ANC-Russia love affair could kill SA tourism
8 June 2023
The DA strongly condemns the ANC government's reckless and detrimental love affair with Russia, which is causing severe economic consequences for our country. The recent loss of South Africa's bid to host a Formula 1 race at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is a glaring example of the negative impact created by the ANC's partisan ties with Russia.
The cancellation of the planned South African Grand Prix is a direct result of the ANC government's irresponsible and illogical international geopolitical decisions. This event would have been a tremendous opportunity to showcase our nation's capabilities and attract global attention. However, due to our government's alignment with Russia, this opportunity has been squandered.
Hosting Formula 1 events has proven to be a significant tourism magnet, with host countries experiencing an average increase in tourism demand of 6%. For instance, Malaysia's F1 race in 2016 resulted in nearly 500,000 tourist arrivals and generated over R7 billion in additional revenue for the country. Similarly, the Circuit of the Americas in the United States has brought in over $7 billion in economic benefits and created more than 64,000 jobs annually.
The cancellation of the South African Grand Prix not only robs our country of potential economic gains but also denies us the chance to showcase our rich cultural heritage and world-class infrastructure. Other countries, such as Singapore and Mexico, have reaped tremendous benefits from hosting F1 races, with significant increases in hotel occupancy and tourist spending.