The South African variant is expensive in Johannesburg and Cape Town

L'South Africathe continent's leading economic power, had barely recovered from a first deadly wave of the pandemic last year when it was faced with a new acceleration in infections, accompanied by a stroke of bad luck: the variant 501Y.V2 of Covid 19, discovered by local scientists, was immediately dubbed "the South African variant "and in its wake wave of border closures to visitors from the southern African country.

Travellers from South Africa are now facing major restrictions and are no longer admitted to several countries, including the United Kingdom. Most airlines have suspended their direct international flightsThe UK has added Kenya, Ethiopia and Qatar to its red list, further complicating the plans of travellers hoping to reach the British metropolis via regional connections. The UK has added Kenya, Ethiopia and Qatar to its red list, further complicating the plans of travellers hoping to reach the British metropolis via a regional connection. To add to the malaise, the national airline South African Airwayswhich ceased flying in March 2020, is in liquidation.

Digital nomads for Cape Town?

As a result, the South African business community is worried. Surveys by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) reveal that the retail confidence index has fallen by 13 points since the start of the year. Business bankruptcies rose by 8.5 1TP3Q in February compared with 2020, and the financial sector is the hardest hit, followed by the restaurant and hotel services industry. Several hotel chains have suspended operations at their establishments. Hilton has temporarily closed its hotels in Cape Town and Durban, while keeping its Johannesburg establishment open.

But there are still signs of innovation that are fuelling the country's hopes of recovery. The city of Cape Town has decided to adapt to the new circumstances by targeting what its Wesgro tourism department calls : "digital nomads. She has just signed a agreement with Airbnb offering visitors a discount of 50 % on stays of more than 28 days: " Covid 19 has had a profound impact on the way we work and companies and their employees have adopted the habit of working remotely. Digital nomads will now be able to take advantage of the Cape Town region's high-tech, entrepreneurial business environment. "said Deidré Baartman, representative of the city administration.

The local authorities are currently making the case to the South African government for the advantages of developing a kind of "airport" for international travellers. remote work visa easier to obtain, and would not require proof of a local employment contract. From long-distance business travellers from dream locations, why not?