Drop in airline ticket sales prove visa regulations must go

The latest figures provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – a global organisation which aims to drive a profitable air transport industry - provide further proof of the devastating impact the new visa regulations are having on the South African economy. 

According to these figures, ticketing stats show a marked 26% decline in year-on-year air ticketing revenue for tickets purchased to South Africa in June 2015.

The total revenue for all air ticketing sales to SA dropped by 40% for June 2015 compared with June 2014.

The Democratic Alliance has submitted various motions calling for the suspension of these draconian travel regulations and to have them replaced with biometrics on arrival or electronic visas. These systems have proved to be very effective and safe in the countries in which they are in operation. 

Sadly our attempts have fallen on deaf ears. This despite the fact that the impact of the new visa regulations on the South African economy in 2014 was a negative R2.6bn and the loss of more than 5 800 jobs, according to an impact assessment report by Grant Thornton, commissioned by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

The report predicts that in 2015, the number of lost foreign tourists due to changes in the immigration regulations is likely to increase to 100 000, with a loss of 9 300 jobs and a total net loss to the South African GDP of around R4.1 billion.

Government must now face the fact that South Africa is facing a full-blown jobs crisis. We simply cannot afford to wait for committees to meet – and report back – while jobs are being lost.

The vibrant tourism economy in Western Cape alone has lost R330 million in the first quarter of 2015, indicative of a countrywide crisis meaning the tourism industry is losing growth which would translate into jobs.

The tourism industry creates jobs at all skill levels and is able to absorb a high number of unskilled workers. 

I will today write to the Chairperson of the Tourism Portfolio Committee, Beatrice Ngcobo, to ask that she summons the Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom to appear before the committee to clarify the progress of the inter-ministerial committee. 

The DA will not relent in its fight to provide more job opportunities for South Africans because we believe every citizen should have the access to the right to empower themselves.

Issued by James Vos, DA Shadow Minister of Tourism, 8 September 2015