With the Hermanus tourism industry under severe pressure during the Covid-19 lockdown and thousands of jobs on the line, Hermanus Times decided to act and promote Hermanus as a tourism destination as travel restrictions began to lift.
This was done through the production of a video that features six Hermanus-based tourism businesses. Daleen Fouché, editor of Hermanus Times, says the publication decided to make a one-minute video that could easily be shared on Facebook and WhatsApp.
She said: “We leveraged our relationship with national advertisers to sponsor the video.” Fouché says the new app from Telkom Business, Yep, jumped at the opportunity to come on board.
“Yep supports local SMMEs to reach their full potential,” a spokesperson for the app said. “This is essential in the new digital economy and secures a better future of work for everyone.”
Hermanus Times approached Denshir de Koker of Hugenote Films to handle the production and editing. “We filmed over two days in August,” said Fouché. “It was a big learning curve for the Hermanus Times teams to work with a new medium, but we had great fun and we now have the confidence to take on more similar projects.”
She added the interviews gave great insight into the current situation tourism businesses find themselves in. “It was an eye opener to hear about the extent of the damage the Covid-19 lockdown has had on local businesses. We hope this video will assist in some way to bring the domestic travel market to Hermanus.”
Not business as usual
Hermanus Times approached Fabio’s Ristorante, Tikka Palace, La Pentola, Hermanus Shuttles, Forest Adventures and Misty Waves Hotel to take part in the video.
Tikka Palace owner Mahmood Malik said although Covid-19 had really affected his business in a negative way, the locals supported it as soon as it was able to open. Malik said the restaurant has implemented standard protocols to keep customers safe, including keeping two open tables between customers and cleaning all surfaces and floors. “Hermanus is ready, Hermanus always welcomes the tourists; it is the backbone of our economy,” he said. “So far, thousands of visitors have come, and not one negative review.”
Fabio Lenci, owner of Fabio’s Ristorante, says the coronavirus has been devastating, and everything he has been working hard to achieve for 15 years, has been destroyed. “[It came] especially just before the Easter period, when people have already stocked up. Our staff had been put on hold until further notice. We are in constant contact with them, and the minute we have some recovery we will all be back together again.”
According to Jurie Steenekamp, the bread and butter of his business, Hermanus Shuttle, was airport trips. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown has been devastating, he said. “We went from doing multiple trips a day to not even receiving an email or phone call for weeks. I have had to phone our own number to make sure it is still working.”
Kim “Sharklady” Maclean says her business, Sharklady Adventures, was just starting to peak when the lockdown was implemented. “We received very little help. I set up a WhatsApp group for my staff, and if there is frustration or hunger we could address it. We look out for each other. We just want to get out on the boat with the wind in our hair and the sea on our face.”
Jacob Mzangwa, Operations Manager for SA Forest Adventures, said the lockdown had a very bad effect on the business and its staff. “It was very difficult for the staff, who had no income and nothing to do. But we manage to help each other as guides and share among each other. The lockdown came just before the busiest season for river rafting and large groups from overseas coming.” He said it will be difficult to recover. “To get back into the market we need the international tourists. We will get back in business, but things are bad.”
Clinton Lerm, one of the owners of Misty Waves hotel, also said the lockdown has been heartbreaking. “It has set us back, but we have staff that have been with us since the start. The help is just not sufficient to make up for the loss of income. Our staff is like our family, and financially it has been devastating. I don’t think there are industries that have not been affected, but I do think tourism is by far the worst hit by this.”
Shane Sauvage, owner of La Pentola, said when the restaurant reopened in July it managed to make only 8% of its turnover, compared to previous years. “And then I am talking about 8% of the worst winter months.” He said the virus has made people fearful. “People are afraid to go out and sit with a family member to enjoy a meal. In the last five months we have lost in excess of R6,5 million in turnover. It will take about two to three years to recover.”
Going viral
The one-minute video was shared via WhatsApp and on Facebook last week. “The video has been very well received,” Fouché said.
On the Hermanus Times Facebook page the video was shared more than 40 times and viewed many times over. It was also shared by sister publications in WP Media and Boland Media.
Fouché says it is difficult to track how far the video has been shared on WhatsApp, but feedback has been received from various foreign countries, such as the USA and India. She said a longer, three-minute version of the video is now available on the Hermanus Times website on Netwerk24 (www.Netwerk24/HermanusTimes).