The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) warmly welcomes Parliament’s decisive intervention to resolve the long-standing backlog in tour operator licensing – a challenge that has burdened the tourism industry for nearly a decade.
In a recent meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Parliament called for urgent corrective measures to clear outstanding applications, end inconsistent enforcement, and halt the unfair impoundment and fining of operators who had already applied and were awaiting approval.
The committee further highlighted that hundreds of applications remain outstanding and warned that delays have placed severe financial strain on operators and threatened jobs across the tourism value chain.
For years, operators faced penalties and even vehicle impoundments despite complying with regulations while waiting for licences to be processed – a situation that disrupted businesses nationwide and undermined confidence in the sector.
FEDHASA National Chairperson Brett Tungay said: “The tour operator industry in South Africa can now breathe a sigh of relief as Parliament steps in to intervene in a decade-long struggle marked by licensing delays, unfair impoundments and inconsistent enforcement of regulations.
“This is a major step toward restoring fairness, certainty and dignity to operators who have been trying to comply with the law while simply attempting to keep their businesses alive. Tourism is an ecosystem. When tour operators suffer, accommodation establishments, restaurants, attractions, guides and local communities all suffer with them.”
FEDHASA noted that tour operators form a critical link in the tourism economy, directly supporting accommodation, restaurants, activity providers and transport services. Tourism is a significant contributor to employment and economic growth in South Africa, and regulatory certainty is essential for investment and recovery.
Parliament has also called for improved governance at the National Public Transport Regulator, increased processing capacity, and alignment across provinces to prevent further inconsistent enforcement.
Tungay added: “This outcome demonstrates what can be achieved when government and industry work together constructively. We now look forward to the implementation phase – clearing the backlog, restoring operational certainty, and allowing the tourism sector to focus on what it does best: welcoming visitors and creating jobs.”
FEDHASA believes this intervention marks an important turning point for rebuilding confidence in South Africa as a tourism destination and enabling the sector to grow, invest and employ more South Africans.
