Leaders in the local tourism industry are eager to receive visitors again after the minister of tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, announced that intra-provincial leisure travel would resume.
“We are so relieved that we have reached the first step towards the opening up of tourism in South Africa. We have been ready for so long,” said Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch to MatieMedia, following the minister’s announcement.
In Kubayi-Ngubane’s announcement on 31 July, she said that once the latest gazette has been published, the changes made for intra-provincial leisure travel will be set into effect.
To ensure that Stellenbosch is ready, an initiative that Visit Stellenbosch is running, Stellenbosch Ready, ensures that three critical guest needs are met.
According to their website, these include “World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) validated health and safety protocols, adoption of health and safety protocols through staff training and flexible booking terms”.
According to Momberg, Stellenbosch Ready is very closely aligned with the safety protocols of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
“We have worked very closely with the TBCSA to get all protocols in place,” said Momberg.
Stellenbosch is ready for visitors to arrive. Health and safety protocols have been put into place by Visit Stellenbosch to ensure visitors safety. PHOTO: Supplied/Alfred Thorpe
The announcement for the resumption of intra-provincial leisure travel comes as the WTTC awarded Stellenbosch the Safe Travels Stamp, during July, making the town the first destination in sub-Saharan Africa to receive this international validation.
“Stellenbosch as a destination is ready to receive our visitors and to show them that we are a safe and responsible destination,” Momberg said.
According to Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality’s spokesperson, the municipality welcomes the opening of the tourism sector.
“[T]ourism is a key contributor to our local economy and sustains many jobs in the hospitality industry,” said Grobbelaar.
Victoria Street during Autumn. Keep an eye out for the Stellenbosch Ready stamp and you’ll know you’re in safe hands. PHOTO: Supplied/Franna Lombard
One Stellenbosch resident, Tashreeq Raziet, said he understands that the economy needs to open, but feels on edge as there is a lot of uncertainty about Covid-19.
“My biggest fear and biggest concern are people not adhering to the rules and regulations set out,” he said.
Raziet said that he has seen people around Stellenbosch not adhering to the rules the president and the government has set out.
“That’s something that some people just don’t care about at times and that’s when you put yourself at risk,” said Raziet.
Hand sanitiser being sprayed onto hands. Jeanneret Momberg said Stellenbosch needs people to feel safe to go out. PHOTO: Supplied/Alfred Thorpe
Regarding ensuring the safety of Stellenbosch residents, Grobbelaar said that safety is a national competency under SAPS.
“[A]s far as the municipality is concerned, we can only play a supportive role through our law enforcement and Stellenbosch Safety Initiative (SSI) partners (private security, campus security, SAPS and Law Enforcement),” said Grobbelaar.
Intra-provincial leisure travel will be allowed under new level 3 regulations. GRAPHIC: Wilné van Rooyen