South Africa’s New Visa Push for Indian and Chinese Tourists Has a Tour Operator Twist

09.09.2024 - 17:14 / skift.com / Peden Doma Bhutia

South Africa has its sights set on two of the world’s fastest-growing tourist markets — India and China. In a strategic bid to attract more visitors from these nations, the country is easing travel restrictions, including a proposed 90-day visa waiver. The tourism ministry says it recognizes the untapped potential of Indian and Chinese tourists.

South Africa’s new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) is the latest in a series of reforms to make the country a more accessible and attractive destination for tourists from the economic powerhouses of India and China.

For years, restrictive visa processes have been a significant obstacle to South Africa’s tourism ambitions. Chinese visitors, for instance, made over 100 million outbound trips in 2023, but South Africa only managed to capture a fraction of this market — just 93,000. Indian tourists, although more frequent, account for just 4% of all international arrivals to South Africa, while Chinese tourists represent only 1.8%.

Leon Schreiber, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, acknowledged these barriers in a recent statement: “Traveling in large groups is the preferred option for many tourists from countries like China and India. Our visa system must adapt to reflect and capitalize on this reality.”

South Africa has also been increasing its focus on smaller cities in India. “We see a massive opportunity in India’s tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These territories hold ample promise — a new generation of eager travelers seeking unique experiences,” said Neliswa Nkani, hub head of Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia hub at South Africa Tourism.

The platform follows the success of South Africa’s Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), launched earlier this year to simplify work visa applications for businesses. The TTOS will similarly allow registered operators to facilitate smoother entry for their clients, expediting the processing of tourist visas.

The initiative allows vetted tour operators from India and China to submit group visa applications on behalf of tourists. The department will process these via a dedicated team, removing red tape that previously bogged down the system.

“With an initial focus on the burgeoning tourist markets of China and India, the scheme will remove some of the key obstacles preventing South Africa from becoming a favored destination for the second and fifth largest economies in the world,” the home affairs department said in a statement.

South Africa’s focus on visa reforms isn’t just about boosting visitor numbers — it’s about strengthening the country’s economy. According to Schreiber, a 10% annual increase in tourism could drive up South Africa’s economic growth by 0.6% and create thousands of jobs.

The South African government is