JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A visa stand-off between South Africa and New Zealand is hurting the region's tourism industry with tour cancellations and diversions to other destinations, tour operators say.
New Zealand introduced visa requirements for South African passport holders on Nov. 21 last year, saying there had been many people trying to enter New Zealand with fake South African passports.
South Africa reciprocated by withdrawing visa exemptions to New Zealand passport holders as of Jan. 16 this year.
Margie Whitehouse, chief marketing officer of South African Tourism, told Xinhua that there have been a major drop in tourist arrivals in South Africa from New Zealand.
"The visa requirements have certainly affected tourism arrivals from New Zealand," Whitehouse said. "Between January and July 2017, there was a decrease of 23.3 percent in the number of tourist arrivals from New Zealand when compared to the same period last year."
"While we cannot place the responsibility on the change in visa requirements, the fact that New Zealanders applying for visas to travel to South Africa must do so in person... pertains," he said.
"For most, this involves not only travel but also associated expenses. Adding to these challenges, is the backlog of applications with reports of up to a month in waiting time," Whitehouse added.
"We would like to continue to see growth from this market and therefore are in constant communication with the Department of Home Affairs and the South Africa High Commission to ensure that the visa application requirements are clearly communicated and that the process is as seamless as possible for all New Zealand nationals wishing to come experience our beautiful country," he said.
Part of the engagements include exploring a similar model to the Chinese market where "accredited travel companies" can apply on behalf of the travellers.
Chris Worden, manager of Zambezi Safari and Travel Company in Zimbabwe, told Xinhua that the visa requirements by both countries is deterring visitors from coming to the region.
"I lost a huge booking worth 64,000 U.S. dollars from a party of six New Zealanders who live in Hong Kong," Worden said. "They cannot travel to Wellington to get a visa so they cancelled their trip."
"The sad thing is the safari was to Zimbabwe and Botswana but they have to fly via Johannesburg which is the hub.
"All they were doing was spending one night in Johannesburg as flights did not connect same day," he said.
