Profitroom: A booking platform for hotels and resorts

 A recent performance plan by the Department of Tourism indicates that tourism contributed 8.6% to South Africa's pre-Covid-19 GDP or economic growth. While the pandemic has significantly reduced that number, it is estimated that by 2032 the sector could become a key driver of economic growth, contributing 800 000 jobs and generating R287 billion.

But one of the things that could stand in the way of that recovery is the climate crisis.Tourism is one of the industries most vulnerable to climate change, and South Africa’s tourism industry has already felt the effects. Natural disasters can be devastating, as demonstrated by the drought in Cape Town and the floods in KwaZulu-Natal, which are both major tourism hubs in South Africa.

Guest: Leigh Myles, Business Development Manager for Africa at 

No need to panic, yet

While the Day Zero Crisis in Cape Town and the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal that led to badly polluted beaches may have had an impact on tourism in those places, both have shown resilience.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) reported that occupancy rates across the province were at 81% for the festive season last year. Cape Town has also shown impressive visitor numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But that does not mean things are destined to stay that way.

It’s clear that climate change is affecting tourism in South Africa in many ways. Temperature increases and droughts affect wildlife and biodiversity, which could spell disaster for a country that prides itself on being home to the big five.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news24.com/amp/fin24/climate_future/news/opinion-travelling-green-how-climate-change-affects-the-tourism-industry-20230306