An Appeal to Governments
Appeal for taking a “risk-based and scientific approach” to travel bans to Southern Africa with consideration of the devastating human implications following the announcement of the B.1.1.529 variant of COVID-19.
Africa’s Eden Tourism Association is a private sector, membership based organisation representing the tourism ecosystem in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
We are appealing to all governments who have imposed an immediate travel ban to consider the science regarding the new variant and to understand the cost of travel bans on the communities, conservation and economic recovery.
The World Health Organisation has cautioned against implementing travel barriers, calling for further research into the new variant. In an interview with World Health Organisation’s special envoy for COVID-19, David Nabarro stated that travel bans will most likely not stop the spread of the new variant and expressed dismay of the penalisation of Southern Africa for their transparency and rapid reporting. The WHO has gone further to say that travel bans have in the past not prevented the spread of variants and the best defense remains vaccination coupled with preventative measures and test and tracing.
The people of Southern Africa have been devastated by the announcement of not only the UK, but a list of countries including USA, Japan, Singapore, and members of the European Union to impose immediate travel bans to the region. This is a knee-jerk reaction. We implore governments to engage in consultation prior to making these decisions, with international organisations such as the WHO, and the leaders of those countries affected by the ban.
The Southern African region has been economically destroyed by the Covid 19 pandemic. The tourism industry, a primary generator of GDP and long term sustainability in the region has been especially hard hit. Tourism employed over 850,600 people in 2019 (WTTC, Economic Impact Report 2019) a figure since reduced by two thirds. For the first time since 2019, tourism facilities had reported significant occupancies and a positive forward booking outlook for 2022. The return to optimistic productivity was reversed in an instant on Friday 26th November 2021, and the full impact of this is yet to be determined.
We implore the global community to review their travel bans to the region with a focus on the human impact. Not only is the tourism economy deeply affected by the ban, leading to job losses and an impact on the socio-economic well-being of the region, but further longer-term implications such as conservation and biodiversity of the region is at stake – which will ultimately have an impact on global climate change. The region is home to one of the largest populations of african elephant, rhino, lion, wild dog and other red-list species as well as host to multiple UNESCO world heritage sites and one of the seven wonder’s, The Victoria Falls. In addition, the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), the largest transfrontier conservation area in the world, is at risk.
Preservation of this vulnerable and unique natural environment is primarily funded through tourism contribution, and continued travel bans will impact continued efforts to ensure the protection of these resources.
In most parts of the world people are looking forward to the holidays and finally after over two seasons of separation, families and friends could be reunited. The Southern African diaspora, most of whom have been double vaccinated, were looking forward to the fundamental right to meet and reunite with loved ones.
Africa’s Eden would like to praise organisations and countries that have heeded on science and cautious understanding towards the new variant by not imposing immediate bans. We would also like to praise and continue our partnership with the airlines that have assisted with repatriation and no penalty changes or refunds for travellers.
We look forward to welcoming you to Africa’s Eden once again.
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Jillian Blackbeard
CEO - Africa’s Eden Tourism Association
Show Your Support
Government of the UK: Consider the devastating implication of the emergency travel ban to Southern Africa.
A Message of Hope
Why we need to stand up proud and build trust and resilience in the tourism economy of Africa’s Eden
Africa’s Eden Tourism Association is a private sector, membership based organisation representing the tourism ecosystem in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In light of the catastrophic announcement of travel bans on Friday 26th November 2021 following the shared information from Southern African scientists of the B.1.1.529 variant of Covid-19, Africa’s Eden Tourism Association on behalf of our members offers sincere support and hope for our colleagues and guests.
The knee-jerk reaction done without consultation and consideration for the human element has led our community to once again to feel out of control. We believe that there is an opportunity to learn and build resilience into our tourism sector. The foremost factor being to ensure TRUST is created and maintained by our markets. We feel our industry has a role to play in making our destination more risk tolerant and in future able to weather storms much better.
Building confidence from our traveller’s includes:
- Supporting airlines that continue to fly in times of crisis;
- Measures that put in place emergency repatriation and flight changes with little additional costs;
- Engagement channels with governments and organisations taking decisions that affect tourism;
- Clear planning and ready implementation of “what-if scenarios”;
- Linking our destination with the positive image of travel, including community and conservation.
The hard fact remains, that we may undertake all of the above and still find ourselves challenged by crisis. As Africa’s Eden we believe there is hope and as a collective we can transform our tourism economy into a stronger, less vulnerable industry.
Building a resilient tourism economy in Africa’s Eden includes:
- Diversification and less reliance on traditional source markets;
- Growth in intra-African travel and focus on domestic/regional tourism;
- Awareness building of the destination in markets that have remained open;
- Implement internal measures to make businesses more shock-proof including localised supply chains and shorter procurement processes;
- Engage in competitive collaboration to provide a single, collective force for destination marketing, sales and change.
Our tourism industry, and the 850,000 people who are employed in the four countries will yet again undoubtably survive this new challenge. The time is now to move away from survival to assured sustainability, growth and strength.
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Jillian Blackbeard
CEO - Africa’s Eden Tourism Association
Resilience in the Face of a Challenge
Thanks to one of our members, Suzanne Elliott Smith who shared the below video clip of a tiny visitor on a windy day. In spite of being blown over - in true African style - he simply got back up again!
Victoria Falls, my home from home
By Dulcie Querl 29.11.21
Victoria Falls, my home from home,
Through the years she has only grown.
Saturday morning, we awoke to news
The world had turned their backs and their views.
Covid had hit back with a brand-new strain,
Africa was blamed for this giant pain.
Flights were cancelled, people left stranded,
Why on earth were we being branded.
Once again, the world has jumped to conclusions,
Are they dreaming up some sort of illusion?
Know your facts before playing this game,
We merely helped you we are not to blame.
Its easy to lay focus on countries so poor,
To leave us dying on the world-wide floor.
One by one, each country attacked,
Leaving Southern Africa completely trapped.
It was nice to see people buzzing around,
But now all they want are flights to be found.
From seeing the water, the animals and trees,
To turning around and wanting to flee.
Once again, a ghost town it will become,
There will be no tourists to hear the beat of drums.
The Tour Boats will sit stranded at the water docks,
Hotel rooms and restaurant doors will again be locked.
Jobs will be lost and people will leave,
To look elsewhere for work to achieve.
Tourism will suffer a massive big blow,
Local support is all we can show.
The falls is a place of immense beauty and grace,
Let’s not forget to support our mates.
They need us now more than ever,
We don’t want to lose this amazing treasure.
The show continued despite the upset,
Behind the smiles you can still see the fret.
Zimbabweans are resilient beyond compare,
We will make it through this case so unfair.
We won’t be forgotten, we won’t stand down,
We won’t go quietly with angry frowns.
To fight to the end, with fists of gold,
In our hearts immense pride is what we hold.
Africa's Eden Travel Association
Gaborone, Botswana
