The Minister, better know as Kortbroek says there are opportunities to accelerate the creation of regional visa schemes. This would allow international visitors and intra-African travellers to move more freely and efficiently and this will be to the benefit of Africa.
Kortbroek says Africa has a long way to go to capitalise on its unique attractions and cultural diversity but that visa barriers need to be overcome. “The bureaucracy and costs involved in applying for and issuing visas are a major impediment to foreigners wishing to visit our shores, and to our own people who travel on our continent.”
He also said Africa needs a long-term plan to create an intra-continental air transport system. New-model lower cost airlines could cater for market segments that are currently under-served on the continent. Kortbroek feels the African continent is on the verge of an unprecedented tourism boom over the next two decades. “In a mere three years from now, there will be just over 50 African cities with populations exceeding three million,” he says.
