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Could accreditation and registration by an independent private sector tourism association be the answer to the ongoing delays in obtaining a tour operating licence from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR)?
Managing Director of Premier Coaches and Transfers, Fanie van Zyl, believes it is, suggesting that at least a tourism association – which already lobbies on behalf of the industry – would fully understand the challenges faced by operators.
The association should create a new division under which all tourism transport operators could be accredited under its umbrella, he said, noting that it would force all operators to become members of that association and thereby comply with the benchmarked standards.
By being accredited under a respected, well-recognised body, operators should not need to apply for accreditation again when they introduce new vehicles to their fleet, explained Van Zyl.
“If you’re already registered and accredited as a transport operator, it should be quick and easy to obtain new operating licences for new vehicles,” he commented.
Van Zyl further suggested that all tourism transport vehicles should carry a distinctive charter and tour operator number plate to differentiate them from other public transport operators such as minibus taxis.
Other coach operators – Mega Coach and ElJoSa Travel & Tours – also expressed their frustration with the countless delays and lack of communication from NPTR at last week’s Western Cape Tour Operators Crisis Meeting.
At the meeting it was highlighted that operator licence applications took exceptionally long to be processed or were often ‘misplaced or lost’ and companies then had to re-submit the applications.
Furthermore, operators pointed out that law enforcement officers were generally not aware of the challenges around the NPTR, which unfortunately resulted in actions that damaged the reputation of tourism – including tourists being taken off tour vehicles mid-tour and vehicles being impounded.
Tourism Update has undertaken to share the human side of this crisis by encouraging operators and guides to share how NPTR delays have affected them personally.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za
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