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Tourism businesses in Mossel Bay have begun to feel the effects of reduced visitor numbers, as a direct result of South Africa's new visa regulations.
A local surfing company which offers 14 day tours that are sold largely in the Russian market, reported that guests cancelled as a direct result of the new visa requirements.
Western Cape MEC of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde petitioned Parliament to suspend the regulations, pending an assessment of their effects and called it irrational and unlawful.
Marcia Holm from Mossel Bay Tourism agrees, saying they call on minister Malusi Gigaba to suspend and review the new regulations in the light of the immediate and clear negative economic and social effects they are causing..
"Mossel Bay and indeed the entire country cannot afford to lose business due to the ill effects of this ill conceived bureaucracy. We do sympathise with Home Affairs and the Minister's intentions to secure South Africa's borders, but we believe that he failed to listen when the tourism industry made it's position clear some time ago" she said
