Covid-19 halts tourism

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Covid-19 dug its claws deep into the pocket of Graaff-Reinet's tourism industry. According to chief executive officer of the Graaff-Reinet Tourism Organisation, Jack van Niekerk, all the local guesthouses, lodges and hotels are closed due to the lockdown.

"Some of the guesthouses have indicated that they will have to close, as they simply can no longer cope due to the loss in bookings," Van Niekerk said. "According to some of our members, bookings for the rest of the year seem very slow."

Van Niekerk added that some travellers moved their reservations or took credit to make their reservations at a later date. Many requested their deposits back and no one is making reservations at the moment, because there is uncertainty as to whether the lockdown will be lifted on 17 April or be extended.

Apart from the more or less 1 200 empty beds at guest houses, 10 restaurants as well as 10 other tourism-registered business had to close their doors during this period.

With so many beds at guesthouses empty for the 21-day lockdown period, tourism shows a loss of at least R3,4-million. This does not include tourists staying at non-registered overnight places, as well as tourists passing through Graaff-Reinet spending time visiting museums, shops, garages and tourist-related places.

Van Niekerk explains that, after the agricultural industry, tourism is the second largest industry in this area. These losses also affect other businesses.

"Last year was already a very difficult year for tourism. International visitors travel less to countries during an election year. The drought in our area, as well as Eskom's load shedding, also had a tremendous negative impact on the industry. Then there is the economic recession and now Covid-19," said Van Niekerk.

Government fund no certainty
"The government has a small and medium-sized enterprise fund set up. The guesthouses and other businesses can apply for financial assistance, but there are certain conditions involved and consequently, the businesses do not know if they will receive any assistance. It is also a drop in the bucket," Van Niekerk explained.

The business owners are also in the dark as to how long it will take to get financial assistance from this fund.

Lockdown has shut the door of the Graaff-Reinet Tourism Organisation's offices on Church Street.

The Graaff-Reinet Tourism Organisation is dependent on membership fees for survival as it doesn't get any financial assistance. The Local Tourism Organisation (LTO), where they usually apply for financial support, has not received any financial assistance from the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality for years.

While tourism in and around Graaff-Reinet faces tremendous challenges, no one knows for sure what lies ahead. Once it is known when the lockdown will be lifted, Graaff-Reinet Tourism can start fixing dates for functions and festivals to attract visitors to the area.