Glenda Daniels
There are now 1 300 fewer seats on international flights each week for foreign tourists to jet into South Africa.
In just three months several airlines have left South Africa for more lucrative shores with serious economic consequences.
Sabena and Austrian airlines left earlier this year and now two more Alitalia and Air Portugal are poised to follow suit. Departures over the past few years have included Air India, Gulf Air and Balkan Airlines.
Each foreign tourist is estimated to spend $100 a day in South Africa. With the loss of seats, the country could lose up to R50-million a year in potential expenditure from travellers, says Juan van Rensburg, chair of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa.
According to international airlines, several issues lie at the heart of the problem: the strong dollar compared to the ever-weakening rand, volatile fuel prices, disincentives for tourists, such as the newly introduced airport departure tax, crime against tourists, the poor quality of service and the political situation in Zimbabwe negatively affecting South Africa’s image.
Industry analysts say part of the problem is the devaluation of the rand by 22% over the past year. Revenue growth has not kept up with devaluation of currency. When the negative trend stops, international airlines may find South Africa a more viable destination.
Van Rensburg says there has been a growth in the number of international passengers but not to the extent needed to recover costs or even make a profit.
He says international airlines believe that the South African government should also improve safety measures for tourists, service delivery and the quality of services and goods, transport and infrastructure for tourists.
“Dubai, for instance, is a great tourist destination because it is planning ahead, working on producing infrastructure for the years 2025 to 2030. We are lazy here we have to deliver quality service,” he said.
“Many services and products here are too expensive for the bad quality you get, if you compare us with the Maldives, Australia or the Caribbean islands, where there is good infrastructure for tourists.”
The South African government believes that for every tourist visiting South Africa, eight jobs are created. In an attempt to improve development through tourism and showcase South Africa as a desirable destination, the Government Com-munication and Infor-mation System is about to launch a massive tourist drive.
It kicks off on a high note in London next month with the “Celebrate South Africa” campaign.
South African high commissioner to Britain Cheryl Carolus said the intention for the six-week celebration is to highlight what is “excellent” about South Africa.
Because of the support the Anti-Apartheid Movement had enjoyed in Britain, and because the country is South Africa’s largest trade and investment partner, the festival is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship between the two countries.
As planning has proceeded, the results have been “astounding”. London’s Globe Theatre will now open its summer season with Umabatha, “The Zulu Macbeth”. The National Film Theatre is hosting a month-long programme of South African film, while the Royal Festival Hall will be the venue on Freedom Day for a night of theatre and music from South Africa.
The festival will include an education programme in schools near South Africa House, an exhibition of innovation and technology, a fashion show, an showcase for crafts and a dance programme.
The festival starts with an open-air concert in central London, and the smell of braaied boerewors is expected to waft over the city.
“South Africa is a world-class country and we want to show people that we have come a long way since the days of apartheid and that we have succeeded because of our people,” Carolus said.