The national associations of travel agents and tour operators in France have written to the departments of Home Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Affairs asking them to improve the laws regarding the entrance of children into South Africa. Under SA’s new immigration regulations, from June 1, children travelling into, through and out of SA are required to produce an unabridged birth certificate.
The French travel agents say they agree that laws should combat child trafficking, but suggest the new regulations will harm South Africa’s inbound tourism. “South Africa is a family destination, which is currently very popular in France and these new dispositions make procedures for French citizens very complicated, especially as all the required documents need to be translated by a certified translator,” the agents write in one letter.
“Several of the members of our syndicate, who programme the destination, inform us of a possible drop by 40% in sales to South Africa,” a second letter warns.
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The French trade’s suggestions include not having to provide sworn translations of documents; the acceptability of an extract of the French birth certificate, which is available in all languages; and that a standard attestation (affidavit) is drawn up for all travellers. The trade also requests that travellers booking with a recognised tour operator be exonerated from the requirements.