The deferment comes following months of fervent lobbying by ASATA and its trade association partners in South Africa, including meetings with both the Minister and Deputy Minister, letters to the Ministry and opinion pieces in the press, to raise awareness of the negative impact these new immigration regulations would have on the travel and tourism sectors and the shortfalls in the ability of Home Affairs to meet their own objectives regarding various amendments to the Immigration Act.
Since the regulations were announced on 22 May 2014, ASATA has been working relentlessly to drive engagement with the Ministry and outbound travel sector to ensure better understanding of the issues, practical implications and minimal confusion and disruption to the travelling public.
"We are grateful to have had the opportunity to address our concerns with Gigaba regarding the impact of these new immigration regulations and pleased that these concerns have been heard and reacted to in this way.
"We look forward to engaging with the department over the next few months to find a suitable solution for all parties involved including the appointment of a joint government industry task team that will work to fully understand the objectives, identify international best practice and how these should be implemented effectively for SA. We also need to devise and roll-out a global public awareness and information campaign," says ASATA CEO Otto de Vries.
