TBCSA concerned about amendments to Immigrations Act

© DOC-RABE-Media – za.fotolia.com

The Council says that some regulations included in the new Act pose a significant threat to the sustainability of a large portion of businesses in the local travel and tourism trade.

"We acknowledge the prerogative and duty of the Department of Home Affairs to protect our borders and to tackle issues around trafficking of people, especially children. Our concern is that two specific regulations, namely the new requirement for an unabridged birth certificate for minors, as well as the provision for in-person collection of biometric data, will have a significant detrimental impact on tourism not only to South Africa, but also to the neighbouring countries whose tourism activities are linked to South Africa," TBCSA chief executive officer, Mmatšatši Ramawela said.

Ramawela said as a signatory to the Tourism Child Protection Code, the travel and tourism trade appreciated government taking a tough stance against the commercial sexual exploitation of children but felt that greater engagement was key to find a workable solution which would not have adverse implications for the travel and tourism trade.

Damage to competitiveness

David Frost, chief executive officer of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), said in the wake of the announcement his office has been inundated with letters of concern from tour operators all over the world. "The requirement of carrying an original unabridged birth certificate, or a certified copy thereof, as well as a sworn translation if needed, acts as an additional hurdle that damages our competitiveness as a destination. It creates a barrier to entry with financial and/or opportunity cost that a prospective tourist needs to overcome in order to travel to South Africa."

"There is widespread confusion on exactly what is actually required," said Frost. "For example, in the event of a single parent who does not have contact with the other biological parent, an affidavit is required. But what information should this contain? Furthermore, foreign language birth certificates will have to be translated. All of this adds a time and a cost component that a potential traveller will now factor into his/her selection of a tourism destination, in addition to an added level of uncertainty."

This concern is echoed by the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance and the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Associations. The Board of Airline Representatives of Southern Africa has also expressed concern at the potential impact of the regulation. It estimates that up to 20% of air travel to South Africa involve families with children and may therefore be impacted. This will not only have a direct economic impact, but will also permeate the indirect impact tourism has on the broader economy.

Biometric visa

The second area of concern relates to the move to biometric visas that requires in-person applications. Whilst the Council is cognisant that this will assist in improving security and monitoring, the fact that biometric data gathering points will only be available in limited centres in certain countries with vast geographic areas such as India and China, it will be hugely problematic for the trade and tourists alike.

Ramawela said whilst the industry welcomed the Minister of Tourism's recent statement on this matter, she hoped further dialogue between the two ministries and the trade will yield positive results. "We have spent the past two weeks listening to our members and international trade partners whilst engaging with our partners in the public sector.

"Following this consultation, we have written to the Minister of Home Affairs requesting for a reprieve and an opportunity to make representations on this matters. We hope that our request for an extension to the implementation of the new regulations will be duly considered to allow us to make a proper assessment of its implications on the local and regional travel trade."