Safari operators in Africa say they have not seen a surge in safari bookings due to the recent Empox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, those in the African travel community are seeing increased hesitation and inquiries about how safe it is to travel to the continent, suggesting that media coverage of the disease outbreak is influencing travellers’ decision-making processes.
The anxiety surrounding mpox is particularly frustrating for operators, given the relatively low risk to travelers and the protocols in place since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.
“Most of our guests have asked if they need to take any special health precautions, and some have asked if they need to change their itinerary,” said Keeley McGowan, co-owner and CEO of Next Adventure.
Pearl Jurist-Schoen, Africa regional sales director for Extraordinary Journeys, also gets similar inquiries.
“People are asking if they should be concerned, which we can interpret as them being concerned because they’re hearing about it, but they don’t know how concerned they should be, and they want to know what we know and how concerned we are,” she said.
Mohanjeet Brar, managing director of GameWatchers Safaris and Porin Camps, said potential customers were holding off on booking due to the mpox issues.
“There were people who tried to make reservations but then suddenly decided to wait,” he said.
The increased attention reflects uncertainty caused by media stories surrounding mpox. Industry leaders note that the outbreak that triggered the WHO warning occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, far from many tourist destinations. However, the WHO has also reported confirmed cases in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
“I explained to (the concerned customer) the general view that the WHO’s declaration of mpox as a global emergency is to focus the world’s attention on the issue, to send vaccines to Africa and to work on improving the current smallpox vaccine,” said Jim Holden, president of Holden Safaris. “I also explained that Cape Town is about as far from the mpox epicentre in Congo as Los Angeles is from New York. I said at this stage there is no reason to be hiding under the bed.”
The traveler's fears have a familiar ring to them.
What makes this situation particularly frustrating for many in the African travel industry is the constant feeling of deja vu.
A decade ago, there were reports that the Ebola outbreak was concentrated primarily in West Africa, causing many potential travelers to view the entire continent as a risk zone. This led to widespread cancellations and economic hardship in many countries where tourism plays a vital role.
Similarly, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a flurry of travel restrictions and media coverage that disproportionately affected Africa, as confirmed cases there often remained lower than in other parts of the world.
“If this trend continues and the situation continues to be reported out of context, it could have a huge negative impact on tourism and the economy within Africa,” Brar said.
McGowan emphasized the value of clear, factual communication, suggesting that “short, clear statements with facts from recognizable public health agencies are the most effective.” She also said maps showing the global spread of mpox would be useful, particularly for the 2022-2023 outbreak, when the United States had the most cases.
She added: “While the headlines are concerning and the World Health Organization should prioritise vaccines (in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), given the nature of the disease and how it spreads, we do not believe it poses a significant risk to safari travellers.”
Brar said it is important for travelers to understand the nature of the disease. According to WHO, mpox is spread through close contact, such as skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact.
“Mpox does not spread as easily as Covid-19,” he said. “WHO has identified certain high-risk groups, which is very different from the widespread impact of Covid-19. There are good systems in place at borders and airports, and contact tracing, so the risk to safari travelers is minimal.”
Gareth Benner, sales and marketing director for Mantis Collection, said there may be uncertainty among travelers, but providing the right information can help ease that.
“Our guests frequently ask us about the precautions we take, and we are always happy to discuss them,” he said. “We emphasize our continued commitment to rigorous sanitation practices and our partnerships with local health authorities to ensure a safe experience.”
