Here's what coronavirus could cost SA travel, tourism, expert tells Alec Hogg

The coronavirus that erupted in Wuhan, China and has spread across the globe, most recently bringing Italy to a standstill, will hit South Africa hard. According to Jabulani Debedu, a consultant at BDO's tourism specialist unit, has tallied the costs of previous diseases that have knocked the tourism and travel industries in South Africa and cautions that the sector is likely to see a drop in visitors by anything from 7-15%. This follows a tough 2019, with fewer tourists travelling to SA from Africa and elsewhere. Nevertheless, avoid panic as this, too, shall pass, is the message in this interview with Alec Hogg, BizNews founder and editor-in-chief. - Jackie Cameron