29/04/2020
Covid 19 ‘A glance into the Crisis, Pitfalls and Lessons for the Tourism Sector’
The world is faced with an unprecedented crisis of the corona virus (Covid 19) outbreak, which according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) , were first identified in the mid-1960s. It must be noted however that the impact of such high-profile shocks is not so dissimilar to other world crises, at least in terms of impact. Over the past two decades the world experienced horrific crises, amongst others the September 11, 2001 airline hijackings, Madrid train bombs 2004, disease pandemics (foot and mouth disease 2001, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS 2002 -3], Avian Influenza [H5N1] and now the Covid 19. If it can be underlined, all these crises take place at the background of an already fragile world economy facing multiple threats of their own.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) identifies tourism as one of the largest and fastest growing industries. In 2017, South Africa’s direct revenue from international tourism was in the region of just over R80 billion, welcoming at least 4.29 million foreign visitors into the country. This resilient industry contributes to the economy through income revenue, employment, infrastructural investment, fosters entrepreneurship and enables immense indirect benefits. The Covid 19 pandemic has prompted some destination management authorities, whether planned or unplanned to undertake preliminary plans to economic recovery. Major Cities, such as Durban’s recent proactive public stance to economic recovery have been a positive sign to repurpose, remodel and to a greater extent reposition the tourism industry’s role in socio-economic growth. This forward thinking and independent approach will be met with incredible strain as major tourism sub sectors such as the accommodation industry, meetings & conferencing, events & hospitality related sectors won’t be operational for a longer period even beyond lockdown.
Any attempt of economic recovery will evidently not be easy. The are several attributing reasons and sometimes pitfalls to this, to mention a few: destinations lacking any degree of disaster management or planning in relation to tourism, destinations lacking coping mechanism and strategies adopted as an integral part of destination management organizations. The latter can be effected through various stakeholder engagement forums, community tourism associations, small business forums, business chambers/associations and other stakeholder platforms. Rampant commercialization programmes, physical infrastructural development, rapid overdevelopment whilst neglecting regulation for sustainable development, commodifying of culture in the existential quest for economic recovery and wide of commodification of culture are some of pitfalls of post-pandemic recoveries. It is undeniable that, industry leaders and principals all yearn for a speedy recovery, however such pitfalls should be taken cognizance of. The overreliance on external donors and funders, partners, neglecting locals with equal capacity can erode public trust and entrench a feeling of disenfranchisement amongst the local actors in the economy.
It is recommended that in order to avoid pitfalls experienced in the past with similar crises around the world the following is taken into consideration; integrated stakeholder management forums be maintained to ensure implementation of coping and recovery plans , disaster management response strategies be developed , encourage diversified new projects between different industries, establishment of response personnel/ officers in regional tourism offices and psychological and advisory support offered as a means to support re-integration activities. There must be expansion from the traditional tourism offerings. New products must be developed, niche markets identified and intense efforts to develop the domestic tourism services be ensured. Funding of longitudinal studies to the tourism disaster management phenomena, and funding allocated for new tourism ideas.
Sthandiwe Mkhize
Chairman : Thinking Pair Group
Sthandiwe is a South African based tourism entrepreneur and strategist.
Website: www.thinkingpair.co.za
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