Tourism industry alarmed over new S African visa policy

South Africa on Monday rolled out tough new visa regulations requiring children travelling into the country to carry unabridged birth certificates, a move that industry experts predict will badly damage the tourism sector.

The revised regulations dictate that children of all nationals and foreigners must be accompanied by unabridged birth certificates in addition to their passports when entering or leaving the country.

The new regulations apply only to children travelling with one parent and those arriving from visa-exempt countries.

Government says the measure is aimed at curbing international child trafficking.

But the tourism industry, which contributes nine percent to the country's GDP and employs around 1.5 million people, said the regulations were too cumbersome and would drive tourists away from South Africa.