Due to recent travel restrictions being placed on southern African countries, South African National Parks (SANParks) is preparing for mass booking cancellations and amendments after the identification of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
SANParks Managing Executive Tourism Development and Marketing, Hapiloe Sello, has stated that the unfortunate circumstances will require a very proactive approach to assist travellers and minimise the negative implications they might experience.
Sello commented on the situation by stating that ‘we have decided that booked clients from the countries that have introduced travel bans to South Africa will not be charged fees or penalties for amendments and postponements for a 12 month period from the date of 26 November 2021 until such time as the travel bans are lifted. Affected clients are welcome to contact our reservation offices to postpone their reservations to later dates. We encourage guests to opt for SANParks to retain their deposit payments until they are certain about their travel plans and to only consider cancellations and refunds as a last resort.’
Sello has additionally expanded on the company’s cancellation policy as outlined in their terms and conditions. Sello exclaimed that while the company will be making accommodations for clients affected by the recent travel restrictions, clients unaffected by this issue will be subjected to the company’s standard cancellation penalties and procedures.
Sello encouraged local South African’s to not be deterred from making bookings with SANParks during this time period. She stated that the SANParks company wants ‘to assure our visitors, particularly local travellers that our national parks remain open and quite likely amongst the safest destinations to travel to’.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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