It’s ‘business unusual’ for the trade as all travel has come to a stop. However, some industry operators are optimistic that, when the lockdown is lifted, South Africans will be ready to travel domestically.
Clients have postponed their Easter bookings to travel in the weeks immediately following lockdown, says ceo of Thompsons Holidays, Joanne Adolphe. “International travel is subject to multiple border closure policies and we can’t predict when these restrictions will be relaxed. We therefore expect to see a surge in domestic bookings again once local restrictions ease off.”
The majority of packages promoted on Flight Centre Travel Group’s website are for future domestic trips, with customers indicating that they feel more comfortable about planning trips after September, says md Middle East and Africa, Andrew Stark.
It is a waiting game for the travel industry, with the revival of the industry based on a number of factors – border closure policies, and governmental decisions relating to the 2020 school calendar, says Kulula Holidays product and contracting manager, Wendy Goutier. Kulula Holidays bookings have been pushed out until after the end of April. “Many South Africans will be dealing with the economic consequences of salary cuts. It is unlikely that they will have disposable income available in the short term to be able to book holidays.”
