South Africa should continue to prioritise the Middle East because it holds two strategic air hubs, namely Dubai and Doha, says Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu.
Sisulu engaged with potential investors during a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim is to strengthen relations between South Africa and the UAE into “a more comprehensive strategic partnership”. Potential investors shared concerns about safety and security in SA as a hindrance to sustainable investments.
The UAE is one of South Africa’s top bilateral trade partners in the Middle East, with total exports worth R25.4 billion in 2018. Through South Africa’s tourism recovery plan, the intention is to match specific tourism investment opportunities to potential financiers. Prominent investors from the region in SA’s tourism sector include the Otaiba Group and the Dubai Investment Corporation.
Sisulu acknowledges that the association of SA with the identification of Covid-19 variants like Omicron has damaged the country’s brand reputation. This led to a number of countries restricting travel from SA. Some, like the UK, has since relaxed its regulations again.
“Tourism can only thrive when borders are open,” Sisulu said in a statement. “As countries begin to relax barriers to and from South Africa, increased resumption of travel is likely to occur and speed up the recovery of the [tourism] industry. Ports of entry into South Africa are fully equipped to ensure the safety of all travellers entering and leaving the country.”
Fin24
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