South Africa is opening its doors wider to travelers from China and India by simplifying its visa process. Starting in mid-February, selected tour operators will be able to submit group visa applications on behalf of tourists from these two countries, aiming to boost tourism and stimulate the economy.
Yusuf Simons, the Western Cape provincial manager at the Department of Home Affairs, announced that 65 tour operators from South Africa, China, and India have been chosen for the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). This pilot program is designed to make visa applications smoother for group travelers, catering to the preference of many Chinese and Indian tourists who often travel in groups.
“The TTOS was created to attract more tourists from China and India,” Simons explained. “Together, they represent a significant portion of the world’s population. We’re making efforts to position South Africa as a preferred destination for these markets. The selected tour operators will start submitting applications from the middle of February.”
The initiative is expected to increase tourist arrivals from China and India, which currently account for only 1.8% and 3.9% of international visitors to South Africa, respectively. By streamlining the visa process, the country hopes to enhance its tourism sector, boost the economy, and create more job opportunities.
“Research shows that for every two tourists visiting South Africa, one job is created,” Simons noted. “If we can increase the number of visitors from these countries, the impact on employment will be significant.”
The new system will drastically reduce the waiting time for visa approvals, cutting it down to two or three days instead of the usual three weeks. Simplifying the online application requirements is also part of the effort to make the process more accessible, especially considering language barriers that applicants might face.
Simons mentioned that there’s already a keen interest from Chinese and Indian tourists to visit South Africa. By addressing the challenges they’ve encountered in the past, the TTOS aims to enhance their travel experience from the very beginning.
As the pilot phase progresses, the Department of Home Affairs anticipates adding more tour operators to the scheme, further expanding the program’s reach and effectiveness.
