South Africa Unveils New Scheme to Attract Indian and Chinese Tourists。
South Africa has announced a new initiative called the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to boost tourism from India and China. Set to start in January 2025, this program aims to streamline the visa process and create more jobs in the tourism sector, according to the Home Affairs Department.
The TTOS will address the barriers that have prevented South Africa from becoming a top destination for visitors from the world’s second and fifth largest economies. Currently, tourists from India make up only 3.9% of South Africa’s international visitors.
The Department of Home Affairs is working with the Department of Tourism, the Presidency, and Operation Vulindlela to tackle this issue. They plan to remove obstacles that have limited tourism from these key markets. This initiative builds on the success of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), which simplified visa processing for businesses seeking skilled workers. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has directed that a similar approach be used for tourists from countries like India and China, who are not visa-exempt.
Under the TTOS, approved tour operators from India and China will be invited to register with the Department. These operators will be responsible for their travelers, and the Department will handle group visa applications. This system will be a first for South Africa.
A dedicated team will manage visa applications under the TTOS, ensuring fast and reliable processing. The scheme is designed to cut through the red tape that has previously hindered South Africa’s tourism industry.
Minister Schreiber emphasized the economic benefits of the initiative, stating, “Research shows that a 10% increase in tourism annually can boost economic growth by 0.6% and create thousands of new jobs for South Africans.” He pointed out that many tourists from India and China travel in large groups, and the new visa system is tailored to this preference.
Schreiber also noted that the TTOS is just one step in Home Affairs’ broader efforts to enhance its role as an economic driver. “While TTOS is a significant step forward, it is just an interim measure. We are working towards a fully automated system that will deliver secure tourist visas digitally and instantly to visitors from around the world,” he said.
