Flight Delays In Europe Will Have Adverse Impact On Western Cape Tourism

Western Cape tourism authorities have sounded a warning that persistent flight delays in Europe due to bad weather could result in a R360 million loss for the industry in the province.

The recent flight delays have left thousands of travellers bound for South Africa stranded.

Tourism authorities say the losses in the industry will be felt in the accommodation, catering, transport and entertainment sectors.

According to the SABC Cape Town Routes Unlimited says that the tourism industry should prepare for a 10% decrease in international visitor numbers due to the big freeze in Europe. However, they say the industry should not be crippled as they are projecting a worst case scenario.

Routes Unlimited CEO Calvyn Gilfellan says the biggest influx of foreign tourists from Europe starts in January.

He says Europe accounts for roughly 60% of foreign arrivals but despite the weather challenges they will continue to market the Western Cape as a preferred destination for other world markets.

According to various reports, South African Airways (SAA) hosted two special flights from South Africa to London’s Heathrow Airport this morning.

The flights were dedicated to SAA passengers who have been grounded since the weekend following the cancellation of flights.

SAA spokesperson Fani Zulu said the first was expected to depart from Johannesburg at 9am and the other from Cape Town at 8.30am.

Zulu also says the airline will operate its normal schedule of flights which included three flights from South Africa to London and three flights from London to South Africa.

Sapa reports that SAA acknowledged that flights out of Heathrow will be a “bit of a challenge” because one of their planes waiting at Heathrow was grounded for repairs as the freezing weather led to water in the pipes freezing and pipes bursting.

Source: News Time (http://www.newstime.co.za/Business/Flight_Delays_In_Europe_Will_Have_Adverse_Impact_On_Western_Cape_Tourism__/17344/)