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Visa ruled to be relaxed in early 2016

Source: IOL, 23/12/2015

The tourism industry will continue to struggle until February, when
some visa regulations will be eased, says the Federated Hospitality
Association of SA.

The association is the umbrella body for tourism-related
businesses.

Chief executive Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa warned travellers not to be
lulled by the concessions made recently by the Department of Home
Affairs.

He was speaking after reports of foreign tourists being turned away at
airports because they didn't have the proper documentation.

The Independent newspaper in the UK reported that between 10 and 20
families a day were being stopped from boarding flights to South
Africa at Heathrow Airport during the pre-Christmas travel
period.

Home Affairs, which claimed to have imposed the restrictions to combat
human trafficking, made some concessions, but Tshivhengwa
said:"Everything is still in place; you still need the unabridged
birth certificate when travelling to the country. The only positive
about the situation is that something is being done."

He added: "The concessions to the visa regulations that have been made
only come into effect on February 1."

Attempts to get comment from the Department of Home Affairs were
unsuccessful.
The Star

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