LETTER: Brics Summit needs to confirm visa-free for member nations
SA’s international tourism comes from Europe and North Africa almost exclusively, working with our Brics partners would change that, and improve the numbers
The Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA (Brics) Summit hosted in Johannesburg is an opportunity for SA to grow its global share trade by using tourism. I hope that at the conclusion of the summit, SA will have signed visa free travel for its Brics partners.Brics countries are experiencing rapid economic growth and wealth, which usually translates into a desire to consume tourism as part of the habit of holidays.The latest StatsSA results for tourism and migration, noted that international tourism arrivals to SA have decreased by 3.7%. Brics countries must be targeted to improve the number of international tourists that arrive in SA, to use tourism as the new gold to drive our economy.More than 70% of international tourism arrivals come from Europe (47.3%) and North Africa (23.4%), reflecting an over-concentration. This is of concern and SA needs to diversify its international tourism arrivals. During the global recession, there was a decline of tourist arrivals from Europe and North...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.