Tour operators from South Africa’s neighbouring countries have welcomed concessions to South Africa’s stringent immigration regulations but they fear it might take some time to restore the damage that has already been done.

Emmanuel Fundira, Group Chief Executive at Astoc Leisure Group, says the review of the visa regulations is welcome but long overdue and should be considered as ‘very late damage control’. “It will unfortunately take very long to restore credibility in the market. The market is very fickle and thrives on consistency.”

Implementing the new visa regulations was “a ridiculous thing to do in the first place,” says Ade Coley, owner of Flatdogs Camp. “The damage is done and it will take a while for people to trust South Africa again.”

Grant Cumings, owner Chiawa Camp in Zambia, adds that more clarification is needed to understand exactly how the new regulations will be relaxed. “It seems there is still a lot of uncertainty, as authorities are still demanding unabridged birth certificates.”

“Consistent and up-to-date information must be made a priority when it comes to visa regulations,” agrees Stephanie Von Allmen, of Mozambique-based Dana Tours. She says inconsistency with regard to visa regulations will cause many travellers to think twice about visiting Mozambique.

“We are excited about the concessions,” says Katja Quasdorf, Product & Marketing Director Jenman Safaris, adding that she would like to see South Africa move even further forward towards the introduction of a univisa for the SADC region. She says as a lot of countries are moving forward and are discussing the univisa, it almost seems that South Africa was moving backwards. “That shouldn’t happen in a country that is reliant on tourism for its GDP. It’s great that the Department of Home Affairs is reversing the requirements, but we should actually move further forward towards the univisa.”

Kevin Record, owner Ibo Island Lodge in Mozambique, agrees and says facilitating the visa process by introducing a univisa, streamlining the application process, visa on arrival and reduction in visa costs can all have an immediate and measurable impact on tourist travel to the region.

Record adds that the relaxation will undoubtedly be positive for tourism to Mozambique. He says 90% of Ibo Island’s guests fly in from South Africa. Although it’s almost impossible to measure the exact impact the regulations have had for onward travel, Record says he believes a substantial amount of bed nights were lost. “Feedback from most properties is that they are down around 20% on last year. Ibo stats support this trend and may end 25% lower than 2014. Scary stuff for lodge owners in Mozambique.”