA

Founded in 1949, a restructured and transformed FEDHASA (Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa) is recognised by Government as the official representative of the hospitality industry of South Africa. With industry support, FEDHASA remains the umbrella association for hotels, restaurants, conference centres, caterers, self-catering accommodation, home hosting establishments (B&Bs and guest houses), clubs, taverns, shebeens, suppliers and trainers, consultants and service providers to the hospitality industry. For more information, visit https://fedhasa.co.za/

Contacts:

Natalia Rosa

Big Ambitions

Tel: 083 449 4334

Email: natalia@bigambitions.co.za

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Releases 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

JOHANNESBURG – June 13, 2022 – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (the “Company”), a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, today published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) index as part of the Company’s global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. Highlights from the Company’s previously published 2021 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) Report are also included in the 2021 ESG Report.

“We are more focused now than ever on our commitment to drive a positive impact on society and the environment through our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. The success of our business and our ability to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders is undeniably linked to the health of our planet, our people and the communities we visit worldwide,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Our 2021 ESG Report highlights our progress and commitments on our top ESG priorities, providing critical transparency to our key stakeholders. We do not plan to stop here and we will continue to build upon our accomplishments to-date as we collectively chart a path towards a more sustainable future.”

The 2021 ESG Report highlights the Company’s key advancements since its last published report and impactful initiatives underway across the five pillars of its Sail & Sustain program, including:

Reducing Environmental Impact

• Committed to pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across the Company’s operations and value chain. To support the path to net zero, the Company also committed to develop short- and near-term greenhouse gas reduction targets.
• Joined the Methanol Institute in 2022, a global trade association for the methanol industry which represents the world’s leading methanol producers, distributors and technology providers, to collaborate, share and adapt solutions for the future. Alongside strategic partners such as engine manufacturers and classification societies, the Company is assessing the feasibility of retrofitting existing engines to operate with dual fuels – diesel and methanol – with the goal to test the use of methanol by 2025.
• Committed to offset three million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) over a three-year period from 2021-2023 to help bridge the gap in its decarbonization efforts as it explores long-term solutions such as alternative fuels.
• Established target for approximately 70% of the Company’s fleet to be equipped with shore power capabilities by 2025, allowing these ships to connect to onshore electrical power grids while in ports with the required infrastructure.
• Welcomed guests to its new state-of-the-art PortMiami terminal, the first LEED Gold New Construction V4.0 cruise ship terminal in the world.
• Continued focus on water stewardship by self-producing approximately 80% of water used onboard in 2021. Targeting a 4% decrease in bunkered water by 2025, as compared to 2019.
• Updated Supplier Code of Conduct in 2022 and introduced a Responsible Sourcing Mission Statement and Animal Welfare Commitment all of which can be found here.

Sailing Safely

• Enhanced existing robust commitment to health and safety in response to COVID-19 with its comprehensive SailSAFE health and safety program. The robust SailSAFE program consists of new and enhanced protocols to create multiple layers of protection against COVID-19.
• Established the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the Company’s expert public health council, chaired by former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

Empowering People

• Strengthened commitment to maintaining the Company’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace with President and CEO Frank Del Rio signing the CEO Action pledge for Diversity & Inclusion in March 2022. As of year-end 2021 approximately 48% of the global shoreside manager and above team was female and approximately 49% of the U.S. shoreside manager and above team self-identified as an under-represented minority.
• Launched new team member resource group in 2022, EMBRACE, which focuses on diversity in leadership for managers and above.
• As part of its supplier diversity program, the Company estimates that approximately 39% of U.S. supply chain spending in 2021 was with small businesses or businesses with minority, veteran or economically disadvantaged qualifications.
• Named by Forbes to the 2021 list of the World’s Best Employers and by the South Florida Business Journal to its 2022 Healthiest Employers honorees.
• Nearly $1.5 million was invested in office protocols such as antigen testing, office safety enhancements and onsite nurses since 2020 to protect team members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Supported employees through Company’s student loan repayment and tuition reimbursement programs, paying over $375,000 in 2021.

