Department of Home Affairs engage with Tourism sector on visa regulations

Source: CBN, 26/07/2015

Following the recent wave of public debate surrounding the new visa
immigration regulations, Wesgro, the official Destination Marketing,
Investment and Trade Promotion Agency for the Western Cape, hosted a
workshop in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs for the
tourism and business sector.
The travel and tourism sector directly employs some 679,500 people and
is growing at a rate of 3% and contributes directly and indirectly to
9.4% of South Africa`s GDP.
The workshop was hosted in a move towards increased communication and
to help clarify aspects of the new regulations for members of the
tourism and business sector. With the new regulations here to stay,
the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA)
Cape region saw this platform as one that encourages conversation and
engagement – a step towards government and the tourism industry moving
forward together.
"With the new regulations implemented just over a month ago, members
of the tourism and hospitality industry have experienced difficulties
in the implementation of the new visa regulations," said Rob Kucera,
Chairman of FEDHASA Cape. "It is encouraging to see Wesgro and the
Department of Home Affairs host a workshop of this nature where those
directly impacted are engaged in a spirit of collaboration to examine
the procedures that will assist in simplifying the admin systems and
processes."
As the watchdog and lobbying body for the hospitality industry and
with their members` best interest at the heart of FEDHASA Cape`s
mandate, the industry body along with the Tourism Business Council of
South Africa, will continue to engage in positive dialogue with
Wesgro, who offered to host the Western Cape Development Agency, that
will operate as a task team to forge a way forward, with
representation from all relevant government departments and industry
role players.
In addition to actively engaging with Wesgro and government on the way
forward regarding the new visa regulations, FEDHASA Cape is also
working with various industry associations and role players, including
the City of Cape Town and the Province regarding plans to position the
Western Cape as a yearlong destination.
"There is no doubt that due to the new visa regulations we have
challenging times ahead," said Kucera. "As the industry body for the
hospitality sector we are committed to encouraging these conversations
for the benefit of the tourism industry and ultimately to safeguard
the international tourist impression of South Africa as a holiday
destination of choice."