Stricter visa regulations
Stats SA records an increase in tourists’ arrival for December 2015
More than 4 million people passed through South Africa’s ports of entry during December.
Official said the department has given itself a year to introduce further measures to ease travel to SA.
The Tourism Dept met with industry stakeholders in Sandton to discuss the latest changes.
Minors travelling to and from South Africa will still be required to present an unabridged birth certificate.
Actor Idris Elba was unable to enter SA after failing to produce an unabridged certificate for his daughter.
The department says it is working within the three month time frame given by the interministerial committee.
International airlines want new changes to be implemented before the summer holiday season.
Grant Thorton says the tourism industry suffered more damage than they had expected.
People travelling into South Africa will no longer be required to apply for their visas in person.
Stephen Grootes says the announcement of relaxed visa requirements has saved the tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says his dept plans to communicate the changes to travel agencies and embassies around the world.
Some visa requirements for people travelling in & out of SA have been relaxed.
The tourism industry is warning that thousands of jobs are the line due to SA’s new visa regulations.
The bank says new regulations for people travelling to SA are beginning to have an impact on the economy.
The Tourism Minister says he and his Home Affairs counterpart share a common purpose of protecting SA.
The regulations are expected to cost the Western Cape economy R384 million in the first quarter of this year.
A mother with dual SA & British citizenship is currently trying to appeal a five-year ban against her child.
An inter-ministerial task team will look at and review newly implemented visa regulations by Home Affairs.
Stephen Grootes questions the arguments in favour of the new visa regulations.