South Africa’s government has launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to boost tourism from India and China. In 2023, over 100 million Chinese tourists travelled abroad, yet only 93,000 visited South Africa. Similarly, Indian tourists represented just 3.9% of South Africa’s international arrivals. The Department of Home Affairs stated that a 10% increase in tourism could drive economic growth by 0.6% and create thousands of jobs. The TTOS seeks to streamline the visa application process by offering faster processing for approved tour operators and addressing challenges like lengthy visa procedures and language barriers. A dedicated team will manage TTOS applications, while a points-based evaluation system will assess operators based on criteria such as legal compliance and operational experience.
South Africa aims to raise the number of Indian visitors from 16,000 to 100,000 by the end of 2024. Additionally, a 90-day visa waiver is under consideration for Indian and Chinese tourists, which could simplify travel. Indian tourists need to apply for a short-term South African Tourist Visa, with processing taking five to seven working days. The visa fee for Indians is gratis, but there is an application and logistics fee of US$ 27.28 – 35.58 (Rs. 2,300 to Rs. 3,000) Upon arrival, tourists must present a valid visa, return flight ticket, accommodation proof, and evidence of sufficient funds.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
