CAPE TOWN, 7 AUGUST 2023 – SATSA’s industry WhatsApp groups have been highly active today, as tourism stakeholders share on-the-ground updates and up-to-date advice to help smooth the way for fellow operators to travel to and from Cape Town International Airport.
This in response to the disruption caused by the ongoing taxi strike in and around Cape Town, which affected travel around the airport this morning.
“Our members have been actively helping each other navigate these disruptions to limit the impact on guests, who are arriving and departing on domestic and international flights. However, while we have an excellent community of stakeholders who are mitigating the impact on travellers, we are not immune as a destination to the longer-term impacts of such a strike and resulting acts of violence,” says Oupa Pilane, SATSA Chair.
“It is a great pity that Capetonians and visiting tourists must endure this disturbance. For tourism, however, the implications are far greater than a short-term inconvenience and safety implications for guests and staff, to whom we are deeply thankful for making every effort to keep the tourism industry functioning despite the challenges they face.”
In the medium to long term, this is particularly damaging from a destination reputation perspective, says Pilane. Illustrating this, the UK Government has already issued an advisory about the strikes, warning travellers about the disruption and violence.
“When one considers that just a few weeks ago Cape Town was listed the #1 city in the world by the Telegraph Travel Awards, this kind of behaviour does tourism and its ability to contribute to the economy and job creation no favours,” Pilane continues.
SATSA members operating in Cape Town report that it is business as usual. “The tourism industry is incredibly resilient and used to dealing with crises. As usual, we will handle this one professionally and do everything we can to ensure that our guests’ experience is as smooth and safe as possible so that they have an exceptional stay in the Mother City, return and tell others of their positive experience,” Pilane concludes.
About SATSA
SATSA, the voice of inbound tourism, is a member-driven association that offers inbound tourism services companies the highest level of quality in the tourism industry. At SATSA, we strive to maintain our three key qualities in all the work we do: credibility, value and authority. SATSA further provides support to members who require key services and benefits on a local and regional level, and at international trade shows. The organisation also lobbies issues associated and affecting the inbound tourism industry.
Issued by:
Big Ambitions
Kim Taylor
kim@bigambitions.co.za
076 825 5508
