PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett Tourism is in the process of tallying the devastation caused by Covid-19 as the national lockdown restrictions are heading towards the fifth month.
Chief executive Marius Venter said the tourism industry is experiencing what they believe to be "the greatest reduction in business that we may see in our lifetimes".
"We watched with grave concern as the world shut their borders, ground their airlines and urged people to stay at home," Venter said, but added that they are not sitting back.
They have been thinking out of the box to keep some life in the industry by taking on a different role - that of helping the community to buffer against the economic impact of the virus.
So far, Plett Tourism has assisted with the opening and supply chain management of 63 soup kitchens in the Bitou area.
Along with the Plett Aid Foundation, Click Foundation, Sabrina Love Foundation and the Solidarity Fund, these kitchens have been able to feed 10 000 people.
"Plett was also the first town in South Africa to introduce free hand sanitiser, which was placed all around Plett in 5 000-litre tanks.
The placement of these tanks is in vulnerable areas, we can confirm that nine of these tanks are now currently active in the areas."
On the tourism front, CapeNature reopened Robberg Nature Reserve and Plett became home to the first live-streamed penguin release earlier this month. "Against the odds of the pandemic and lockdown, the team has worked hard to put together the sixth Plett Arts Festival," said Venter.
"Focused on La vida local, the first virtual event for Plett Tourism received funding from Wesgro which has kept our area's musicians, artists, actors and enthusiasts in the hearts and minds of Plettonians and lovers of Plett."
He noted that they were starting to see a rebuild of businesses and industries.
"It is tempting, and very human, to yearn to return to 'business as usual' as quickly as possible. But that return to normal is not and will not be realistic."
The tourism team has been hard at work conducting crucial industry research to enable them to introduce the official protocols, products and programmes needed to reopen their products.
"We continue to work with the Bitou Municipality, the Plett Business Chamber and other business leaders to keep the community safe and to respond to the needs of our residents.
"Our faith and working together will continue to provide us with the tools we need to stay ahead during difficult times."
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