Travel Trade Southern Africa

19/12/2023

equipment
form


We received a notification earlier today that travellers arriving at Cape Town Airport were asked for payment by customs officials, for bringing camera equipment into South Africa, although this equipment belonged to these travellers and was not being imported into South Africa.

With high volumes expected through South Africa's ports of entry and exit, officials will likely be enforcing policies very strictly in the coming weeks. Please find some useful reminders and resources below:

Declaring electronic equipment in South Africa

Travellers arriving in South Africa are advised to declare their electronic equipment, including cameras and laptops, even if they intend to take these items with them upon their departure from South Africa.

Although customs officials may not always enforce this rule for travellers with standard personal electronics, it is best practice to comply, avoiding potential hassles and delays. There is currently no specific value threshold for declaring electronic equipment.

Declaration process
Online Traveller Declaration System: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/
Manual Declaration: Complete the physical Traveller Card (TC01 form) upon arrival at customs
Returning home: When departing South Africa, travellers are not required to declare the same equipment again if this was declared upon arrival and proof (online confirmation or stamped TC01 form) has been retained

Refundable cash deposits or import duties on goods

Ensure your travellers are aware they may need to pay refundable cash deposits or import duties on certain goods brought into South Africa temporarily. Refunds are provided once the goods are shown to have left the country.

You can access the SARS Traveller Leaflet here which provides essential information on prohibited items, restrictions, duty-free allowances, and other pertinent customs details. It is critical that you share this with your clients to review before their travel to South Africa.

What you need to know The online Traveller Declaration System introduced in November 2022 has been successfully implemented at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). The online declaration system is an improvement f...

24/10/2023

We trust that you will agree that the benefits we have provided to date are numerous, and that our fees are very reasonable.

Membership fees will be valid for 12 months from month of payment.
Cost per application:
· R350,00 - Tourist Guides and Tourism/Transfer Drivers
· R1200,00 - Affiliate Members
* Note: Those wishing to register under multiple categories, will be charged the lowest fee that they qualify for, for each category that they list under.

eg: A Tourist Guide who also wants to list as a Wheels Operator will pay:
· (2 x R350.00) 2 listings at Tourist Guide rate
· NOT (1 x R350.00 Tourist Guide rate) + (1 x R1200.00 Affiliate rate)

National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates South Africa NPC
Registered NPC: 2019/135866/08
FNB
Branch Code: 252445
Account: 62814926450
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Branch: Menlyn Maine

Please use as payment reference whichever is applicable:
· Name Surname
or
· Name of your business entity
Click on the link below to sign up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdal4bZflnoZdobudi-1TIA9bkHpVhG_eqhcsrvKnRik1AbLA/viewform?usp=send_form

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/tourist-guide-body-seeks-elevate-benefits

The National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates (NFTGA) in South Africa has recently started charging annual membership fees to improve the benefits and co-operation of associated members.

25/06/2022

Spread the news. Share it. Post it. Blow this out of the water.

Click on the biz news link and share it.

https://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2022/06/24/destroying-sa-economy-tourism?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR1PxQs-mHBwiDaSuNv6jGcxr9Fo8RHuJPgYaiYDx8KeeCxR1yInMHCTLlc&fs=e&s=cl

Now, just as the devastated tourism industry finally looks forward to rebuilding from the calamitous last few years, it faces a new enemy.

04/11/2021

Thanks to a camera trap an unexpected sighting were caught at De Hoop Nature Reserve: a first record in scientific literature of an extremely rare albino honey badger at this reserve!

Read more here: https://www.capenature.co.za/news/2021/ghosted-first-scientific-record-of-albino-honey-badger-on-de-hoop-nature-reserve

03/11/2021

MTPA rates Nov 2021 till October 2022

11/09/2021

Interesting….

29/06/2021

Amendment to Gazette issued 27 June 2021 - adapted Level 4

New regulations are out, please see below the amendment that allows full capacity at hotels or accommodation establishments

28/06/2021

POPIA Disclaimer for this page/Group.

As we all know the compliance due date for the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”), is steadfastly approaching. This deadline brings a few changes as all groups need to adhere to the POPI Act.

One of these changes is that the administrators will be required to obtain your consent for being part of this page. As such, you are herewith notified that you are entitled to refuse such consent and you may exercise such a right by leaving this group.

Should you elect to remain in this group, it will be accepted that you have consented to being a part of this group and to your personal information (being your Facebook profile, name and surname, any other information you share i.e telephone number or address) being noticeable to any person in this page.

In this regard, we earnestly implore all members of this group not to make use of such personal information for whatsoever reason, without obtaining the consent of the relevant person.

27/05/2021

A very important issue - an easy one that small operators tend to brush off as being unnecessary.

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/tourism-businesses-face-steep-fines-popi-non-compliance?fbclid=IwAR0tH43qP1hwL5DCz7PqDq6koJbTbfg5nMWKoKKDwS26RuFaYc4RHV3TEz0

In just over a month (July 1), the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPI) kicks in, which means all tourism businesses dealing with suppliers, customers and employees need to be

25/05/2021

Credit: SATSA

25/05/2021

Kenya Airways and Airlink have signed an interline agreement.

It will enable passengers to book a through-ticket to Nairobi and make connections to the rest of Kenya Airways’ destinations within Africa.

Kenya Airways and Airlink have signed an interline agreement that will extend the airlines’ reach in the Southern African and the East African regions respectively. The new agreement will offer

25/05/2021

SUN CITY OPEN:
The Valley of Waves, will be closed for annual maintenance between May 30 and July 7.

Due to COVID-19 regulations a limited number of tickets are available for online purchase only, from www.ticketpros.co.za.
Tickets are R290 for children aged 3-12 years, and R395 for adults. This includes entry to Sun City and the Valley of Waves and a meal voucher worth R80.

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/sun-city-opens-daily

Sun City Resort, just a two-hour drive from Pretoria, is now open daily for day visitors after months of gradually easing access. Guests can take a quad bike or mountain bike through the Letsatsing

19/02/2021

For those who are interested:

EVDS Registration Portal

18/02/2021

We INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE VIRTUAL International Tourist Guide Day Celebrations on 21st of February at 16h00 on the NFTGA CHAT ROOM

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us might feel discouraged and concerned about the way forward. The NFTGA has put together a short programme to bring about unity.

Some speakers lined up:
- Ms Mirriam Mmaditonki Setwaba - Deputy Director-General: Tourism Sector Support Services at the Department of Tourism;
- Ms Alushca Ritchie - President of the WFTGA;
- Ms Zania Collin - Chairperson of the NFTGA;
- Mr Mannie De Freitas - Shadow Minister of Tourism;
- Mr Rob Milne - author, battlefield expert and explorer;
- Ms Joleen du Plessis - EXCO member and training provider.

To join, log in to https://nftga.org/live/ and ENTER the CHATROOM.

If you have not registered before, follow the instructions and register.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! For registered guides, it is gratis, free, mahala!! Non guides will pay a small fee.

ENTER CHATROOM ENTER MENTORSHIP LOGIN NAME: NFTGA REGISTRATION NUMBER PASSWORD: CELLPHONE NUMBER VIEW PREVIOUS WEBINARS UPCOMING EVENTS NEXT WEBINAR TO BE ANNOUNCED

13/11/2020

NFTGA SOS

13/11/2020

NFTGA ROAD UPDATES

05/11/2020

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) will with effect from 1 December 2020 implement the new tariffs.

The tariffs for the 2020/2021 financial year will remain largely unchanged.

The MTPA will be introducing new tourism activities. These include horse riding and mountain biking at Songimvelo nature reserve.

“The MTPA is governed by the MTPA Act of 2005.

For a detailed schedule of tariffs for each nature reserve, open the link or contact their Reservations Office on +27 13 759 5432 | [email protected]

http://www.mpumalanga.com/files/files/MTPA-General-Schedule-of-Tariffs-2020.pdf

01/11/2020

SANPARKS TARIFFS
1 NOVEMBER 2020 to 31 OCTOBER 2021

All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand
Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice
Errors and omissions excepted

https://www.sanparks.org/docs/tourism_tariffs/tariff_2020_21.pdf?time=1604220003

31/10/2020

Applications are open

THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR – STAFF APPLICATION
HOME / THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

STAFF APPLICATION

WE WANT YOU!
This is an unforgettable working opportunity for passionate individuals! We are looking for dynamic and energetic personalities who arecommitted to delivering exceptional service, working on the ground and getting behind the scenes of an international global sporting event. Do you have what it takes?

http://www.sarugbytravel.com/the-british-irish-lions-tour-staff-application/

SA Rugby Travel is an official agent for The British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa ROW travel programme
For any enquiries, please contact Alisha on: [email protected]

19/10/2020

DHA UPDATE:

Media Statement

Government issues a revised list of high risk countries



19 October 2020



The Government has revised the list of high risk countries based on a risk categorization model.



We continue to be reminded that the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us and we need to continue to take precautions. In its last meeting, the Cabinet instructed the Ministers of Health, Home Affairs and Tourism to lead a process to review the list. The review of the list of high risk countries was done in such a way that it strikes a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods.



Nothing has changed as far as all travellers from the continent of Africa are concerned. They are still welcome to visit the country subject to Covid-19 protocols.



People from high risk countries who may visit SA fall in the following categories: business travellers, holders of critical skills visas, investors and people on international mission in sports, arts, culture and science.

In addition, we recognise that there are a number of regular visitors from mainly European countries that have been accustomed to long periods of visitation to our country during our summer season when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of them own properties in the country. We appreciate the significant economic contribution that they make through their activities in the country. To this end, we will also allow visitors, in whichever category, who are coming to stay for a three months period or more subject to Covid-19 protocols.



