While some operators in southern Africa are fielding queries from inbound clients following the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration that the outbreak of Mpox is a public health emergency of international concern, SATSA has emphasised that the regionremains a safe and desirable destination.
Tour operators in the region are committed to the highest safety standards and are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation, said David Frost , CEO of the inbound tourism industry association.
He said SATSA fully supports efforts to combat the spread of Mpox and recognises the seriousness of WHOs declaration. However, Frost added, the industry is deeply concerned about inaccurate and misleading reporting about the outbreak.
SATSA recognises the need for international cooperation to address the outbreak effectively. However, media narratives that generalise and stigmatise the entire continent do not contribute to resolving the crisis. It is critical to understand that Africa is not a country but a vast continent geographically larger than China, the United States and Europe combined. Each of its 54 countries has unique environments and health contexts.
Painting the entire continent as a high-risk zone due to a localised outbreak is not only factually wrong but also damaging to crucial tourism economies across Africa.
