Attacks on foreigners hurt tourism

THE attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa have had an effect on the number of tourists from the rest of Africa wanting to visit the country.

And Australians are deterred by safety fears and the negative attitudes of South African expats living there.

This is according to Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa who gave details about tourist arrivals in a series of parliamentary questions asked by DA MPs.

In response to a question about where South African tourism was investing advertising spend but seeing low brand positivity ratings, Xasa said Nigeria and Australia ranked lowest.

She said Nigerians perceived South Africans as not having a welcoming attitude to West Africans and were influenced by attacks on foreign nationals. Visa processing was also a problem. She said Australia had low brand positivity ratings because of concerns about safety and security and the negative sentiments by expats.

In response to another question, Xasa said visa issues and attacks on foreign nationals were also keeping other African tourists away.

Arrivals from the US had, meanwhile, increased by around 9% – because of improved perceptions there of safety, and the favourable exchange rate.