COVID-19 NOTICE: Right now, we are all taking life day-by-day. Travel plans have to be cancelled and loved ones have to be separated by closed borders and travel bans. We don’t know what the next 6 months will look like. To keep my days in social distancing ticking over, I want to keep doing what I’ve always done. Keep sharing nice things I’ve seen and nice places I’ve been, and keep your and my travel dreams alive. Because one day, when we’re ready to poke our heads out of our front doors again, when planes are back in the sky and the travel bans are lifted, we will see more of the world together.
The hospitality industry is drowning while the world is banned from travelling
Whether you’re self-employed, work in corporate, or you’re an entrepreneur, you are most likely feeling the effects of COVID-19 in some way right now. Financially, socially, mentally – it’s a wild time. Of course, along with the anxiety and the many changes that we’re all tackling right now, many of us have had our travel plans cancelled or postponed and that’s disappointing. A very small price to pay when there are people losing their lives and being quarantined for months at a time, obviously, but a disappointment none the less.
South Africa’s tourism industry needs bookings to keep going
For the tourism industry however, the situation is much more serious than a simple disappointment. In South Africa, the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the biggest contributors to our economy, employing thousands and thousands of people who are right now wondering whether they’ll come out on the other side of this with their livelihoods still intact. So while having a holiday cancelled is an inconvenience to us, it’s a catastrophe to them.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the 2018 contribution of the tourism sector in South Africa, directly accounted for 2.8% of real gross domestic product (GDP), which amounts to R139 billion and this was projected to grow to R145,3 billion for 2019.
Source: www.gov.za/about-sa/tourism
In order to cover their basics while the world self isolates, many resorts and hotels are offering dramatically reduced rates to travellers who book and pay for their trips now, and travel later. While we’re all staying home, isolating, not spending the money we would normally be spending on nights out and trips abroad, we can help the industry by booking a trip and giving ourselves something to look forward to. If you were planning to travel later this year, consider booking now to save money and help save the travel industry.
Book now, travel later
Rare Earth Retreats have 7 properties around South Africa, in Cape Town, the Kruger National Park, Welgevonden Private Reserve and Plettenberg Bay. To keep their properties ticking over during the travel lockdown, they are offering up to 80% OFF on bookings paid for before the 30th of June 2020. Travel dates are flexible, so any booking made in this period can be postponed or changed until the 15th of December 2020.
Book any time before 30 June 2020 and save up to 80%
SAVE UP TO 80% ON A STAY AT CAPE VIEW CLIFTON. and other five star Rare Earth Retreats properties in the Kruger National Park, Plettenberg Bay and Welgevonden Private Reserve. T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020.Use code TOAM to apply the discount and receive a free bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter.
Cape View Clifton | Save 80%
Book your stay from R2 500.00 per room per night, including breakfast (you save 80%). T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020. Use code TOAM to receive the discount PLUS a complimentary bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter. BOOK NOW
The Outpost | Save 60%
The Outpost Lodge | Kruger National Park | from R 3 100.00 per person per night sharing, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 game drives per day (you save 60%). T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020. Use code TOAM to receive the discount PLUS a complimentary bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter. BOOK NOW
Staying at The Outpost in the Kruger National Park
Ekuthuleni Lodge | Save 60%
Ekuthuleni Lodge | Welgevonden Private Reserve | from R 2 200.00 per night including breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 game drives per day (you save 60%). T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020. Use code TOAM to receive the discount PLUS a complimentary bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter. BOOK NOW
Staying at Ekuthuleni at Welgevondgen Private Reserve
Tshwne Lodge | Save 60%
Tshwene Lodge | Welgevonden Private Reserve | from R 2 200.00 per night including breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 game drives per day (you save 60%). T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020. Use code TOAM to receive the discount PLUS a complimentary bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter. BOOK NOW
The Old Rectory | Save 65%
The Old Rectory | Plettenberg Bay | | from R3 000.00 per room per night, including breakfast (you save 65%). T&C’s apply: BOOK NOW, TRAVEL LATER. Book and pay by 30 June 2020 and travel any time before 15 December 2020. Use code TOAM to receive the discount PLUS a complimentary bottle of MCC, a romantic turndown and a snack platter. BOOK NOW
*Personally, I am suffering financially during this uncertain time. This post contains an affiliate code which will help me earn a small amount from every booking.
2 comments
I think promoting offers to the domestic market now, especially self- drive, is great, but suggesting people book for the future may be a risk. They may not do it anyhow, for concern over whether the business will still be in business, and whether it will be safe, or even allowed to travel. Sadly I think this is going to be with us for maybe 12 months
Cape view is looking VERY appealing right now…