Cabinet's approval of the recommendations to relax South Africa's new visa regulations have been widely applauded by industry role players. Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy said in a statement the tourism industry will benefit from the approved recommendations that travel agents be allowed to make visa applications on behalf of clients and that the birth certificate requirement for travelling minors would no longer include the word "abridged". Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom on Friday … [Read more...] about Good news for PE Tourism
tourism
April Foreign tourist numbers drop
A comparison between the movements in April 2014 and April 2015 indicates that the volume of departures decreased for both South African residents and foreign travellers, according to the latest data released by Stats SA on Monday. While the volume of arrivals increased for South African residents they decreased for foreign travellers. In April 2015 there were 1 169 290 foreign arrivals to South Africa, according to the latest data released by Stats SA on Monday. A comparison between … [Read more...] about April Foreign tourist numbers drop
Hanekom says tourism can do well despite visa issues
The SA tourism and events industry must go ahead and do what it does well regardless of challenges like the new visa regulations, safety, affordability, ease of entry into the country and air access, Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said on Monday. "I don't want to downplay the huge challenges you face, but it is imperative that you work together with us and do what you do and do it well, regardless of what happens around you," Hanekom said at the opening of the 29th congress of the … [Read more...] about Hanekom says tourism can do well despite visa issues
1 million new jobs are at risk
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba should be asked why he is not taking heed of the private sectors' concerns regarding the decline in tourist numbers and the resulting outcry of the tourism industry, Beverley Schäfer, DA Western Cape spokesperson on economic opportunities, tourism and agriculture, said on Tuesday. According to the latest Tourism Business Index of the Tourism Business Council of SA business performance levels across the tourism value chain have dropped from 99.9 points in … [Read more...] about 1 million new jobs are at risk
SA Tourism markets ‘will simply fall away’
SA's new visa regulations requiring unabridged birth certificates will result in the country simply not being seen as a family destination over time, Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said on Tuesday. He was addressing the standing committee on economic opportunities, tourism and agriculture at the Provincial Parliament. He gave the example of a large tour operator who simply changed its marketing for family destinations to places other than South Africa, due to … [Read more...] about SA Tourism markets ‘will simply fall away’
Reasons why your Guest House could be under-performing
The SA tourism industry is being pounded on all fronts, with new legislation on unabridged birth certificates and visa restrictions packing the biggest punch, the latest SA Tourism Business Index (TBI) showed. The TBI for the second quarter of 2015 was released on Monday and showed a newly pessimistic outlook, according to the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA). The TBI is compiled for the TBCSA by Grant Thornton. The negative contribution factors cited by respondents in the … [Read more...] about Reasons why your Guest House could be under-performing
Child Trafficking will not be solved by “mock legislation”
The head of two of the world's biggest travel and tour operator groupings on Tuesday slammed South Africa's new visa regulations as a measure to scare off all families from travelling to South Africa. This comes as more concern was voiced at the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting about the impact and effectiveness of new South African visa regulations, especially the requirement for unabridged birth certificates for minors travelling to the country. Lars … [Read more...] about Child Trafficking will not be solved by “mock legislation”
South Africa’s Looming Tourism Tragedy
The countdown has begun for the implementation of South Africa’s new visa rules for children, which from 1 June 2015 requires an unabridged birth certificate for all travelling children travelling to, through or out of SA. While Tourism minister Derek Hanekom has expressed concern about the effect of new visa regulations on the tourism industry he felt it was too early to determine its exact impact on the industry that grew by 6.6% in 2014, reportedly higher than most countries' averages. … [Read more...] about South Africa’s Looming Tourism Tragedy
Tourism on the up
Nelson Mandela Bay experienced a busy and festive summer season with visitors, families and locals enjoying all the destination had on offer. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) statistics reflected a general improvement overall. During December 2014, approximately 367 753 bed nights were sold in Nelson Mandela Bay at an average occupancy of 79.17% up by 8.40%. It is estimated that in the region of 319 253 overnight visitors came to Nelson Mandela Bay spending in the region of R346 282 013, up … [Read more...] about Tourism on the up
10 Reasons to visit Port Elizabeth
This is courtesy of the FlySAA Destination Guide: Often nicknamed the ‘friendly city’ or the ‘windy city’ (due to its coastal proximity), Port Elizabeth stretches for 16kilometers along Algoa Bay and is located in the Eastern Cape Province. One of South Africa’s largest cities, Port Elizabeth forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality with a population of approximately 1.3 million. With its location in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth boasts of having 300 out of 365 days … [Read more...] about 10 Reasons to visit Port Elizabeth
International tourist arrivals to SA grew to almost 10 million last year
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says continued investment in tourism is paying off through job creation, the growth of SMMEs and rural development. The tourism sector directly employed 617 000 people in 2012, which made up 4.6% of the total workforce then. "If we add indirect employment, it exceeds 1.4 million people - roughly 10% of the total workforce. This represents an impressive annual growth rate of 4.7% over the past 20 years," said Minister Hanekom in Parliament on Wednesday. The … [Read more...] about International tourist arrivals to SA grew to almost 10 million last year
Reasons to feel proud of Port Elizabeth
Sometimes when living in a wonderful city the residents fail to see the beauty and advantages. Despite the gloom and doom talk centered mainly around the political kindergarten there are many positive things happening outside of the political space. On the business side there are many companies waiting for budget approval for capex spend in excess of R300 million each. I discovered that PE is a gateway for an immense number of foreign tourists on their way to our game parks - especially … [Read more...] about Reasons to feel proud of Port Elizabeth
Occupancy and Tourism Spend up on 2012
Holiday fever filled the air as many gathered on the Bays shores this summer. Hot weather with an equivalent line up of hot events and activities set Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) ablaze with excitement. Sold out events/concerts, excellent weather to enjoy blue flag beaches extended shopping hours and easy accessibility to various attractions ensured NMB was the hot pick for a winning holiday. Ms Mandlakazi Skefile, CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism commented; "The summer holiday season is very … [Read more...] about Occupancy and Tourism Spend up on 2012
Tourist arrivals to SA increase by 5.1%
Tourist arrivals to South Africa grew by 5.1% during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. "Tourism arrivals to South Africa continue to grow in 2013, with growth in arrivals recorded from all regions. Our growth is in line with global averages for the period. "According the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), growth in global tourist arrivals was 5.2% during the first six months of 2013," said Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk. Tourist arrivals … [Read more...] about Tourist arrivals to SA increase by 5.1%
Visit PE
Today I am attending Speed Marketing Workshop at The Boardwalk Hotel & Convention Centre. This is all being held to promote Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape as a tourism destination and is being attended by high profile tourism operators from across the country. The plan is to tweet a take away from each of the speakers below and to get people to use the #visitpe hashtag. Of course MyPE has also been doing their bit for a while now by promoting this list vigorously: Top 10 … [Read more...] about Visit PE
