SOWETOLIFE MAG ONLINE: What impact has the Covid 19 had on your brand?
CINDY SHEEDY WALKER: The impact of Covid 19 has been brutal. Our Lodges and Hotels were all closed during the hard lockdown in 2020.
Our staff were impacted upon, and being located in the more remote areas of South Africa the resultant impact on rural communities around the reserves has been severe. The ongoing challenges we face include the various countries around the world announcing additional travel restrictions and limited airlines serving South Africa means that any recovery of international travel is not likely for the next few months.
SLM: Liquor, hospitality are both intertwined- at what level do you think this had on the economy and on both industries?
CINDY SHEEDY WALKER: Whilst we fully support all the initiatives implemented in South Africa to preserve the safety of our citizens – the loss of potential business due to the alcohol restrictions was felt. Many of our South African bookings either cancelled or postponed their travels due to this factor.
Restaurants especially have been hard hit with the combination of alcohol bans and curfews meaning many have closed due to lack of business.
SLM: Would Extraodinary Lodges be encouraging staff to take a jab, following myths and fake news on the Vaccination about being inserted with 5G tracker etc…?
CINDY SHEEDY WALKER: We support the vaccine initiative and are hopeful that the subsequent roll out during 2021 includes our hospitality front-line staff who provide an important service and will be instrumental in the recovery of our economy.
Once international destinations implement their own vaccine implementation we feel sure that these travellers will be keen to visit the wide open spaces of South Africa, and knowing that our hospitality industry offers safety protocols and that our staff are vaccinated will encourage them.
SLM: What will change, if any, would the brand be implementing from safety precautionary point of view for its guests?
CINDY SHEEDY WALKER: We have adopted and fully implemented the approved Travel/Eat Safe protocols which the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) developed in conjunction with all the relevant associations and provide a robust and well thought out safety regime for hospitality products.
Image (The interior of Mabula Lodge in Waterberg, Limpopo).
Ed Note: ‘Xtraodinary’ times ahead- we await with bated breath!
