Dear Editor
The National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) has failed to meet its deadline, which it provided to the Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works, to clear the tourism operating license backlog by 30 September 2022.
This is an urgent matter that needs to be resolved now, to allow our tour operators to offer their full range of services to visitors to our province. It is especially concerning given that tourism figures are expected to exceed even pre-pandemic figures next year.
These operators enable tourists to travel to iconic sites including Table Mountain, our beaches and vineyards, national and private parks, and much more – all the while supporting small businesses and retailers who benefit from the peak tourism season.
With the season fast approaching, the indifferent attitude from the NPTR places significant strain on our entire tourist industry, as well as the thousands of jobs it supports.
I will be visiting a tour operator who has been affected by this backlog, to hear first-hand what difficulties they face in securing business without being able to guarantee transport services.
I will further continue to engage with the Provincial Departments of Transport and Public Works on their communication with the NPTR to ensure that this backlog is addressed ahead of the season.
The DA in the Western Cape will not stand idly by while an ANC-led National Government entity undermines what is supposed to be an outstanding tourism season with an inability to do the absolute bare minimum of what is expected of them.
Regards
Cayla Murray, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism
