Visa regulation changes

[tec0]

Well i hope the summer months will see some global visitors, South Africa despite all the crap that is happening is a beautiful place and can be so much more if we can get rid of some hindering elements. I just hope our economy stabilizes soon "very soon" we really need financial foundations to restore order and allow for growth. So am hoping that the glass will be "half full"

Sadly for most South Africans we only have the news to keep us up-to-date and it is not always good news.

Faan best of luck to you

[Phil Cooper]

How can you blame the visa regulations for the drop in tourism?

The Home Affairs Dept. assures us it has nothing to do with it, and, like everything else with our third-world, efficient and honest governmental departments we can rest assured they are correct.....

[Marq]

Meanwhile in Durban......

I think this visa story is a smokescreen for the poor economy at the moment.
Our occupancy and enquiry rate is way down and my main market is the business traveler.
People that used to come every month are now coming every 6 months.
Companies that used to send three staff down are only sending one.
Guys that came for a whole week are only coming for two days.
New business is zero this month. I am relying on returning guests.
The special offers are coming out big time and that is a sure sign of low occupancies.
I do not know what the current numbers are but last year in Umhlanga it was reported that there was an average of 40% occupancy - that the hotels which have grown from 4 to 14 in the area are battling to stay afloat.

The home affairs dept in their infinite wisdom are quite correct - they have nothing to do with it. But then they have nothing to do with anything it would seem.

I am glad that CT is still alive as that means there is some hope out there.
Talk to any tourist about the country and all they know is Cape Town, Kruger Park and stay away from Johannesburg.
KZN and Durban cannot get out the starting blocks as a result of incompetence, even with some of the countries best tourist spots available to them.

Its a debacle of note.