AIR China is to commence direct flights to South Africa‚ according to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
“The DA is aware of the imminent announcement that Air China will start direct flights to South Africa‚ from Beijing on 29 October 2015‚ running three flights a week‚” DA spokesman on tourism James Vos said on Sunday.
He said the DA welcomed the news at a time when tourism to South Africa was
“plummeting under draconian new visa regulations”.
by Staff writer, July 19 2015, 15:43
Air China plane, with Chinese President Xi Jinping onboard, taxis shortly after landing in Ufa, Russia. Picture: REUTERS/BRICS/PHOTOHOST/RIA NOVOSTI
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“Now that Air China will commence direct flights‚ it is more important than ever that government heeds the DA’s calls for these job killing regulations to be suspended‚ reviewed and replaced with systems that make it easier for tourists to visit our country‚ not harder‚”Vos said in a statement.Earlier this year Air China had announced that they would not be implementing direct flights to South Africa‚ Vos said‚ adding that their change of mind was welcomed.Air China would operate their flight via a code sharing deal with South African Airways‚ he said.
Vos added that while China was one of South Africa’s largest tourism markets‚ it had experienced a steadily decline. “The first quarter of this year saw a 38% drop in arrivals of tourists from China to the country‚ compared to the same period last year‚ due to the new regulations.
“The DA welcomes further news that two new additional visa centres will be opened in China‚ in Guangzhou and Chengdu by the end of July.
“This will bring the total number of Visa centres in China to four‚ including Shanghai and Beijing.
“New Visa centres may make things a little easier for Chinese tourists‚ but the DA maintains that the introduction of electronic visas and biometrics on arrival instead of the new Visa regulations‚ should be the way forward for South Africa.
“These technologies have proven to be very effective‚ safe and have improved turnaround time in the countries in which they have been adopted‚ such as Turkey‚” Vos said.
He added that the DA had consistently highlighted the dire impact these new Visa regulations would have on South Africa’s tourism industry. According to the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa‚ the new regulations could cost the tourism sector over R6.8 billion and result in severe job cuts.
“The ANC forced these regulations through in the face of massive opposition and despite warnings of the negative impact these regulations would have on our tourism industry.
“The tourism industry contributes 9% of our GDP and employs 1.5 million South Africans. Its growth and success is vital to growing our economy and creating jobs for the 36% of South Africans who cannot find work.
“The DA welcomes Air China’s move and will continue to press for more tourist-friendly visa procedures‚” Vos said.
RDM Newswire
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