The latest directive from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) directs visitors whose visas have not been renewed to leave South Africa promptly by February 23, according to representative body Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa). It has been criticized as a “rash directive.” For inbound tourism. DHA introduced the directive during the holiday season on December 21, 2023, reversing an earlier agreement to allow visitors an additional 90-day extension while awaiting visa renewal. As revealed in recent reports, daily maverick According to the article, people who arrived in October or November and wanted to extend their stay were caught by surprise as they now have to leave the country by the end of February.
“This absurd decree shows a complete disregard for the tourism industry and will be disastrous at a time when this country is in dire need of foreign capital from tourists.” says Oupa Pilane. “South Africa issues short-term visas on arrival to tourists from many countries, but an alarming level of incompetence and incompetence prevents the Department of Home Affairs from processing simple visa extensions in a reasonable time. That often happens.”
Economic effects of “Swallow”
Visiting for up to 180 days, the coveted 'Swallows' are a golden goose for the South African economy, and indeed for the country's third-highest GDP-earning tourism industry, opening deep and vast supply chains that create employment opportunities. are enjoying it.
Pilane added that sun chasers are a lucrative market segment for the country not only for long-term stays, but also because they contribute to government coffers through retail spending and associated value-added tax.
“The Home Office is unable to fulfill its simple task of issuing visas on time, yet instead imposes arbitrary edicts to expel visitors who have planned to stay for six months and in many cases own property here. It's shameful that you don't think about it,” Pilane continued.
“Tourism is touted as a priority by the government, but this rebellious department and others like the Department of Transport, whether by deliberate design or appalling incompetence, are trying to constrain this important sector. “It's shameful to penalize tourists” for their inexcusable dysfunction. ”
Government tourism priorities
Citing the Ministry of Transport as another example, Pilane said that despite numerous offers of assistance and attempts to engage constructively with the ministry, the ministry has failed to recognize the serious dysfunction of the NPTR and the lack of licenses for tourism transport operators to operate. It added that long delays in issuance have not been addressed. Mediate solutions. “This is another example of the same disease,” Pilane says.
“Extensive regulatory delays and ongoing dysfunction are a disaster for tourist fleets. Operators are being held back by their inability to obtain vehicle permits in a reasonable time. There are easy solutions, but there is neither the will nor the urgency to implement them. If we value our tourism industry, we can do more and stop scoring own goals.”
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