SATSA members operating in Cape Town report that it is business as usual.
CAPE TOWN – SATSA’s industry WhatsApp groups have been highly active, as tourism stakeholders share on-the-ground updates and up-to-date advice to help smooth the way for fellow operators to travel to and from Cape Town International Airport. This in response to the disruption caused by the ongoing taxi strike in and around Cape Town, which affected travel around the airport this morning.
Oupa Pilane, SATSA Chair.
“Our members have been actively helping each other navigate these disruptions to limit the impact on guests, who are arriving and departing on domestic and international flights. However, while we have an excellent community of stakeholders who are mitigating the impact on travellers, we are not immune as a destination to the longer-term impacts of such a strike
and resulting acts of violence,” says Oupa Pilane, SATSA Chair.
“It is a great pity that Capetonians and visiting tourists must endure this disturbance. For tourism, however, the implications are far greater than a short-term inconvenience and safety implications for guests and staff, to whom we are deeply thankful for making every effort to keep the tourism industry functioning despite the challenges they face.”
In the medium to long term, this is particularly damaging from a destination reputation perspective, says Pilane. Illustrating this, the UK Government has already issued an advisory about the strikes, warning travellers about the disruption and violence.
“When one considers that just a few weeks ago Cape Town was listed the #1 city in the world by the Telegraph Travel Awards, this kind of behaviour does tourism and its ability to contribute to the economy and job creation no favours,” Pilane continues.
SATSA members operating in Cape Town report that it is business as usual. “The tourism industry is incredibly resilient and used to dealing with crises. As usual, we will handle this one professionally and do everything we can to ensure that our guests’ experience is as smooth and safe as possible so that they have an exceptional stay in the Mother City, return and tell others of their positive experience,” Pilane concludes.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
