Exhibitors at this year’s Africa Travel Indaba have raised concerns that the that anti-immigrant sentiments expressed being in some parts of South Africa, like xenophobic attacks and the Operation Dudula campaign could hamper efforts to promote travel and trade among African countries.
This is just as they call on African governments to do away with visa requirements that inhibit free movement of African in the continent.
According to sabcnews.com, the continent’s largest tourism expo which is being held in Durban, has drawn in close to 4 000 delegates this year.
They are attending to cement business relations, to network with others in the tourism sector and share examples of best practice from across the continent.
A tour operator from Lesotho’s Makhotlong Expeditions, Khabiso Nkune, is calling on African leaders to address xenophobia urgently.
“The governments need to get together and discuss this because Africans need to love Africans, Africans need to support Africans. That’s what we need right now. On our level, as a businessperson it’s killing us, it’s killing us because I want to travel to any place free. I want to I would love to stay in any place in Africa free without feeling like I don’t belong there or intimidated.
Meanwhile, the sales manager of the Polana Serena Hotel in Mozambique, Oscaldo Inguane says the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that African countries need each other now more than ever.
Inguane says African governments should consider doing away with visa requirements for intra-African travel.
What COVID-19 made us realise is that Africa is standing alone on this fight for us, it was a bit hectic and you know. So we have to stand for ourselves and if we managed to get the free trade, if we if we managed to ease restrictions on our borders, I don’t think it makes sense for an African to travel in Africa and to still request for a visa.”
