South Africa- Tourism industry players are accusing the
Department of Home Affairs of dragging its feet in implementing the
revised visa regulations, saying this has caused the country to lose out
on potential tourists over the busy summer period.
The government
said last month that some of the more onerous visa rules had been
eased. The regulations have been blamed for causing a substantial drop
in tourist arrivals to SA, costing the economy billions of rand.
Following the revision, inbound travellers accompanied by
minor children were no longer required to produce an unabridged birth certificate and prospective visitors did not have to apply for visas in person. The concessions were divided into those taking effect within three months, between three months and a year, and beyond one year. Southern African Tourism Services Association CEO David Frost said the unabridged birth certificate requirement still stood more than three weeks after the announcement that the regulations would be eased.
"We have been quite patient. It has been three-and-half weeks since the announcement was made. Why were these rules rescinded? It’s because they were having a detrimental effect on tourism. So let’s get them sorted out," said Mr Frost.
He said rescinding the unabridged birth certificate requirement should be "half-a-day’s job. Why does it take three-and-half weeks? We have lost any benefit we might have gained over the December period. It has not been lost to the tourism industry, but to the country," Mr Frost said.
"All we are asking for is that the Cabinet decision be executed. We will have to write to the deputy president to ask him to get his minister to do his job."
The World Travel and Tourism Council said last week it was key for the government not only to implement the changes quickly, but to communicate the changes — in clear language — to travellers and the governments affected by the changes.
Department spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said: "We are bound by laws and when these types of concessions are made, we don’t just wake up and change our minds. These recommendations can’t happen overnight," he said.
Mr Tshwete said the Cabinet mandated the department to put in place the necessary legal instruments to help prove the relationship between an adult and an accompanying minor. "The status quo will remain until such time that the department has provided this legal instrument. We are trying to find — within the legal means — a way to make the regulations a reality … children must be protected," he said.
by Bekezela Phakathi,
Following the revision, inbound travellers accompanied by
minor children were no longer required to produce an unabridged birth certificate and prospective visitors did not have to apply for visas in person. The concessions were divided into those taking effect within three months, between three months and a year, and beyond one year. Southern African Tourism Services Association CEO David Frost said the unabridged birth certificate requirement still stood more than three weeks after the announcement that the regulations would be eased.
"We have been quite patient. It has been three-and-half weeks since the announcement was made. Why were these rules rescinded? It’s because they were having a detrimental effect on tourism. So let’s get them sorted out," said Mr Frost.
He said rescinding the unabridged birth certificate requirement should be "half-a-day’s job. Why does it take three-and-half weeks? We have lost any benefit we might have gained over the December period. It has not been lost to the tourism industry, but to the country," Mr Frost said.
"All we are asking for is that the Cabinet decision be executed. We will have to write to the deputy president to ask him to get his minister to do his job."
The World Travel and Tourism Council said last week it was key for the government not only to implement the changes quickly, but to communicate the changes — in clear language — to travellers and the governments affected by the changes.
Department spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said: "We are bound by laws and when these types of concessions are made, we don’t just wake up and change our minds. These recommendations can’t happen overnight," he said.
Mr Tshwete said the Cabinet mandated the department to put in place the necessary legal instruments to help prove the relationship between an adult and an accompanying minor. "The status quo will remain until such time that the department has provided this legal instrument. We are trying to find — within the legal means — a way to make the regulations a reality … children must be protected," he said.
by Bekezela Phakathi,
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