Panorama of Cape Town, South Africa. The city beach against magnificent mountains Copyright: kavram

South Africa’s tourism industry has been pivotal in driving the country’s economy over the last few decades and the advent of a pandemic has severely hampered a once-thriving industry.

The variant discovered here in South Africa, 501Y.V2 has raised alarms overseas with many countries blacklisting South Africa and barring travellers from entering while the international tourism market here at home is also lagging tremendously.

In a move to entice international clientele to tour South Africa’s beautiful landscapes once more, tourism workers on the frontline are set to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine. This will give more confidence to tourists who wish to travel here knowing their tour guide operator, flight attendant or hotel valet has been vaccinated, presenting a lower risk of Covid-19.

Presentation of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan by Tourism Minister @mmKubayiNgubane taking place live at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gautenghttps://t.co/emYx85yaqt#WeDoTourism #TourismRecovery

— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) April 22, 2021

The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) has approved the proposal as confirmed by Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa in a media briefing last week. According to Tshivhengwa, only the finer details need to be ironed out but the decision has been made and the plan is in motion.

“We are now waiting on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to decide on how and when this will be rolled out,” said Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa,