Minister Hanekom abandons tourism industry with about-turn on visa regulations review
8 June 2015
I have today written to the Chairperson of the Tourism Portfolio Committee, Beatrice Ngcobo, requesting that she summon Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, before the committee to explain his sudden decision not to call for a review of government’s job-killing visa regulations. Just four days ago, Minister Hanekom indicated that he was in favour of such a review.
The new stringent visa regulations, which came into effect on 1 June 2015, will adversely affect tourism, economic growth and job creation - in a country which needs all three.
Last Thursday, Minister Hanekom admitted on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Africa in Cape Town, that “we need to review the regulations to find the right balance” as they are “hurting South Africa”. The DA welcomed this, as did the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), as a positive step in the right direction.
It turns out this was nothing more than hot air and empty promises as today the Department of Tourism has stated there will not be a review of the regulations, but that talks about the implementation of the regulations will continue.
If Minister Hanekom believes the tourism industry will not be affected then he must explain to Parliament why the following indicators point to the opposite:
Based on 2013 numbers, 536 000 foreign visitors could be denied travel to South Africa, threatening the jobs of 1.5 million South Africans employed in the tourism industry;
StatsSA's tourism figures for 2014 indicate that arrivals from China dropped 24.6%; and
A poll conducted last week by The Telegraph in the United Kingdom asked “will the new rules put you off taking your child to South Africa?" and the results came back with an alarming 61% opting for 'yes'.
Minister Hanekom must explain to parliament the reasons and rationale for this about-turn. What does his department mean by “continuing talks about how they (the regulations) should be implemented will take place”. Why do the reasons for review suddenly fall away?
In addition, the Minister needs to show parliament what actual, quantifiable steps he has taken to protect and promote the tourism industry in this entire visa regulations debacle. In many minds Minister Hanekom has sat on his hands and neglected his duty to protect and promote the tourism industry. He will now be afforded the opportunity to set the record straight, and should grab it with open arms.
The tourism industry contributes 9% of our GDP and employs 1.5 million South Africans. Its growth and success is vital to growing our economy and creating jobs for the 36% of South Africans who cannot find work. In the absence of any real action by the ANC government, the DA will continue to fight for the tourism industry and the 1.5 million South Africans it employs.
The DA will not stand by while ill-conceived regulations threaten our economy, and job creation. I am meeting with the Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) tomorrow morning in order to hear their concerns and consider further action in this regard.
Statement issued by James Vos MP, DA Shadow Minister of Tourism, June 8 2015