Strengthening our Communities

• Provided a Paid Volunteer Day for all U.S. shoreside team members beginning in 2021 to support community involvement efforts.
• Provided approximately $12 million in cash, cruise and other in-kind donations in 2021 to various important causes.
• Launched numerous philanthropic initiatives including Norwegian Cruise Line’s Giving Joy campaign which recognized hardworking teachers. As part of the 2021 Giving Joy campaign, 100 teachers across the U.S. and Canada were awarded a free week-long cruises for two, which were collectively valued at over $750,000. In addition, the top three winners were awarded $10,000, $15,000 or $25,000 for their schools from the cruise line.
• Activated Company’s Crew Relief Fund and providing ongoing communications and logistical support and counseling to Ukrainian and other team members impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Also pledged an additional $100,000 to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

Operating with Integrity and Accountability

• ESG oversight at the Board of Directors level with the Technology, Environmental, Safety and Security (“TESS”) Committee.
• The Compensation Committee of the Board approved the inclusion of an ESG metric, tied to progress on setting greenhouse gas reduction targets, as part of the Company’s 2022 short-term incentive compensation program (“STI”). STI eligible employees extend deep into the organization encompassing the shoreside Manager and above leadership team.
• Created a formal governance structure to oversee and accelerate progress on climate action and decarbonization strategy consisting of the Decarbonization Executive Steering Committee and a Decarbonization Action Group.

The 2021 ESG Report and additional information on the Company’s global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, can be found on the Company’s website at http://nclhltd.com/sustainability.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with approximately 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to approximately 500 destinations worldwide. The Company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising approximately 24,000 berths.

About Sail & Sustain

Sail & Sustain is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ global sustainability program centered around its commitment to drive a positive impact on society and the environment while delivering on its vision to be the vacation of choice for everyone around the world. This program is structured around five pillars developed through cross-functional collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. The pillars include: Reducing Environmental Impact, Sailing Safely, Empowering People, Strengthening our Communities and Operating with Integrity and Accountability.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects, actions taken or strategies being considered with respect to our liquidity position, valuation and appraisals of our assets and objectives of management for future operations (including those regarding expected fleet additions, our ability to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our expectations regarding the impact of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, our expectations regarding cruise voyage occupancy, the implementation of and effectiveness of our health and safety protocols, operational position, demand for voyages, plans or goals for our sustainability program, ESG and decarbonization efforts, our expectations for future cash flows and profitability, financing opportunities and extensions, and future cost mitigation and cash conservation efforts and efforts to reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures) are forward-looking statements. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “future” and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of: the spread of epidemics, pandemics and viral outbreaks and specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises), which is expected to continue to adversely impact our results, operations, outlook, plans, goals, growth, reputation, cash flows, liquidity, demand for voyages and share price; implementing precautions in coordination with regulators and global public health authorities to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities we visit and to comply with regulatory restrictions related to the pandemic; legislation prohibiting companies from verifying vaccination status; our indebtedness and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that require us to maintain minimum levels of liquidity and be in compliance with maintenance covenants and otherwise limit our flexibility in operating our business, including the significant portion of assets that are collateral under these agreements; our ability to work with lenders and others or otherwise pursue options to defer, renegotiate, refinance or restructure our existing debt profile, near-term debt amortization, newbuild related payments and other obligations and to work with credit card processors to satisfy current or potential future demands for collateral on cash advanced from customers relating to future cruises; our need for additional financing or financing to optimize our balance sheet, which may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, and our outstanding exchangeable notes and any future financing which may be dilutive to existing shareholders; the unavailability of ports of call; future increases in the price of, or major changes or reduction in, commercial airline services; changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate, including new regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the accuracy of any appraisals of our assets as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise; our success in controlling operating expenses and capital expenditures; trends in, or changes to, future bookings and our ability to take future reservations and receive deposits related thereto; adverse events impacting the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict, such as Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, and threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events; adverse incidents involving cruise ships; adverse general economic and related factors, including as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine or otherwise, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of interest rates, inflation, unemployment, underemployment and the volatility of fuel prices, declines in the securities and real estate markets, and perceptions of these conditions that decrease the level of disposable income of consumers or consumer confidence; breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks or our actual or perceived failure to comply with requirements regarding data privacy and protection; changes in fuel prices and the type of fuel we are permitted to use and/or other cruise operating costs; mechanical malfunctions and repairs, delays in our shipbuilding program, maintenance and refurbishments and the consolidation of qualified shipyard facilities; the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally; our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel or employee relations issues; our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; any further impairment of our trademarks, trade names or goodwill; volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to borrow and could increase our counterparty credit risks, including those under our credit facilities, derivatives, contingent obligations, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees; our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services for certain ships and certain other services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our expansion into new markets and investments in new markets and land-based destination projects; overcapacity in key markets or globally; and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we expect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based, except as required by law.

