South Africa welcomes visa reform for foreign minors

AASA, together with other aviation and tourism industry bodies, has been advised by South Africa’s Dept of Home Affairs that it had implemented the waiver while waiting for enacting legislation to be passed.

“This is welcome relief and will help South Africa regain its competiive position as an attractive tourism destination,” said AASA CEO, Chris Zweigenthal.  

Although intended to curb human trafficking, AASA estimates the country’s travel, tourism and hospitality industries lost hundreds of millions of rands over the past five years as a direct result of the restrictions and how they were implemented.  

“Losses were felt as trade went to places that were easier to visit. At the same time local operating costs increased and margins compressed.  As a result, jobs were lost, livelihoods negatively affected and revenues derived from taxes declined.  Reforms such as this waiver will help to strengthen the entire sector and contribute towards the economic rejuvenation of South Africa and the region.   This is a good start, but there are still other corrective interventions to be made and unnecessary red tape to be slashed”, added Zweigenthal.