South Africa’s hospitality and tourism industry faces a myriad of challenges.  But there is one battle we should never have to fight: having to persuade the authorities to obey South Africa’s own water laws.

Yet increasingly, that is exactly what communities and businesses are forced to do.

The National Water Act is clear. Section 19 places a duty on those responsible for pollution to take reasonable measures to prevent it from occurring, continuing or recurring.  Section 151 goes further: it is a criminal offence to unlawfully and intentionally or negligently, through an act or omission, pollute or be likely to pollute a water resource.

That word omission is important.  Allowing known sewage infrastructure failures to continue polluting our rivers cannot simply become accepted as another municipal service-delivery problem.  It is simply a criminal offence.

We are told to save water.  Government must do the same.

South Africans are continually reminded that we live in a water-scarce country.  We are urged to conserve every precious drop.  Money is spent on campaigns telling citizens to save water, while reported municipal leaks can continue for weeks, months and sometimes years. 

At the same time, failing sewerage infrastructure is allowed to discharge raw sewage into the very rivers and dams containing the water we are being told to protect.

You cannot ask citizens to save water with one hand while allowing it to be wasted and polluted with the other. 

For South Africa’s inland waterfront tourism industry, the pollution consequences are particularly serious.  Our rivers and dams should be enormous secondary economic assets.  Waterfront hotels, restaurants, resorts, lodges, boat building and boat sales, and recreational facilities have the potential to create thousands more jobs and attract substantial private investment.

When raw sewage enters a dam or river, environmental damage quickly becomes economic damage. Tourism suffers.  Investment is discouraged.  Existing jobs are threatened and potential new jobs are never created.

And the damage compounds.

Sewage carries high nutrient loads, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.  This nutrient enrichment accelerates eutrophication and creates conditions in which invasive aquatic plants such as water hyacinth and water lettuce can proliferate rapidly.  So the consequences of failing sanitation infrastructure do not end when sewage enters the water.  The resulting nutrient pollution can turn already compromised waterways into masses of invasive vegetation –  degrading ecosystems, further restricting boating and recreation, and making waterfront tourism businesses even more difficult to operate viably.

And then comes another, deeply painful blow: the social-media attacks telling people to stay away and comments like “go there if you like driving your boat in human waste – go for it” and other damaging comments.  For operators already fighting every day to survive on a waterway contaminated through no fault of their own, those words hurt and cause damage – and they cost jobs.

What is often unseen behind those headlines is the extraordinary passion of these river and dam communities.  Locals, businesses and NGOs give countless hours and their own money to report spills, fight invasive plants, engage authorities and pursue legal action.

These river and dam communities choose to be part of the solution – criticism does not clean the water.  They are fighting for waterways they love, businesses they have built and, most importantly, the livelihoods of the people they employ.  So please, support those trying to hold on and make a difference.  If you are angry – and you should be – direct that anger at the authorities allowing sewage to enter our waterways, not at the tourism businesses fighting to survive despite it.  Right now, these dam and river communities need support – far more than they need damaging and very hurtful social media comments.

Instead of expanding, employing more people and contributing to economic growth, waterfront operators are spending extraordinary amounts of time trying to protect the natural resource upon which their businesses depend.  In a country desperate for economic growth and employment, this makes no sense.

Why must NGOs make government obey government’s laws?

Perhaps the greatest irony is that when repeated engagement fails, citizens increasingly have to turn to NGOs and NPOs for help to compel public authorities to do what legislation already requires them to do.

Citizens are effectively having to seek protection from pollution by asking the courts to make organs of state comply with laws created by the state itself.

That should concern every South African.

We do not need more legislation. We already have legislation. We need implementation.

Failed sewer pump stations, leaking pipelines and overloaded wastewater treatment works require competent technical management, preventative maintenance and rapid intervention.

But when authorities know infrastructure is failing and pollution continues unabated, an engineering problem becomes a governance and accountability problem.  South Africans understand that ageing infrastructure cannot be rebuilt overnight. What we cannot accept is chronic sewage pollution and water wastage becoming normalised.

Government does not need another campaign telling South Africans that water is precious.

We know it is.

Now demonstrate that you know it too.

Fix the infrastructure.  Stop the pollution.  Enforce the law – regardless of whether the polluter is a private company, an individual or an organ of state.

Protect our waterways. Protect our tourism industry. Protect the jobs they create.

South Africans should not need NGOs and courts to force authorities to obey their own laws.

Authorities, please walk the talk.

