Mitigating COVID-19 in tourism: evaluating South African government's response

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism industry, with a focus on South Africa. The study examines the mitigation strategies implemented by the National Department of Tourism, using the Results-Based Management (RBM) method. Compared with a selection of other countries, the findings show that South Africa implemented effective interventions to support the tourism industry during the pandemic. The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) provided aid to vulnerable businesses, while the Relief Fund for Tourist Guides helped freelancers. The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (TSRP) fostered cooperation between the government and the private sector to support the sector's long-term recovery. Although there were implementation challenges, the interventions achieved their objectives, and their compatibility with national and international programs demonstrated their effectiveness. However, some businesses did not receive funding due to the inadequate capitalization of the TRF. Overall, the study highlights the importance of efficient resource utilisation in managing crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.