The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) believes South Africa’s advancement as a global tourist destination of choice will, from Monday, face disruption owing to the introduction of a new travel law that requires all children travelling to the country to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate.

The chamber noted that, while the rationale for this measure may be justified as a means of controlling human trafficking, it “defied understanding” in the context of promoting economic growth through tourism.

“The legislation emanating from the Department of Home Affairs, despite offering a grace period, is tantamount to economic sabotage. 

“We call on government to face the economic realities. Tourism is responsible for 9% of the country’s gross domestic product  and its potential to create jobs is widely acknowledged. There is no more appropriate time for the efforts and initiatives of government to be thoroughly integrated in common purpose and through consultation with the business communities,” it said in a statement.

According to Sacci, while airlines were attempting to ensure that all passengers met the new requirement, their efforts had been frustrated by “bureaucratic bungling”.  

The Board of Airlines in South Africa reported that there had been five different versions of the standard operating procedures leading to “extensive confusion” and the industry had been unable to engage government, despite the Presidential promise of a task team to address concerns.