SA Power Blackouts Impact Tourism
Dec 15, 2014, 2:17 am
#1
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SA Power Blackouts Impact Tourism
"Tourism establishments around South Africa are expected to be heavily affected by frequent power outages during the December and January holiday seasons. The government announced it would be implementing stringent load shedding schedules in the coming months in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the country’s power system.
Even with generators, travellers are inconvenienced. “It’s noisy, which doesn’t enhance the guest experience. Also, when the electricity comes back on, the surge often causes electrical equipment and appliances to blow, which is inconvenient and can be expensive to travellers who sometimes have to replace their electrical items.”
The hospitality sector fears the load shedding problem will eventually impact heavily on tourism to South Africa. Wayne says: “Load shedding is not conducive to generating or encouraging patronage or tourism.”
"
Source
Johan
Even with generators, travellers are inconvenienced. “It’s noisy, which doesn’t enhance the guest experience. Also, when the electricity comes back on, the surge often causes electrical equipment and appliances to blow, which is inconvenient and can be expensive to travellers who sometimes have to replace their electrical items.”
The hospitality sector fears the load shedding problem will eventually impact heavily on tourism to South Africa. Wayne says: “Load shedding is not conducive to generating or encouraging patronage or tourism.”
"
Source
Johan
Dec 15, 2014, 2:33 am
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
As recent as a week ago, we had back-to-back load shedding, usually in ~ 4 hour increments. There is a published schedule of where the shedding will occur on days it is shedding is declared, but it's more guide and not set in stone, IMHO.
Closer to point, many talks about how it effects the local economy (many smaller retail outlets don't have generators), as people won't shop/dine out. Traffic signals out without Metro/PD giving a slight care to direct traffic, particularly in dangerous intersections (unless they can somehow craft a bribe out of it). Word leaving the country that shedding will become more common with no long-term solution. Disgust over Eskom management. Then even if the power stays on there is the issue of "running out" of water: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...aster-20141103
Rather bleak picture of SA. OTOH, an intimate dinner with a S.O or dining in a restaurant with candles and a streamlined menu can be a fun experience once in a while. The Rand is performing poorly against USD, allowing tourists to spend a bit more freely than they may have otherwise intended.
Closer to point, many talks about how it effects the local economy (many smaller retail outlets don't have generators), as people won't shop/dine out. Traffic signals out without Metro/PD giving a slight care to direct traffic, particularly in dangerous intersections (unless they can somehow craft a bribe out of it). Word leaving the country that shedding will become more common with no long-term solution. Disgust over Eskom management. Then even if the power stays on there is the issue of "running out" of water: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...aster-20141103
Rather bleak picture of SA. OTOH, an intimate dinner with a S.O or dining in a restaurant with candles and a streamlined menu can be a fun experience once in a while. The Rand is performing poorly against USD, allowing tourists to spend a bit more freely than they may have otherwise intended.
Dec 15, 2014, 2:38 am
#3
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