Share

AU wants easy visa process for tourists

Durban - A number of steps are required to ensure Africa increases its share of the global tourism market, African Union Commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Friday.

Eliminating complicated visa processes, liberalising air routes, and eliminating poaching were all required for Africa to gain a greater share of the global tourism market, she told a tourism industry indaba in Durban.

Dlamini-Zuma said tourist wanted to visit but were not interested in having to face administrative hurdles.

"We must work on a simplified visa and joint visas," she said, adding that this would make travelling between countries easier for tourists.

She said the "scourge of poaching" posed a major threat to tourism.

"The scale of poaching shows the existence of a well organised crime ring [working] with high-ranking public officials."

The loss of wildlife would be catastrophic for future generations as well as future tourism benefits.

She said the AU was aiming to make Africa the preferred travel destination by 2063, but much needed to be done before then.

Dlamini-Zuma said that apart from attracting overseas tourists, Africa also needed to tap into the continent's own 300 million-strong middle class with its growing disposable income.

"We must ensure they spend it [the disposable income] on the continent."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders