Tour guide, Deon Booyens was part of a group who orchestrated a tourism slow drive awareness campaign on Wednesday, 5 August. The initiative was set to raise awareness about the industry as a whole, with a wide variety of tourism-related service providers who participated in the drive, including tour guides, coach charters and representatives from the accommodation and restaurant sectors.
Traffic from Durban to Umhlanga came to a grinding halt as more than 60 tourism vehicles participated in the drive slow at 15km/ h on the M4 highway.
“I have not had a proper income since January and I was forced to dip into my savings just to make ends meet. I was fortunate to have that as a cushion to lean on, but several others in the tourism industry were not. I wanted to make a difference. It was then when I heard of Hylton Langley from Mpumalanga who conducted a drive slow by himself. He received a lot of attention for doing this and I thought if others joined in, we could get a lot more recognition.”
Before lockdown, business was booming for Deon, who conducted about eight to 10 tours annually.
As a way to earn some form of income, he has created and sells locally made bumper stickers, all of which supports the tourism industry.
ALSO READ: Hope for tourism sector
“Several tourism groups have been in talks with the Department of Tourism. They have worked on protocols which were accepted in May. These included having screens to divide passengers from drivers and equipping vehicles with hand sanitisers. These protocols were accepted by the world travel and tourism council who gave South Africa the stamp of approval, however, no changes have been made as yet,” he added.
Deon is also the sole breadwinner in his family and supports both of his parents who are in their 70s.
“We are planning another drive slow soon and are desperately seeking the support of the community. This affects us all,” he added.
To purchase the tourism bumper stickers, contact Deon on 060-834-7931.
ALSO READ: Tourism hard at work promoting Amanzimtoti
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
