Satsa, South Africa's inbound tourism association, released a statement citing concerns that recent U.S. policy developments could distort traveler perceptions of the country, stressing that the country remains "an open, welcoming destination."
The statement follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month that suspends foreign aid to South Africa and proposes resettlement opportunities for Afrikaner farmers amid ongoing land reform debates in the country.
"We cannot allow sensationalist rhetoric to undo years of recovery in our tourism industry or mislead travelers about what awaits them here," Satsa CEO David Frost said in the statement.
In the statement, Frost drew parallels to the so-called Cape Town water crisis of 2018: "Dramatic
warnings about 'Day Zero' [the day the city's water supply would be exhausted] created unnecessary concern even as solutions
were being implemented. Today, we must prevent speculative commentary
from shaping travel decisions," he said.
Satsa confirmed
coordination with government and trade partners to disseminate real-time
updates. "Our priority is ensuring travelers and operators receive
factual information," said Frost. "Tourism relies on truth; those who
visit see firsthand why South Africa remains extraordinary."
Controversial topic
Land ownership remains a controversial issue in South Africa, with much of the farmland still in the hands of white landowners three decades after the fall of apartheid. In January, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa signed the new Expropriation Act into law, allowing the government to seize land for public purposes with just and equitable compensation instead of full market value. In rare cases, land can be taken without compensation if it is abandoned or not being used productively.
• Related: National parks layoffs called 'reckless'
Trump has condemned the law, claiming it unfairly targets white landowners and could lead to farm seizures similar to those in Zimbabwe. However, the South African government insists that land will not be taken arbitrarily and that all expropriations must go through the courts.
According to U.S.-based travel operator Raza Visram from African Mecca Safaris, Trump's executive order has not had an impact on demand for South Africa as a destination for American travelers.
"People who want to travel to South Africa will travel there because it is an excellent destination to visit. Travels to Africa attract well-rounded and open-minded travelers, and one or a few people's opinions is not the opinion of the majority, including those who are in the Trump administration."
• Related: Cruise lines will pay more in taxes, commerce secretary says
Jim Holden of Holden Safaris agreed.
"[The political rhetroric] has had no impact on Americans' plans to travel to South Africa, and I doubt that it will," he said. "Americans are much more worried about cuts that affect them directly, such as medical and retirement benefits."