THE news that Home Affairs
has extended the ‘grace
period’ given to travellers
to comply with the new
Immigration Act, has been
welcomed by local tour
operators, who – when the
news broke on June 10 that
the regulations would be
implemented on July 1 –
feared the worst: that
masses of SA travellers would
cancel their bookings for the
upcoming school holidays. But
the relief will be short lived,
some operators warn, as the
extended date will only assist
with immediate travel.
“A lot will depend on the
efficiency of Home Affairs,”
cautions Joanne Visagie, sales
and marketing manager of
Beachcomber Tours. “We still
believe that this will impact
travellers significantly as
many clients book at the last
minute and may not yet be in
possession of the unabridged
birth certificates – so it should
reduce future business to
some extent.”
Jackie Adami, md of
Development Promotions,
agrees: “The long-term effect
will still negatively impact
travel into and out of SA. We
don’t believe this has been
thought through or discussed
with the relevant sectors of
the travel industry to ensure
a positive result for all
concerned.”
But DHA has demonstrated
its willingness to make
concessions with the recent
extension of the deadline,
says Erica Barrett, gm of Sun
International Dreams. Her
hope is that, should further
problems occur down the line,
the Department may be open
to further discussions.
“The extension gives us
the time we need to educate
everyone involved,” says
Erica. “We already have a
link on all our emails and are
communicating with agents as
we send out quotes.”
“What is most important
for us is to make sure clients
know how and where to get
unabridged birth certificates,”
says Johann Strydom, md of
World Leisure Holidays.
Gm of marketing for Cullinan
Outbound Tourism, Angela
Wood, says: “I’m sure Home
Affairs will be inundated and,
provided they can cope, travel
should not be affected.”
Angela adds that Cullinan
Outbound has updated all its
documentation, website and
social media. “We have a
communication going out to
the trade this week and all our
staff have been made aware of
the new requirements.”
