Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
Question by:
Hon Noko Masipa
Answered by:
Hon Ivan Meyer
Question Number:
27
Question Body:
- (a) How many tourism (i) facilities or (ii) attractions have been directly affected by fires during the 2025/26 fire season to date and (b) for what duration were any of these facilities closed to visitors;
- what assessment has his Department made of the economic impact of the fires on the tourism sector, including (a) any estimated revenue losses in affected regions and (b) how this compares to previous fire seasons;
- (a) what measures have been implemented to support the affected tourism businesses and operators and (b) how many enterprises have benefited from such interventions;
- (a) what communication initiatives have been undertaken to reassure visitors and to protect the province’s tourism reputation during the fire season and (b) what outcomes have resulted from these efforts;
- (a) what recovery timelines have been established for the affected tourism areas and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure full operational readiness ahead of the peak summer tourism season?
Answer Body:
- a) and b): The Department does not have comprehensive data at hand and is only aware of specific destinations, facilities and attractions that have been brought to its attention.
- No such assessment was conducted, however, according to CapeNature the entity experienced 112 booking cancellations and had to issue 69 refunds to the value of R404 346.50 due to the immediate impacts of the fires in the Cederberg Complex and Limietberg.
- No immediate measures have been implemented; however, the Department notes that qualifying tourism facilities may apply for support with the rehabilitation of infrastructure and equipment through the Tourism Growth Fund once the fund reopens for applications in the new financial year.
- The Department undertakes general visitor safety advice and does not communicate directly with industry from a destination reputation perspective since this function is undertaken by Wesgro. Wesgro is in constant contact with industry bodies such as the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association and assists with the preparation of travel advisories and the fielding of industry questions when required. As it stands, there is no indication that international bookings have been affected for the remainder of the summer/ autumn season; however, this does not account for the current crisis unfolding in the Middle East.
- Unfortunately, the Department cannot respond to this question because recovery will be different for affected destinations, attractions and facilities. In some instances, repair work has already been completed, while in other areas (such as provincial nature reserves) it might take years for natural landscapes to fully recover.
Date:
Friday, March 6, 2026
