Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Manny de Freitas MP.
The United Kingdom (UK) has issued a travel alert to their residents who plan to visit Cape Town. The travel alert warns tourists about the current taxi violence and protest strike action and the potential compromised safety of visitors. Considering that the UK is of the biggest tourism markets, this travel alert is of particular concern.
The politicisation by certain top ANC politicians has escalated the issue and may well have a direct impact on the excellent tourism growth figures experienced in Cape Town and the Western Cape. It is clear that the ANC government do not understand that every sector has an impact on another, to a greater or lesser extent and in one way or another. In this case; a taxi strike which attempts to halt the City of Cape Town has a direct impact on various sectors which includes tourism. The travel alert issued by the UK is a direct example.
Protest action in the form demonstrated recently by taxis may well dramatically reduce the number of tourists visiting Cape Town and the Western Cape. This in turn, impact negatively on the economy of not only the City of Cape Town and Western Cape but also impacts on the rest of South Africa. Our economy and its recovery should be our priority above that of politics.
I will be writing to the Minister of tourism, Minister Patricia de Lille, to request her to approach her transport counterpart to request that this issue be resolved as speedily as possible and that in the meantime that taxis be requested to allow traffic to flow without hinderance so that there is minimal impact on tourism.