As ASATA celebrates its 70th anniversary, they’re opening their archives and inviting us to revisit the milestones that modernised the industry – and changed how South Africans travel. 

1. 1956: Travel agencies become part of the journey

In 1956, ASATA was established as the first formal body to represent South African travel agents and elected Jim Finlay as its first chairman. At the time, travel agencies were essential to planning a trip, handling everything from tickets and passports to visas and even foreign currency. There was no such thing as booking it all yourself.

2. 1959–1971: The world gets easier to reach

The arrival of the first American Express plastic charge card in 1959 transformed international travel. Instead of carrying cash or travellers cheques, travellers could pay for flights, accommodation and everyday expenses with a single card. The arrival of the Boeing 747 in 1970 made long-haul travel more accessible than ever before, and in 1971, SAA rounded things off with SAAFARI, its very own automated reservations system – basically the ancestor of every booking app on your smartphone today.

3. 1972: A genuine world-first

In 1972, just one year after Japan pioneered IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), South Africa became the second country in the world to adopt it. The same year, ASATA elected its first president, John Bing, and successfully negotiated an increase in domestic airline commission from 5% to 7%.

*BSP is the standardised system that keeps ticket sales, reporting and payments between agents and airlines from descending into chaos.

4. 1978–1985: Regulation, insurance and the ticketing shake-up

Between the late 1970s and early 1980s, ASATA really rolled up its sleeves. The association helped draft the bill that became the Travel Agent and Travel Agencies Act (1983) and teamed up with SAA to introduce automatic ticket printing. It also negotiated an exclusive traveller insurance (Travelsure) and secured a 15-day BSP settlement period, modernising how travel agencies operated behind the scenes.

5. 1992–1994: Ethics and deregulation

During this timeframe, ASATA introduced its first Code of Conduct, reinforcing ethical standards across the industry. Just two years later, the Tourism Bill repealed the Travel Agent and Travel Agencies Act, ushering in a new era of competition and deregulation.

6. 1993–1998: A changing landscape

The repeal of marital power meant married women could finally open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, sign contracts and pay for travel independently without their husband’s consent. In 1998, ASATA elected its first Black president, Kananelo Makhetha, reflecting the transformation of both the association and South Africa itself.

7. 2001: Flying would never feel the same again

Before 9/11, passengers could arrive at the airport shortly before departure and loved ones could accompany them to the boarding gate. Then everything changed. Security tightened everywhere, and “arrive three hours early” became gospel.

8. The 2000s: Reinvention begins

During this time, smartphones, social media and online booking platforms completely transformed how people researched, booked and shared their travels. In 2005, ASATA elected its first woman president, Amanda Harrod, and as airline commissions shrank, professional service fees models filled the gap.

In 2010, the FIFA World Cup showcased South Africa to billions of people across the globe as a world-class tourism destination, proving that this country knows how to host a good party.

Throughout the 2010s, ASATA engaged government on unabridged birth certificates for minors, worked with National Treasury on cost containment measures, secured legal guardrails for pricing transparency, and helped determine the VAT treatment of international tickets through a favourable Constitutional Court outcome in 2020.

9. 2020: When travel stopped

COVID-19 became the greatest crisis the travel industry had ever faced. Borders closed, airlines grounded fleets and refunds became a lifeline for travellers. ASATA worked tirelessly to support members through SAA’s business rescue (2019-2022) and advocate for border reopening.

10. 2023 and beyond: Buckle up for the next chapter

Today, AI, digital borders and new traveller expectations are reshaping travel once again. Yet one thing has remained remarkably consistent: When flights are cancelled, visas become complicated or plans fall apart, people still turn to trusted travel professionals for guidance.

“That belief has guided ASATA since 1956,” says ASATA CEO, Otto de Vries. “Seventy years later, it remains at the heart of South African travel. In all that time, credible expertise never went out of fashion, and I suspect it never will.”

The workshop was convened by the SADC Secretariat and brought together senior personnel from the five partner states, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, alongside representatives from South Africa in its current capacity as SADC chair.

On the second day, the Southern Africa Tourism Alliance (SATA) delivered its Tourism-Focused Customer Service Training for Border Officials. SATA piloted the course through a train-the-trainer programme in 2024, building a facilitator curriculum, delegate manuals, and role-plays drawn from real border scenarios.

The training was delivered in support of the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030, which aims to build a sustainable regional tourism industry and reduce the non-tariff barriers that slow travel between member states. Victoria Falls holds a key position as a gateway to the Kavango Zambezi tourism circuits, where many itineraries cross several national borders. The training recognised that effective border management balances security with empathy, enabling stakeholders to respond professionally to the diverse needs and expectations of travellers.

“Every visitor’s experience begins with the people they encounter on arrival,” said Natalia Rosa, SATA tourism project lead, who facilitated the workshop in Victoria Falls. “For many, the border provides both the first and last impression of a destination, making these stakeholders the gatekeepers of our regional reputation.”

While border officials are primarily recognised for safeguarding national borders, the programme recognised their equally important role in representing the region to visitors. Sessions covered verbal, non-verbal and cross-cultural communication, alongside practical conflict de-escalation techniques for those working in pressured situations. Throughout the training, participants explored how customer service strengthens effective border management without compromising security.

The training also highlighted the wider role tourism plays in supporting the SADC region’s economies. Every visitor who crosses the border supports a network of accommodation providers, restaurants, guides, transport operators and attractions. Participants were encouraged to recognise that the welcome visitors receive at the border can influence whether they return, recommend the destination or choose to explore more of the region in future.

“One of the programme’s greatest strengths was bringing together the people who lead border operations across the region,” Rosa said. “By building a shared understanding of the dual role border stakeholders play as custodians of national security and ambassadors for the region, participants can reinforce that approach within their own teams. That consistency benefits travellers, supports effective border management and strengthens regional tourism.”

SATSA, the voice of inbound tourism in Southern Africa, has unveiled the full programme for its flagship annual conference, bringing together an exceptional line-up of business leaders, destination specialists, conservation pioneers, hospitality executives and tourism innovators to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of tourism in the region.

Taking place from 19–21 August 2026 at Southern Sun Cape Sun, the conference will provide a platform for industry collaboration, strategic discussion and practical insight at a time when tourism businesses are navigating changing global markets, technological advances, conservation priorities and evolving traveller expectations.

Among those taking to the stage are some of South Africa’s most respected business, destination and tourism leaders, including Marcel von Aulock, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Sun; Adrian Enthoven, Executive Chairman of Yellowwoods and Family Owner of Spier Wine Farm; Graham Wood, Chief Executive Officer of the V&A Waterfront; Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town; Enver Duminy, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Town Tourism; and Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director General: Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government.

Joining them are respected leaders from organisations including SANParks, Rhino Africa, Africa’s Eden, Wesgro, Dream Hotels & Resorts, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, Nielsen Sports, Londolozi, Wild Wings Safaris, Isibindi Africa Lodges and Motsamayi Tourism Group, reflecting the breadth of expertise represented across the programme.

The programme explores some of the defining issues shaping tourism today, including:

• SANParks at 100: Legacy, Growth and the Road Ahead
• The South African Business Landscape: Navigating Change and Creating Opportunity
• The V&A Waterfront: Reinvention, Relevance and the Road Ahead
• Panorama Reimagined & Wild Eastern Cape: Destination Reinvention and Regional Competitiveness
• The Collaboration Advantage: How Government and Industry Are Building a Common Roadmap for Tourism Growth
• Beyond the Middle East Horizon: New Markets, New Routes and the Courage to Grow
• Reimagining Tourism, Together: Building a More Competitive, Connected and Inclusive Southern Africa

According to SATSA CEO David Frost, the conference has been designed to bring together the ideas, people and partnerships that will help shape the future of tourism.

“Tourism has always been one of South Africa’s greatest strengths, but the environment in which we operate is changing rapidly. Success will increasingly depend on our ability to collaborate, adapt and embrace new ways of thinking. SATSA Conference 2026 brings together the people, ideas and partnerships that will help shape tourism’s next chapter. More than a conference, it is where our industry comes together to challenge thinking, build relationships and create momentum for the future.”

SATSA Chairperson Oupa Pilane said the programme reflects both the diversity and strength of Southern Africa’s tourism sector.

“This year’s programme has been carefully curated to bring together some of the most influential voices from across business, conservation, government and tourism. By creating space for meaningful dialogue and practical insight, we hope delegates leave not only inspired, but equipped with new ideas, stronger partnerships and renewed confidence in the future of our industry.”

The full conference programme and registration details are available here.

About SATSA

SATSA is the voice of inbound tourism in Southern Africa, representing over 1,200 quality assured members across the tourism value chain. As a trusted mark of credibility, SATSA-member businesses are vetted annually with stringent financial checks and adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, ensuring high ethical and operational standards. SATSA continually works to promote responsible tourism and protect travellers from fraudulent activity within the industry. https://www.satsa.com/

Media Contact

Kim Taylor | Strategic Communications and Marketing Manager, SATSA

kim@satsa.co.za

Now in their third year, the awards recognise outstanding organisations and individuals driving positive environmental, social and economic impact across Africa’s tourism sector and received more than 100 entries across ten categories.

