Pretoria - There has been an increase in the number of British visitors to South Africa, said the South African Department of Home Affairs.
Home Affairs refuted reports that that the country's visa regulations were causing “serious problems” for British visitors to the country.
Department spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said: “We wish to categorically state that these reports are baseless and inaccurate, stemming largely from exaggeration and distortion of facts.”
He said the same went for reports indicating that families were also experiencing problems as a result of the visa regulations. Tshwete said in fact the department's data showed that “more travellers from the UK are coming to our shores”.
According to the data, there was a three percent increase in the number of British travellers to South Africa during November 1 to December 23, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.
Tshwete pointed out that during this period, 82 772 British travellers visited South Africa, compared to 79 998 in 2014.
He said the data showed that the number of children travelling from the United Kingdom (UK) to South Africa also increased, from 8 508 in 2014 to 8 745 in 2015 during the same period.
He added that the department's officials were doing “the best that they can, even with the heavy pressure exerted by the high festive season traveller volumes” as ensuring improved traveller processing efficiencies was a priority.
This increase in the numbers of tourists visiting the country from the UK, said Tshwete, indicated that “the Department has “always been consistent in discussions of the 2014 immigration regulations”.
South Africa was forced to overhaul its controversial visa regulations which had led to a sharp decrease in visitor numbers.
Tshwete said South Africa welcomed tourists and other people visiting South Africa as “tourism stimulates economic activity, assisting South Africa in realising the aims of the National Development Plan”.
Recalling the concessions made by Cabinet in October, Tshwete said that Home Affairs wanted “what is best for the country”, but at the same time, was cognisant that it could not be “reckless” when it came to drafting policies and implementing them.
For this reason, said Tshwete, it was essential to be aware of “the need to consciously balance economic goals with security interests”.
ANA