Speaking at a GBTA webinar on July 15, Sandile Ntseoane, gm of the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (Savrala), said it was the lack of flights that has made the most impact on the car-rental industry during the pandemic.
“We have a high dependency on the airlines. Inbound amounts to 50% of our business. Even with the relaxation of lockdown regulations, essential business travel still doesn’t help [the industry] much,” said Sandile.
Witnessing the threat to the business of its members, Sandile says Savrala cannot help but feel ignored by government along with the other industries fuelling the travel and tourism industry in South Africa.
Sandile sits on the board of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and appreciates the ‘balancing act’ that government and the relevant ministries have had to perform, but he says things could be at the point where legal action might need to be taken.
Savrala represents 400 000 vehicles and generates, on average, annual revenues of R6bn.