ASATA is delighted with last night’s announcement that families with children between the ages of five and 12 years no longer need to provide a negative PCR test when returning to South Africa. Family travel is a significant segment for South Africa’s travel industry and without the option to vaccinate under 12 year olds, this has meant that families travelling overseas have been forced to bear additional expenses and inconvenience, deterring them from even travelling to destinations that do not in fact require a negative PCR test for under 12 year olds for entry. For travel to happen we need consistency and certainty. Consequently, we look forward to the finalisation of regulations in the next few months so that this is achieved.

Attribute to Robert More, Founder and CEO MORE Family Collection

We are delighted that SA Health Regulations issued overnight have removed the requirement for unvaccinated five to 12 year olds to have a negative PCR test to travel to South Africa. We have seen the pent-up demand from large family groups wanting to travel to South Africa grow recently and it has been a significant barrier to inbound travel for families, while competitors like East Africa have made it much easier and more accessible to travel to the destination. We are confident that with this change we will be in a position to inspire more families to visit our shores, which bodes well for our tourism industry’s recovery.

Attribute to Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson FEDHASA

FEDHASA welcomes the issuing of the interim regulations which have changed the requirement for families with children. Children between the ages of five and 12 years no longer need to provide a negative PCR test when travelling to South Africa. The regulations now only require this from children over 12 years of age. 

We are heartened that the Department appears to have listened to our industry’s calls for this regulation to be altered. Family travel being one of the pillars of inbound tourism to South Africa, this previous requirement had meant that SA had made itself unattractive to young families.  With the removal thereof we trust that we can once again start rebuilding ourselves as a destination of choice for families, to help our industry recover.

We do however question the continuing requirement of reduced gathering sizes which are not based in science and mean that many of the international events we would host in South Africa will now simply not be viable, which will result in further job losses in our industry. For any medium to long-term planning to take place and events business to be secured, we need certainty. Waiting another 3 months will means that we will be losing many event opportunities during this time. 

Certainty is the one ingredient that is essential for our industry to survive and thrive – we urge Government to lift the restrictions on events’ gathering sizes sooner than later and provide the certainty our industry requires to be able to be the job creator we could otherwise be.

We could be positioning South Africa as a leading meetings, incentives, conferencing, and events destination which would positively contribute towards alleviating the massive unemployment rate in our country, particularly the youth.

Attribute to David Frost, CEO SATSA

While we are delighted that the negative PCR test requirement for families with children aged five to 12 years has been removed, we are disappointed that our Department of Health has continued with regulations that have no scientific base such as the size of gatherings. This is especially galling since that same department took umbrage with the unscientific approach of overseas governments which put in place restrictions against South Africa with the discovery of the Omicron. Why then, when the shoe is on the same foot, do we do the same?

Zimbabwe has joined a growing list of African countries, including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, in dropping the PCR test requirement for inbound vaccinated travellers. Travel experts are hopeful that easier access to SADC countries will encourage the recovery of travel and tourism in Southern Africa. 

Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting announced on Twitter on Tuesday 29 March, that fully vaccinated travellers to the country could present a valid vaccination certificate upon entry instead of a negative PCR test. 

“It is fantastic news that Zimbabwe has made it easier for visitors to access one of Africa’s last untouched wilderness areas,” says Kate Powell, General Manager of Marketing, Sales and Reservations for the Zambezi Queen Collection, which offers unique river safaris on the Chobe River. 

“Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls is often an entry point for travellers to access Africa’s Eden, the world’s largest transfrontier conservation estate, the KAZA region, which looks after 19 national parks and protected wildlife areas within Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

“For South Africans who are desperate to use their passports yet are not ready for lengthy plane trips, exploring Africa’s Eden is a fantastic way to enjoy a bucket list holiday while supporting the recovery of regional travel and tourism,” says Powell. 

