ASATA CEO Otto de Vries is calling for an immediate extension of the UIF’s TERS relief funding to help travel businesses cope with the fallout caused by the emergence of the Omicron variant and the sudden and sweeping travel bans that have been imposed against Southern Africa since it was identified by local scientists last week.
ASATA hopes that enough data and scientific evidence can be presented to overseas decision-makers to have all the new restrictions lifted within two weeks. The association is involved in a co-ordinated response from the industry to have all travel bans lifted and to prevent future disruption.
The association says it also fully supports making vaccinations mandatory in South Africa. De Vries encouraged every tourism worker to get their jab and become part of the solution rather than remain part of the problem. “Vaccinations are the only basis upon which we can rebuild our industry and save your jobs,” he said.
Addressing the confusion over flight changes specifically, Otto told agents: “Assume anything that is supposedly scheduled will be operating as a repatriation flight” for the rest of the week.
Watch this morning’s interview with Asata’s CEO:
