JOHANNESBURG - Tourvest Holdings have said that they wholeheartedly support the decision by the government to hand South African Airways (SAA) over to a restructuring specialist, as part of a R4 billion business rescue plan started last Thursday.
“We are in full support of this decision by the government, however difficult. It signals a new era of bold leadership in the tourism and travel industry and the South African economy as a whole, which SAA plays a critical role in.” Tourvest Group CE Sean Joubert, said.
“Like SAA, we are a proudly South African company, endeavouring to promote our country locally and globally, thus we are hoping that SAA emerges from its current position as a strong and sustainable airline that meets the highest world standards as South Africa’s national carrier,” Joubert further added.
“We wish to reiterate that SAA is a key driver of the economy, not only in respect of tourism, trade, job creation, but also in transportation logistics, which in turn fuels a number of other industries. The decision by the government and the SAA Board to step in decisively in order to save it, can only be a positive one, which we will do all in our power to support,” Joubert said.
Tourvest is Southern Africa’s leading integrated tourism group, operating businesses which range from destination management, accommodation and activities, travel management services, financial services and travel retail to destination retail, duty free and inflight services, jewellery and gemstones as well as restaurants and taverns, under some 60 sector-leading brands, employing more than 6 000 people.