Unwelcome reception threatens multimillion-rand travel segment

Source: Tourism Update, 28/07/2015

The school tours segment is estimated to be worth between R50 million
and R60 million a year.
South Africa`s requirement for minors under the age of 18 to produce
an unabridged birth certificate and unaccompanied minors to produce
additional documents, including proof of parental consent "in the form
of a letter or affidavit", is threatening the lucrative school tours
segment.
Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Destination Marketing, says the new
regulations for minors are causing trouble in the segment. He also
points out that the school tours segment is estimated to be worth
between R50 million and R60 million (€3.6m-€4.3m) a year.
"We`ve got a hockey festival currently in Cape Town with 17 overseas
schools participating," says Wiest, adding that, of these 17 schools
"practically every group" experienced issues at SA`s ports of entry.
There is also no consistency in how officials implement the new
regulations, says Wiest. Likewise, Gavin Eyre, SAYTC Chairman and MD
of International House Cape Town, an English language institute, says
while the youth sector is not averse to protecting SA`s borders, the
way the regulations have been implemented has been very poor and
caused lots of uncertainty in the market place and with agents all
over the world. "What should be an easy sell has become twice as
complicated and, in some cases, impossible.
"We have seen the market drop considerably because of the uncertainty
of all the different messages that have been sent out," says Eyre,
adding that additional contributing factors were the Ebola outbreak in
West Africa and certain source markets experiencing financial problems.
According to Eyre there have been cancellations because of the
requirements. "Quite a few of the backpackers have had football,
hockey and rugby groups cancel because of the amount of administration
that is required now to visit SA. It`s such a shame as lots of these
youngsters who come in to play sport often come back in years to come
and are great ambassadors for South Africa."
Cliff Smith of Teach Korea agrees that new requirement for students
travelling has had a negative impact on young inbound travellers and
has, without a doubt, diminished the marketability of South Africa as
a destination. "We are aware of outbound travel agencies in China and
Korea that have switched their marketing focus to other destinations
to avoid the burden these new regulations place on travellers. It is
simply easier to secure commitments from potential clients to less
onerous destinations," he says.
A recent report by Grant Thornton warned that the country could lose
as much as R10 billion in direct, indirect and induced losses this
year as a result of the requirements regarding minors. Furthermore, an
estimated 24 000 potential jobs could be lost annually.
- See more at:
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/Home/Detail?articleId=53688#sthash.c6VMcId4.dpuf