Tourism Update readers are widely optimistic that reappointed Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and newly-inaugurated Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber will address the obstacles facing South Africa’s tourism industry.

In response to our latest poll, 54% of readers said they were optimistic the new ministerial appointments would effectively address the barriers to inbound tourism. Just 14% said they were not optimistic that the appointments would lead to positive change, while 32% are still understandably unsure over how effective the new ministers will be.

Tourism associations have warmly welcomed De Lille’s reappointment after her 18-month stint at the helm of the Department of Tourism towards the end of the country’s last administration. The industry is also optimistic that the appointment of Schreiber will fast-track the country’s efforts to eradicate long-standing visa issues.

What should the GNU focus on?

South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has brought with it several new faces in parliament and the ministerial cabinet.

Collaborative efforts between key departments such as the Department of Tourism, Home Affairs and Transport will be critical in order to stimulate the tourism sector and help South Africa to achieve the ambitious targets it has set for inbound arrivals.

Tourism Minister De Lille, along with Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu, and Home Affairs Minister  Schreiber, have already expressed their intent to resolve the issues facing tourism.

We want to know what your hopes are for the GNU.

Our poll question this week is: