#SouthAfricaisTravelReady
According to the CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, there are strong expectations that domestic leisure tourism will open “very soon” followed by international inbound tourism as early as September this year. Click here to read the full article.

TSOGO SUN UPDATE
Tsogo Sun Hotels is set to take over the Mount Grace in Magaliesburg, the Edward in Durban and the Protea Hotel Hazyview in Mpumalanga and is committed to their long-term sustainability. This follows news last week that global hotel group, Marriott International, was permanently shutting the doors of these 3 hotels as a result of the economic fallout around COVID-19. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last Wednesday that registered and licensed accommodation facilities would be allowed to open under Advanced Level 3 lockdown regulations, but there is still no clarity as to when this will be implemented and under what circumstances.

LIMPOPO: KAPAMA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE UPDATE
The Kapama Private Game Reserve which is situated between Blyde River Canyon and the Kruger National Park near Hoedspruit, is using lockdown level 3 as an opportunity to start the refurbishment of Kapama River Lodge. Kapama maintains a practice of regular refurbishments, keeping up the high standards for which the brand is renowned. Refurbishment of the lounge and pool deck will be completed in June and the 2 Royal Suites will be upgraded. 33 of the standard suites will be converted into deluxe suites and all work is scheduled to be completed by 15 December. This follows the successful first phase of refurbishment, which included the new River Lodge reception area, game drive access bays, cocktail bar and pool.

NORTH WEST: SUN INTERNATIONAL READY TO REOPEN
Following the further easing in South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, Hospitality group Sun International can now prepare to reopen its resorts, hotels, casinos and restaurants. In a national address on Wednesday 17 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that restrictions would be further scaled back to allow restaurants to reopen for ‘sit-down’ meals while licensed accommodation could resuming welcoming guests, conferences and meetings for business purposes can also resume in line with restrictions on public gatherings, as can cinemas and theatres, casinos as well as personal care services, including hairdressers and beauty salons. The Sun International group is set to stagger the reopening of its properties across the country, subject to regulatory guidance.

KENYA: TRAVEL UPDATE
Tourist parks remain closed to international visitors, however, Kenya is not standing still and are creating new exciting opportunities for when travellers return in the not too distant future. Kenya Airways has again postponed taking to the skies after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the nationwide lockdown measures would remain in place until July 6. The airline has not indicated when passenger flights will resume, but all international passenger flights are suspended until 7 July. The airline recently started cargo flights to the United Arab Emirates to generate more income from freight following the grounding of passenger services.

RWANDA: TRAVEL UPDATE
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is pleased to announce the reopening of tourism activities as well as the resumption of international travel for charter flights, effective 17 June 2020. The well-being of all travellers remains a top priority and therefore robust health and safety guidelines have been put in place. All visitors travelling by charter flights are expected to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before arrival. Tourists will take a second COVID-19 test before visiting any tourist attraction.

TANZANIA READIES FOR MORE TOURISTS
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has launched national Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) after Tanzania opened its borders in May. The procedures ensure that arriving tourists do not bring in COVID-19, do not contract it, that all service providers remain safe and that tourists leave the country safe after their visit. According to the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hamisi Kigwangalla, “We are now ready to be back in business and tourists have started arriving, more bookings are made and major airlines will start jetting in.” Tourism entities are to create a disposal mechanism for masks and other protective equipment that comply with recommended national health and safety standards and environmental considerations. The SOPs were prepared by the ministry in collaboration with tour agencies and operators under the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators. All 3 international airports including Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar are open. KLM will resume flights from 14 July 2020. There is no COVID-19 test or quarantine upon arrival, there is only a control of the body temperature upon arrival. There are established medical centres at both Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Area. All airport staff will wear masks and gloves and there are sanitizer products in quantity inside the airports.

UGANDA: TRAVEL UPDATE
As of 5 June 2020, all National Parks are open. Tourists shall be required to provide a certificate that shows that they are COVID-19 negative, either provided by the MoH or the relevant authority from the country most recently visited. All tourists shall be expected to come with their masks and temperature screening will be done at the key tourism gates of the different National Parks.


Click on the links for more information

Eastern Cape
Grahamstown National Arts Festival from 25 June to 5 July

Free State
Free State Wine Show from 31 July to 1 August 2020

Gauteng
Soweto Marathon on 1 November 2020 (Exact dates to be confirmed)

KwaZulu-Natal
Vodacom Durban July on 4 July 2020

Mpumalanga
Skukuza Half Marathon on 1 August 2020

Western Cape
Knysna Oyster Festival from 26 June to 5 July 2020 (Postponed)
Franschhoek Bastille Festival from 13 to 14 July 2020
AfricaCom from 10 to 12 November 2020
Cap Classique and Champagne Festival from 30 November to 1 December 2020
Mining Indaba from 8 to 11 February 2021
Budget Speech 17 or 24th Feb 2021 (Tentative dates)
SONA (State of the Nation Address) Date to be confirmed


PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Please note that our offices will be closed on the following Public Holidays:
Sunday, 9 August 2020 – National Women’s Day
Thursday, 24 September – Heritage Day
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 – Day of Reconciliation