DA: 38% drop in arrivals of tourists from China

Mbasa Gqokoma

17 July 2015

The Democratic Alliance said the new visa regulations are having a negative impact on the tourism industry, as there has been a decrease in the number of tourists visiting the country.

DA MP of Tourism James Vos said the first quarter of this year saw a 38% drop in arrivals of tourists from China, one of the country’s biggest sources of tourism.

Vos said it is clear that these travel regulations are having devastating effects because of the potential job losses.

Vos added that “we have seen a certain percent decrease in tourism arrivals in our country and this obviously impacts on our ability to build our destination brand as a travel and trade destination of choice”

These travel regulations are making it more difficult for international visitors to visit South Africa, Vos concluded.