South Africans take to the air again under Level 2

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This has prompted a sharp jump in flight sales, which is a promising sign the travel industry is ready to start its journey to recovery. “Following the news on Saturday, there was an immediate spike in sales of domestic flights. It’s an encouraging sign that South Africans have eagerly been awaiting the opportunity to dust off their suitcases and start exploring the country once again," says Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair.

The long-awaited announcement has also brought joyous relief to the travel and tourism sector, which has taken a massive knock as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the country lost more than R68bn in tourism spend over the lockdown period between March and June alone.

“With the easing of restrictions comes the much-needed chance for the travel and tourism sector to start rebuilding. For the many small businesses that form the backbone of the country’s tourism industry, this is the chance they need, not only to survive, but to start breathing life back to the broader economy as well,” says Gordon.