The Zambezi Queen Collection offers unique river safaris on the Chobe River, one of the regions contained within Africa’s Eden conservation area. The Chobe River is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, boasting one of the largest elephant populations on the continent. 

“There’s never been a better time to enjoy the incredibly unique experience of a river safari. 

For SADC passport holders only, we’re offering a saving of 45% on our all-inclusive packages on our houseboats (the luxurious Zambezi Queen or the smaller Chobe Princess houseboats, ideal for smaller groups accommodating just ten passengers) or at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. Accommodation, transfers, meals, drinks, expert guides and safari activities are all included. Valid for travel up until 30 June 2022 for the houseboats and up until 31 December 2022 for the lodge. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the wonder of Africa’s Eden for less,” concludes Powell. 

PRESS RELEASE

TOURISM BUSINESS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA SAYS 2022 OFF TO

AN OPTIMISTIC START FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES

PRETORIA, 1 FEBRUARY 2022 – South Africa’s tourism sector is clawing back its losses over the past two years, with the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) reporting that the sector’s December 2021 trading had reached 64% of December 2019 levels.

“We’re off to an optimistic start in 2022,” says Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO TBCSA. “Our domestic tourists were the driving force behind our tourism and hospitality businesses over December, but we are equally grateful to those inbound international visitors who were undeterred by Omicron media reports and travel restrictions and chose to travel anyway.”

South Africa’s travel and tourism sector seemed to be on the road to recovery towards the end of last year, until the discovery of the Omicron variant set it back substantially, the results of which are expected to be felt until March.

Despite this, the TBCSA is encouraged at the pace with which tourism business is improving. “This is a testament not only to the resilience of the industry which has largely borne the brunt of changing travel regulations globally, but indeed travel in general, as pent-up demand from our source markets means travellers are choosing to plan, book and travel within very short lead times,” says Tshivhengwa.

South Africa has a small window of opportunity to position itself as a favourable destination as other long-haul competitor destinations remain closed, he says. “Our focus must be on delivering ease of travel for our inbound international visitors and returning South Africans and this includes the removal of the requirement for PCR tests for fully vaccinated passengers travelling to or visiting South Africa. It is an impediment to travel because it is expensive and, in some cases, difficult for our travellers to obtain.”

Combined with ease of travel is the urgent requirement for South Africa and the destination’s value proposition to be marketed robustly in key source markets. “To that end, we are pleased to see the Global Advocacy campaign being rolled out by South African Tourism and partners which is aimed at highlighting the attractiveness and brand appeal of South Africa as a safe, affordable and welcoming tourism destination.” 

The TBCSA is encouraged by the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions including social distancing and contact tracing which it says have hampered the industry’s ability to get back to business. “While we await the full details of the changes, it is our fervent hope that the same premise influencing the lifting of social distancing and contact tracing for other parts of the economy will be applied to tourism and hospitality,” Tshivhengwa says.

While the industry walks its long road to recovery, Tshivhengwa urges business and government to reinstate their corporate travel programmes. “South Africa’s travel sector relies largely on corporate and government travel for its very survival. With the continued lifting of COVID restrictions and the industry’s solid commitment to duty of care, we believe 2022 is the year to get back to business travel. We urge our business and government partners to get back on the road so that South Africa’s economy gets the much-needed boost it needs,” Tshivhengwa concludes.

***Ends***

ABOUT TBCSA

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is the umbrella organisation representing the unified voice of business in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector.

The TBCSA was established in February 1996 by leading tourism businesses and associations to form a unified platform to engage with the South African government around the development of the sector. 

It is a not-for-profit, member-centric organisation mandated with the task of:

• Lobbying the public sector and behalf of its members
• Facilitating key industry programmes aimed at driving growth and development in the sector
• Monitoring and influencing macro-economic developments which impact on the sector
• The organisation serves to unite and influence the diverse travel and tourism sector to contribute to a competitive, responsible, and inclusive tourism economy. The work of the organisation and its strategy is guided by the following priority areas:
  • Providing organised business in the sector a route to Government
  • Focussing on legislative issues and policies impacting on the travel and tourism sector
  • Managing and growing TOMSA
  • Member engagement and Communication
  • Influencing the marketing of destination South Africa
  • Research – commissioning, collating, and communicating