Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with The Plettenberg recognized as #5 in Top 30 Hotels in Africa, The Cellars-Hohenort as #15 in Top 30 Hotels in Africa, and The Marine as #28 in Top 30 Hotels in Africa. This means that all three luxury hotels belonging to The Liz McGrath Collection have ranked in the top 30 of this prestigious global hotlist.

More than 715 000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe. The annual awards recognises The World’s Best Hotels, Resorts, Countries, Cities, Islands, Spas, Trains, Airlines, Airports and Cruises Ranked by Travelers.

“The results of this year’s survey, conducted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a testament to the lasting power of a meaningful travel experience,” said Jesse Ashlock, US Editor of Condé Nast Traveler. “The winners represent the best of the best for our audience and offer plenty of trip-planning inspiration for all the adventures we can’t wait to have next.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November 2020 print editions of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK.

“We’re thrilled to have been recognised in this way,” says The Liz McGrath Collection CEO Jacqui Elliot. “We’d like to thank our loyal guests for voting for all three of our standout properties – this appreciation of our offering inspires us to even greater heights. Now that we have opened our doors to travellers post lockdown, we look forward to hosting our guests at these bucket-list destinations and providing the luxury service and superlative accommodation standards they have come to know and expect from us!”

For more information on The Liz McGrath Collection and its outstanding trio of award-winning hotels, visit: www.collectionmcgrath.com

Government has released a statement stipulating that antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection will be rolled out at all ports of entry in South Africa with immediate effect.

The purpose of this rollout is to alleviate the logistical complications that a point of entry COVID-19 PCR test poses, including cost, time and capacity.

Antigen tests (different from antibody tests) are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen. The advantage of the antigen test is that it costs about R150-R170, as opposed to R850 for the PCR test, and the results are available in 15 minutes.

The statement outlines the procedure for travellers arriving at a port of entry without a certified negative PCR test, the administration of the antigen test, and requirements should a test come back positive.

Government wishes to reassure all affected people that these measures are put in place not to penalise travellers but to protect each other from the devastations of COVID-19.

Please note, we have raised queries regarding some of these measures so we are reassured that travellers are treated fairly upon arrival and that those who are safe to enter, are able to do so without unnecessary burden.

SATSA is assessing government’s statement and seeking further clarity on the impact to the tourism industry. We will communicate any developments as they are made known and update our FAQs accordingly.

Colleagues,

As South Africa reopens to international tourism, there has never been a more important priority than ensuring that we do so safely for staff and guests. Our duty as the tourism and hospitality sector is to inspire confidence that travel to South Africa is safe and easy. To do this, it is absolutely essential that all tourism and hospitality establishments adopt and adhere to the Travel Safe – Eat Safe protocols.

Following months of lobbying, the move to Alert Level 1 will enable the sector to get back to work, contribute to the economy and save jobs – a step in the right direction after six months of lockdown.

However, there have been concerns around what the re-opening of borders will mean for the country, including the concerns around the list of high-risk countries which are not permitted to enter South Africa, even at this level, and we would like to reassure the industry that this is a priority for us at the moment.

We have requested an urgent meeting with Government to further clarify the method used to draft the list of high-risk countries and the practicalities surrounding this suggested phased reopening, so that this can be examined and its feasibility determined.

We remain committed to the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industries and will continue to engage industry stakeholders and the government in its efforts to collaborate and recover South Africa’s economy.

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

The Lufthansa Group has prepared a FAQ guide for travellers according to the regulations pertaining to international travel to/from South Africa.

To download a copy of the FAQ guide, click here.

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