People who need to apply must direct email requests to: [email protected], supported by—



(a) a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;

(b) proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic;

(c) proof of travel itinerary; and

(d) proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.



In the first two weeks that the [email protected] email address had been in operation, 4 701 applications were received, mostly from investors in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism. Of these applications, 3 113 have been approved.



These numbers show that on average, 335 investors a day applied to visit the Republic, sending a strong message that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination.



In response to these numbers, the Department of Home Affairs has increased the capacity of people managing the email account to ensure speedier responses and we will try our best to ensure that responses are communicated within 24 hours.



The latest list of high risk countries is:



Argentina

Germany

Peru

Bangladesh

India

Philippines

Belgium

Indonesia

Russia

Brazil

Iran

Spain

Canada

Iraq

United Kingdom

Chile

Italy

USA

Colombia

Mexico



France

Netherlands





The list of these high risk countries will also be found on the Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za



Media Enquiries:

Siya Qoza, ‪082 898 1657 (spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs)
David Hlabane, ‪071 342 4284 (media manager for the Department of Home Affairs)



ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

The DHA is custodian, protector and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons resident in South Africa. This makes it possible for people to realize their rights and access benefits and opportunities in both the public and private domains. By expanding these services to margi...

18/10/2020

NFTGA SOS TOURIST GUIDE AND DRIVER AID PROGRAMME

HOW TO ENTER:

(a) FREE ENTRY - FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

(b) BONUS ENTRIES - TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE SOS FUND

The time has come for the GREAT AFROGEM GIVEAWAY on
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nftgasos

For their very generous donation to assist us in raising awareness for the Fund, thanks to Afrogem Jewellers and Leigh-Ann

As the borders start opening, the public thinks that tourism has recovered. this is far from true. The fact is that for tourist guides and drivers, the bad times are far from over. The time has come where our funds raised through the programme on http://nftgasos.org must make a difference.

The T&Cs of the will be posted on this Facebook Group, but what you need to know now, is how to enter for the giveaway.

Entries open now: 18 October 2020
Entries close on 16 December 2020
Winners will be announced on 18 December 2020

ENTER FOR FREE AS FOLLOWS:

To enter you must write a short catchy statement about any one of the following:

(a) the Afrogem pendants
(b) South Africa and tourism
(c) the NFTGA

It must include the following hashtags:

Please bear in mind the rules of the group when you write the statement.

Post it on the following two places:

(a) your profile
(b) this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nftgasos

ALTERNATIVELY YOU WILL BE GIVEN BONUS ENTRIES FOR DONATING, OR HAVING PREVIOUSLY DONATED TO OUR CAUSE AT:

https://www.nftgasos.org/campaigns/tourist-guide-and-driver-aid-programme

13/10/2020

Dear Adventure Industry Member and extended family,

As you might have read, SATSA recently launched a dedicated Adventure Chapter in recognition of the vital role this sector plays within the tourism industry and its undeniable role in moulding the future in South Africa.

This comes after years of discussions, research and negotiations for an Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation Project. Whilst we might not have been successful in obtaining government funding for that, the information gathered will feed our strategy going forward. We continue to be convinced that adventure tourism offers a strong growth opportunity for South Africa, not only economically and in respect of job creation but as a contribution to rural development as well.

International case studies have, for some time, showed that the adventure tourism industry is being prioritised due to its economic value and regulated due to tourist safety and reputational risk management. Exactly the opportunity and challenge we are currently faced with and for which we need to find a solution.

As you know SATSA is a member-driven association and we are proud to report that we have over 100 members that either offer adventure activities or packages and sells such. This is an amazing amount of collective knowledge and experience that we can harness as the private sector to develop and promote the industry through networking and business to business learning and knowledge sharing. Our members include experts in guide training, developing operational guidelines, risk management and safety and rescue protocols. But there are a host of operators out there and in order to achieve our common goals, we need your participation in the journey.

Our collective aim would be to position South Africa as a top Adventure Tourism destination. How we get there and what we do is up to our members to guide us, hence this survey, but ultimately to do this we need a database of credible products and that is where self-regulation has a role to play.

From your input, the interim committee will develop a draft chapter plan which will then be circulated and discussed at the planned first Adventure Tourism Chapter AGM to be hosted virtually on a date to be announced in November 2020. During the AGM members will also officially appoint the Chapter Committee who will then elect a Chapter Chair to serve on the SATSA Board. Notification of the meeting will be sent in due course.

To give direction and purpose to the chapter, we welcome input from members and non-members (by latest 14 October 2020) to ensure that the voice of the industry is represented. You are welcome to share this survey as widely as possible and encourage your peers to complete and submit it.

Thank you in advance for your time and input into this critical matter.

Kind regards,
SATSA Adventure Chapter Interim Committee

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KF7JMCM

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

01/10/2020

ESWATINI/ SWAZILAND

01/10/2020

NAMIBIA

01/10/2020