The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a complete collapse in global travel in 2020, which resulted in an estimated loss of USD 1.3 trillion in export revenue. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that the pandemic has placed at least 100 million direct tourism jobs at risk. 

On 15 March 2020, the South African Government declared a national state of disaster in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A nationwide lockdown came into effect which resulted in border closures and a complete standstill in tourism activity. In line with governments risk adjusted strategy, limited tourism activity was introduced as of 1 June 2020, and international borders re-opened on 1 October 2020. However, stricter lockdown regulations were re-introduced in December due to a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The tourism industry was particularly affected by the closing of beaches and the ban on alcohol sales during this period. This report highlights the findings from a survey undertaken with tourism businesses in February 2021 to understand the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations have had on tourism in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo region over the 2020/21 Festive Season.