Each winner received a trophy handcrafted by the FlipFlopi Project – an East African movement dedicated to ending single-use plastic pollution through community-led circular economies. Makers of the world’s first recycled plastic sailing dhow, the FlipFlopi Project embodies the values these awards exist to celebrate. The trophies were revealed for the first time on the night.

2026 ATTA® for Action Awards Winners

• ATTA® Purpose & People Award — TAMàNA (Madagascar)
• ATTA® Earthkeepers Award — Gamewatchers Safaris (Kenya)
• ATTA® Eco-Innovation Award — Porini Safari Camps, Gamewatchers Safaris (Kenya)
• ATTA® Zero Waste Trailblazer Award — Sirikoi Lodge (Kenya)
• ATTA® Community Upliftment Award — Nomad Tanzania (Tanzania)
• ATTA® Marine Impact Award — andBeyond (South Africa)
• ATTA® Collaborative Impact Award — The Safari Collection (Kenya)
• ATTA® Traveller Education and Awareness Award — Blood Lions and Marine Dynamics (South Africa) (joint winners)
• ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award — Marco Barneveld, Wide Oyster Media (Netherlands)
• ATTA® Emerging Changemaker Award — Travel4Purpose (Kenya)

Each award category was assessed against rigorous criteria designed to identify organisations delivering measurable impact. From ethical wildlife experiences and marine conservation initiatives to community empowerment programmes, circular economy innovations and traveller education campaigns, the awards recognise leadership that goes beyond aspiration and demonstrates tangible outcomes.

The joint award in the Traveller Education and Awareness category – shared by Blood Lions and Marine Dynamics – was a direct reflection of the quality of entries. The judges recognised the two organisations as excelling in distinct but equally vital dimensions of the same challenge: one for advocacy and policy change, the other for direct traveller engagement and measurable conservation outcomes.

This year also marks the first time in the awards’ history that a single organisation has won across two categories in the same year. Gamewatchers Safaris and their Porini Safari Camps claimed both the Earthkeepers and Eco-Innovation Awards – a result that speaks to the depth and consistency of a conservation model nearly three decades in the making. In 2024, the inaugural year of the awards, they were recognised for their collaborative approach. TAMàNA, meanwhile, returns as a multi-year winner, claiming the Eco-Innovation Award in 2025 and, this year, recognised for heritage tourism leadership in an entirely different category. Marine Dynamics similarly becomes a two-time winner across the awards’ history, previously recognised for marine conservation and this year for traveller education – a testament to the breadth of their work.

Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA®, said: “The ATTA® for Action Awards exist to celebrate the organisations and individuals proving that tourism can be one of Africa’s most powerful forces for positive change. Across the continent, we continue to see extraordinary leadership in conservation, community empowerment, cultural preservation and environmental innovation. In many ways, African tourism businesses have been pioneering responsible tourism practices for decades, often developing solutions that the wider global industry is only now beginning to embrace.

“As an association, we will continue to champion evidence-based responsible tourism, showcase innovation from across Africa, and provide our members with the knowledge, tools and inspiration they need to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. The future of African tourism depends on protecting the very people, places and wildlife that make the continent so extraordinary, and these winners are showing what that future can look like.”

The ATTA® for Action Awards form part of ATTA®’s broader commitment to advancing responsible tourism across Africa and supporting members in creating measurable, positive impact for people, places and the planet.

For a full list of winners and finalists, visit: https://awards.atta.travel/winners-finalists-2026/

FEDHASA says the Department’s acknowledgement that substantial amendments are required – together with the decision to place current Resource Management Plans (RMPs) on hold pending further review – is an important and constructive development for the hospitality, tourism and broader business sectors.

FEDHASA National Chairperson, Brett Tungay, said:

“The hospitality and tourism industry welcomes the Department’s willingness to listen to the extensive concerns raised by stakeholders across the country. This is a positive and encouraging indication that meaningful public participation is being taken seriously.

The initial Draft Regulations and associated Resource Management Plans created widespread concern due to their potential impact on tourism, hospitality, recreational access, investment certainty, and water-based economic activity around many of South Africa’s dams and waterways.”

Anderson added that the industry remains deeply concerned about the broader economic implications of over-regulation within an already constrained tourism economy.

