With the pilot phase of SARS’ new ‘travel pass’ due to kick off on November 1, half of the respondents to Tourism Update’s latest poll say that, despite being in favour of an online declaration system to streamline customs procedures, implementation will be a stumbling block.

Exactly 50% of respondents said the new system (which is being piloted at King Shaka International Airport from November 1) was needed, but implementing it would be problematic.

A further 36% said customs procedures at the country’s ports of entry did not need to be modernised at all, with only 14% saying the introduction of the online system was ‘very good news’ for the tourism industry.

SARS has said that the electronic online portal will allow travellers to made declarations of goods or cash on a voluntary basis, well ahead of the arrival or departure to or from South Africa, as part of a broader South African Traveller Management System.

It said the system “will, during the pilot phase, be fine-tuned based on insights gained as well as further engagement and feedback with various government departments and other stakeholders”.

What should SA Tourism’s new board focus on?

There are high hopes that South African Tourism’s new board will play a strong role in advancing the growth and recovery of the sector.

Acting CEO of SA Tourism, Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo, said the new board’s mandate would also be to contribute to the ideals of the National Development Plan, including job creation, advancement of SMMEs, and market access for women and youth in tourism.  

In this week’s poll, we want to know the area in which you think the new board of South African Tourism needs to focus most of its attention.