Question NW50 to the Minister of Tourism
18 March 2022 - NW50
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
What were the outcomes of her four-day working visit in December 2021 to the United Arab Emirates?
Reply:
The outcomes of the Minister’s working visit included the following:
(i) Discussions took place with diplomats of countries that had put South Africa on a ‘red list’ and these engagements contributed to the lifting of the travel restrictions by a number of countries.
(ii) Following engagements with South Africa’s diplomatic community in North Africa and the Middle East to ensure consistency of messaging in this emerging tourism market, the diplomats committed to communicating the message that South Africa is ready to receive tourists.
(iii) Engagements took place with the Middle East investment community on their appetite and readiness to restart investment activities in South Africa’s tourism sector in light of COVID19. Minister will continue engaging those investors who have shown interest in investing in tourism-mega projects in South Africa during the next financial year.
(iv) Engagements were held with the Middle East carriers on both the need to apply a science-based approach to operational decision making in relation to the COVID19 pandemic as well as the need to explore mutually beneficial collaboration. Following these engagements a Memorandum of Understanding between South African Tourism and Emirates Airlines is in process of being finalised.