The majority of Tourism Update readers believe there isn’t sufficient demand to warrant direct flights between South Africa and Russia. Responding to a poll question linked to Nordwind’s plans to introduce direct flights between Moscow and Johannesburg, 54% of respondents said there wasn’t enough demand to warrant the flights. Readers also commented on the ethical and legal sensitivities of South Africa supporting such a development.
“South Africa should be very careful to get into bed with Russia now. All of Europe and the US are watching who is friendly with Russia. The consumers in Europe are feeling the prices on everything rising, and we all know why,” commented Rune Engstrom, General Manager of Destination Africa in Norway.
Vernon Wait, Owner of Pembury Tours, added: “I don’t imagine any product that is supported by traditional source markets like North America, Western Europe would have ‘high hopes’ for this service to begin operating. Imagine the fallout at dinner tables, game-drive vehicles etc if Russians are suddenly seated next to Scandinavians, Poles, Germans, Latvians, Estonians, given what’s going on in Ukraine! Quite clearly this airline has run out of places where it is welcome so it is now looking at SA!”
Notwithstanding the negative sentiments, 20% of respondents were of the opinion that there was enough demand to warrant such a flight, with the remaining 26% saying they were still uncertain.
What do you hope to hear from SONA?
As South Africa gears up for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 9, industry stakeholders will be eager to hear the tangible actions that government will be taking to address the hurdles still facing the tourism sector.
We want to hear from you, the trade, as to which issues you most hope will be addressed by Ramaphosa.
Our poll question this week is:
