9.1 Study the information below taken from the TBCSA's Covid-19 protocols for the tourism industry and answer the questions that follow - NSC Tourism - Question 9 - 2021

The TBCSA specified these protocols to ensure that tourism businesses adhered to government policies while mitigating the impacts of the crisis on the tourism sector. The protocols provide standardized guidelines that protect both staff and customers, ensuring safety during operations and helping the sector to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The four protocols impacting staff at tourism businesses include:

1. Designated health and safety officer
2. Staff training and information on Covid-19
3. Adherence to physical distancing standards
4. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by staff.

Two negative consequences for the accommodation sector due to access and capacity controls include:

1. Increased operational costs related to compulsory screening and training, which diverted resources that could have been allocated elsewhere.
2. Capacity restrictions significantly limited the number of guests, impacting profitability and potentially leading to temporary closures for smaller establishments.

Two reasons for insisting on proof of a negative Covid-19 test result are:

1. It helps ensure that travelers are not carriers of the virus, thereby protecting the health of the local population.
2. It allows tourists to access various tourist facilities and services without the risk of spreading the virus, promoting safer tourism operations.

The trend in inbound tourist markets in South Africa in 2020 shows a decline or negative decrease in tourists, with a total drop of 10.2% across various regions.

To rejuvenate the tourism industry in South Africa post-Covid-19, SATourism could:

1. Collaborate with the government to implement a comprehensive recovery plan addressing all stakeholders in the tourism sector.
2. Provide financial support to tourism businesses to safeguard infrastructure and preserve jobs.
3. Promote domestic tourism by encouraging locals to travel and explore their own country through marketing campaigns.
4. Foster partnerships with neighboring countries to facilitate cross-border tourism, re-establishing South Africa as a key destination in the region.