Beijing - South Africa wooed Chinese tourists on Monday, saying they will not be barred from the country or subject to screening despite the spread of the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, virus.
The welcome message came as Chinese found themselves shunned by countries such as Malaysia, which refuses Chinese visitors visas, and Thailand, which requires all tourists from SARS-affected countries to wear face masks.
"China is a wonderful opportunity and a growth market," Phillip Bekker, head of flagship carrier South African Airways' North Asia business, told a news conference.
Bekker set a cheerful tone despite the airline having to cut its weekly flights to Hong Kong to four from five due to SARS.
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| 'China is a wonderful opportunity and a growth market' |
The airline planned no special screening for passengers boarding in China, but would be examining pilots and crew members for symptoms, said Mangoba Nyembezi, China manager for South African Tourism.
Face masks would be provided on demand and pamphlets on symptoms of SARS and where to seek health care in South Africa would be made available, he said.
The SARS virus surfaced in southern China in November and has since been spread around the world by air travellers. South Africa has already reported one probable case in a man who had returned from Hong Kong. In China, more than 60 people have died and over 1 400 have been infected.
Worldwide, it has killed 144 people and infected more than 3 300 others.
Bekker expected to see a rebound in Chinese tourist arrivals in two months. Despite SARS fears, South Africa expected tourist arrivals from China to double from 35 000 people last year to 70 000 by the end of 2004, he said.
| Once banned from travelling abroad, Chinese can now visit 34 designated countries |
The virus has taken a toll on airlines. Cathay Pacific Airways, Asia's fourth-largest carrier, said it may ground its entire passenger fleet next month if the virus continues to scare off travellers.
Once banned from travelling abroad, Chinese can now visit 34 designated countries, such as Thailand, Egypt and Germany. South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives became the latest destinations for Chinese travellers earlier this month.
Governments around the world spent millions of dollars luring wealthy Chinese but the SARS epidemic has prompted many to scrap promotion campaigns or put them on hold.
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