Limpopo Tourism Agency [LTA] is deeply concerned about the rushed decision by some international destinations to put South Africa back on the red list. This is due to the newly detected Omicron variant of COVID-19.

These countries include the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Malaysia, Seychelles, Japan, European Union states, United States of America (USA), Australia, Egypt and Rwanda.

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This denotes that South Africans are barred from travelling to these countries while there will not be any flight. Other five countries from the SADC region that have also been red-listed are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

LTA is concerned as this decision by the UK will cause serious disruptions. With so many cancellations of bookings from these countries including the UK.

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The Acting CEO of LTA, Mr. Moses Ngobeni said: “What worries us even more is that this has a direct bearing on the economy as flights and accommodation of many prospective visitors to the province have been cancelled.

“We are confident that our government will engage with these countries. To have this impasse resolved so that travel is made possible to sustain our already ailing economy.

“This will also save several jobs in the tourism sector, which was hard hit by the pandemic. Most of our tourism facilities in the province already had bookings from some of these countries and this decision will undoubtedly scare other visitors away”.

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The entity will continue with its drive of the Summer Campaign to encourage the citizens of South Africa and Limpopo. To travel destination Limpopo to help resuscitate the economy and also grow domestic tourism.

“Limpopo will this weekend be abuzz with motorcycles from all parts of the country and beyond the borders. As the province will host another rally of Sapa Yopa on the 4th of December 2021.

“The bikers will descend the province from the 2nd November 2021. We really welcome this continued gesture by the leadership of Sapa Yopa. To make this province the home of their annual rally. As this boosts the economy while growing tourism in the province,” reiterated Ngobeni.

Ngobeni further said, “LTA will also send an activation team to North West Province, Sun City, at Gary Player Country Club from 2-5 December 2021 for the SA Open Championship.

LTA has partnered with Sunshine Tour for this event. We will use this as an opportunity to create awareness about destination Limpopo and what it has on offer to the golfers and non-golfers attending the event. We are confident that this will boost the numbers of domestic trips to our province”.