S African gov't, tourism voice concerns over xenophobia

JOHANNESBURG, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The South African government and the tourism industry have voiced concerns over the impact the current wave of xenophobic violence in Gauteng, the country's richest province, could have on tourism.

"We are quite concerned about the effects of the attacks on tourism," Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told reporters in Cape Town on Tuesday, saying that "they have the potential to impact negatively on the African market."

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) said:" Our credibility as a safe destination is at stake." The violence, which began in Alexandra outside Johannesburg last week, has spread to several informal settlements on the perimeter of Johannesburg.

The attacks have so far claimed 22 lives and left up to 10,000people seeking refuge in shelters.

SATSA Chief Executive Michael Tatalias said tourism was a major contributor to the economy.

"Our industry is already in a difficult trading environment, battling the effects of high fuel prices ... (and) the negative global effects of the credit crunch on international travelers," he said in a statement.

"While the roots of this civil unrest are complex, it is unacceptable to decent South Africans that people are persecuted in our country in 2008 because of their race or nationality," he added.