“Tourism and hospitality are key job creators in South Africa. At a time when many businesses are still recovering from the devastating impact of COVID-19 restrictions, combined with increasing operational costs and deteriorating municipal infrastructure, it is critical that future regulations support economic growth, investment certainty and sustainable tourism development – rather than unintentionally undermining it.”

FEDHASA Board Member – Rosemary Anderson, said the Department’s acknowledgement of concerns regarding general access, tourism activity and lease-related matters was particularly important.

“One of the major concerns raised by stakeholders was the potential impact that aspects of the proposed regulations and lease policy could have had on investment confidence in tourism and hospitality businesses situated around dams and inland waterways.

Tourism developments, marinas, boat-based tourism operations, lodges, restaurants and waterfront hospitality businesses require long-term investment horizons and certainty of access in order to justify substantial capital investment and job creation.

We are therefore encouraged that DWS has recognised the need for further engagement and review.”

Tunday added that the decision to revisit the role and scope of Resource Management Plans (RMPs) was also significant.

“The industry strongly supports responsible environmental management, safety and protection of water resources. However, regulations must be practical, constitutionally sound, economically rational and aligned with existing legislation and operational realities.

There now exists an important opportunity for collaborative engagement between government, tourism operators, environmental stakeholders, water users and affected communities to develop a workable framework that protects South Africa’s water resources while also supporting tourism, recreation, investment and job creation.”

FEDHASA further welcomed the Department’s commitment to additional stakeholder consultation and indicated that the organisation would continue participating constructively in the process.

“South Africa’s dams, rivers and waterways are not only strategic water assets – they are also important tourism, recreation and economic assets that support many thousands of livelihoods,” Anderson concluded.

“We believe it is possible to achieve both responsible environmental custodianship and sustainable economic development through balanced, practical and properly consultative regulation.”

Conducted between 20 and 28 April 2026, the survey captured responses from travel agencies across South Africa, providing a detailed snapshot of conditions on the ground during one of the most operationally complex periods the industry has faced since COVID-19.

As global flight schedules fluctuate and capacity tightens, the cost of travel has risen sharply, driven by rising oil prices, limited availability and the need to reroute away from affected airspace. A combined 75% of travel agencies report their clients are facing price increases of between 10% and 50%.

Despite this financial pressure, outright cancellations remain low at just 10%. Instead, travellers are choosing to absorb the costs, reroute, or postpone their journeys.

To navigate this chaos and mitigate financial risk, travellers are abandoning DIY online bookings and leaning heavily on professional travel advisors. With 57% of clients worried about losing money on non-refundable bookings, the demand for flexibility has surged. Travellers are relying on the expertise of travel advisors to decode complex airline policies, secure highly flexible tickets, and ensure their investments are protected when schedules change.

“Booking behaviour has shifted significantly in response to the current uncertainty,” says Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA. “We are seeing 36% of clients delaying their bookings until the very last minute to avoid sudden disruptions, while another 29% are booking much further in advance to secure scarce inventory. But what stands out most is that travellers no longer want to navigate this alone. They want a professional in their corner who can guarantee flexibility and provide a safety net.”

Key survey findings reveal a shift in consumer priorities:

• Cautious Optimism: 55% of travel advisors describe their clients as ‘cautiously optimistic’, with the majority still intending to travel for the upcoming holiday seasons.
• June/July Holiday Outlook: While 42% of agencies report that their clients still intend to travel this mid-year break, actual booking volumes are currently taking a hit. A third of agencies (33%) are seeing year-on-year booking declines, largely because 22% of clients are adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach before committing financially.
• Top Traveller Concerns: Clients are primarily worried about flight delays (79%), increased costs (77%), and losing money on non-refundable bookings (57%).
• Demand for Flexibility: Driven by these fears, 20% of clients are now actively demanding highly flexible fares or ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ insurance policies, regardless of the premium.

Recognising their critical role in this climate, 70% of South African travel agencies have updated or are actively reviewing their crisis communication and duty of care procedures to better protect their clients.

“No app or online booking platform can call an airline at midnight, fight for a refund, or redesign an itinerary in real time,” says De Vries. “Our members have been doing exactly that for weeks. This crisis has made one thing abundantly clear: in an uncertain world, the expertise and human judgement of a professional travel advisor is irreplaceable. With 57% worried about losing money on non-refundable bookings and prices up by as much as 50%, the stakes are too high to go it alone.” 

