EDITOR’S COMMENT
As I sit here writing my last comment for this most challenging year, I have a sense of peace and hope. The world keeps spinning and will continue to do so, regardless.
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omething that I suppose I’ve been avoiding, owing to the uncertainty of the last two years and thanks to Covid-19. We have all been living in a time of uncertainty, but honestly, the discovery of the new Omicron variant caused much of a stir. The world certainly reacted rather hastily by immediately putting South Africa on redslists most countries around we and approach the end of year, the I am world cautiously applied new travel bans on our I’m optimistic. Personally, country. feeling a lot more upbeat. However, whatevents I haveindustry read about this new The business is slowly variant is that even it seems to be a emerging from an though enforced hibernation. lot more contagious, itsan symptoms I am definitely seeing increaseare in a lot
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milder. Unfortunately, it seems to be impactingevents the children moreofthis physical in all parts thetime industry. around but, again due to the the different milder It is fantastic to observe conditions, it isn’t as ‘deadly’ as previous sectors in our industry starting up again. strains. The past few weeks have been amazing. If you read up on the Spanish flu on I’ve been following industry leaders pandemic, whichdoing occured overthey a century social platforms what do best ago, are some similarities. — bethere it exhibitions, incentives, The good news is that at theevents. end of The thatindustry pandemic, conferences and has the variants were contagious, been waiting for more so long and all it but tooka lot milder. was a green light from government! So, could this be beginning the end After months of the despair, finallyofthere is of the Covid-19 pandemic? renewed positivity in the industry. One Ofpositive course, Iisam noSouth prophet, butisI have big that Africa now to believeoff things areofchanging for travel the better finally most the world’s red — callincluding me the eternal lists, the UK.optimist. Quite frankly, we have survived thus farTourism and have The recent Africa’s Travel and learnt to (ATTS) live with Covid-19 whichever Summit also set the and scene for variantistranspires. what to come. If anything, I get the I suppose that feeling thatthe ourannouncement continent – the continent Meetings and realising Africa’s Travel Indaba is of Africa –Africa is finally its own all set for in 2022, has alsothe given me African much strength unity. Over years, hope that have our industry slowlyto getting countries always islooked other back on track. can’t wait forbusiness Meetings continents for Itourism and Africa. Itwhile, is my in most events fact,favourite its ownindustry African show. Nextwere year’soverlooked. show will be even better countries asThere it willisgenuinely a reunion of still a no doubtbethat there are colleagues, industrylike friends African lot of challenges, airlift,and visa partners. restrictions, etc. As always, issue features the annual One of thethis challenges addressed during Industry Insights. I would like toand thank all ATTS is that tourism/incentive our contributors, aspackages I know it isinathe huge ask conference/events past
for anyone to provide their thoughts on have always been what thetofuture geared the may bring. What European orI would like to mention is that American markets. If our sector remains we, Africans, would cautiously optimistic like to cater for our own African visitors withshould regardpackage to the coming year. we it differently. As I reflect on this I sit Over the past fewannus years,horribilis, our industry here wondering what theofnew year about leaders have done a lot talking portends? the issue of airlift within our continent as Quite wish I had moreAfrica answers. well as honestly, the issue Iof visas within for I know that Souththat Africans Africans, I hope ATTS are hasresilient ignitedand a our sector has where certainly provenairlines its resilience new chapter, African look andnew gritroutes in thesewithin most the challenging times. at continent and As I mentioned few months I still finally breakathose barriersago, which have believe wetravel need within to partner more with our hindered Africa. fellow Africanwe countries. We need Of course, would all love to to see strengthen ourdelegates bond and,and in so doing, international tourists together rise stronger ever us return towe ourwill shores but whatthan prevents before.The time new is now for Africa, let’sour rise from exploring markets within together! The Covid-19 pandemic has continent? From the Contact Publications team and I, taught us that we are able to collaborate to thank awelotwould betterlike if we keep you the for all your support over thisstreams tumultuous year and our wish communication open within you much more prosperity, continent. The time is now,peace, Africahope is open andbusiness certaintyand in the new year! African! for I am proudly
Irene
Email: gomesi@iafrica.com
Credit: Hein Liebetrau Credit: Hein Liebetrau
Resilience in uncertain times Africa is open for business