The strategic expansion significantly strengthens WTAAA’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region at a time when the role of the travel professional has become increasingly global and strategic, making shared knowledge and collective advocacy more critical than ever.

Adding distinct strengths to this global mission, MATTA represents over 2,900 Malaysian member organisations and offers proven experience in public-private collaboration, including direct engagement with Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). MATTA’s Vice President (Air Transportation), Dr. Fazil Khan, will serve as the primary liaison to WTAAA.

Concurrently, ITA represents more than 80% of Thailand’s air ticket sales volume. Guiding a market that sends 10 million passengers internationally each year, ITA brings instrumental commercial experience to help travel professionals navigate rapid post-pandemic shifts in consumer behaviour, technology, and payment innovation.

“The inclusion of MATTA and ITA comes at a critical moment for the global travel agency community,” said Otto de Vries, Executive Director of WTAAA. “As the role of the travel professional becomes more complex and strategic, the need for a unified global voice has never been stronger. These associations bring deep regional knowledge, strong government relationships, and commercial agility that will significantly enhance our ability to advocate for our members on the world stage.”

As part of this integration, WTAAA welcomes Mr. Kit Sananwathananont and Mr. Chutiwut Suwanichkule to the WTAAA Board of Directors, where they will help guide the alliance’s strategic direction. Ms. Sasikan Tepyou will serve as the primary contact person for ITA, facilitating seamless collaboration between the Thai market and the global community.

“Through these new partnerships, WTAAA continues to strengthen the collective voice of travel professionals worldwide, ensuring the industry evolves together,” concluded de Vries.

The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) is alerting the global travel agency community to a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the unauthorised use of agency IATA accreditation numbers to obtain airline NDC access and issue fraudulent tickets.

Confirmed incidents have been reported across multiple markets globally, with cases identified in several regions, including in North and South America, and attempted activity noted elsewhere. WTAAA is issuing this advisory to ensure that travel agencies worldwide are aware of the threat and are taking appropriate precautionary steps.

In the incidents reported, fraudsters have used spoofed or look-alike email domains designed to closely resemble those of legitimate travel agencies, to request NDC onboarding or airline agent portal access. By presenting a valid IATA accreditation number alongside a convincing but fraudulent identity, they have in some cases been granted ticketing authority without the knowledge or consent of the agency whose credentials were used.

Once access is established, tickets are issued at volume using stolen credit cards. The legitimate agency typically only becomes aware of the fraud when chargeback notifications arrive, by which point significant financial damage has already occurred. In one confirmed case, with more than USD $350,000 equivalent in fraudulent ticket issuance was recorded.

There is currently no evidence of a breach of any GDS system. The vulnerability appears to relate to onboarding and verification processes that rely primarily on IATA number validation alone.

A call to action for the global agency community

Otto de Vries, Executive Director of WTAAA, commented:

“This is a timely reminder that as our industry embraces new distribution technology, our security practices need to keep pace. The agencies affected in these cases did nothing wrong; their credentials were used without their knowledge. We are urging all agencies to take a few straightforward steps to protect themselves, and we are calling on airline and technology partners to strengthen their verification processes at the point of NDC onboarding.”

WTAAA is asking all travel agencies to take the following precautionary steps immediately:

• Review active NDC registrations. Check all airline portal connections and NDC agreements currently associated with your agency. If anything is unfamiliar, investigate and report it without delay.
• Monitor BSP and ARC activity regularly. Do not wait for the billing cycle. Check for unfamiliar ticket issuance, particularly on carriers or through distribution channels you do not typically use.
• Be alert to domain spoofing. Monitor for email domains that closely resemble your own and alert partners if you identify fraudulent use of your agency name or contact details.
• Report suspicious activity promptly. Notify the relevant airline and GDS security teams, report to IATA, and inform your national travel agency association so that broader awareness can be maintained.

Industry coordination

WTAAA is coordinating with member associations across multiple regions and will continue to share information as the situation develops. We are calling on airline and distribution partners to review their NDC onboarding and verification processes as a matter of urgency; IATA number validation alone is not a sufficient safeguard, and stronger identity verification needs to be part of how access is granted going forward.

“WTAAA exists to give travel agents a unified global voice, and that is exactly what we intend to use here. We will be working with our partners across the industry to ensure that the right safeguards are put in place, not just for the agencies affected today, but for every agency operating in an increasingly digital distribution environment,” de Vries added.

Member associations that have identified similar activity in their markets are encouraged to contact WTAAA directly so that a clearer picture of the global scope of this issue can be established.

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.