Getting visa quickly has always been a major issue for many Indians wishing to travel abroad including South Africa. But all that will change soon as South Africa is set to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), enabling individuals to apply directly for their visas and streamlining the process. Additionally, the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), scheduled to launch in January 2025, will simplify group visa applications and expedite processing times. As per South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille it may be possible to obtain a visa within a couple of days. Currently, Indian tourists represent only 3.9% of total arrivals, with a goal to increase this figure to 10% by next year. Though, the possibility of visa on arrival and on gratis is still a distant future.

Minister Patricia de Lille is leading a South African delegation on a mission to directly engage Indian tourism trade, tour operators and associations, business leaders, government and media to work in closer collaboration to grow arrivals between South Africa and India. This visit is also a forward-looking gesture as South Africa officially took over the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024 and are looking forward to welcome delegates to the G20 meetings in 2025.

Addressing the media Minister Patricia de Lille emphasized promising discussions with top Indian airlines regarding a potential code-sharing partnership aimed at strengthening ties between India and South Africa. Additionally, South Africa is gearing up to host the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in 2027, leveraging the tournament to attract cricket enthusiasts and capitalize on the rising demand for experience-driven travel. 

“India and South Africa’s relationship has deep roots in history, and this visit provides an opportunity to deepen our collaboration across critical sectors. This visit is also an opportunity to collaborate with India’s travel trade partners, ensuring seamless and enriching travellers journeys while fostering meaningful cultural and economic exchanges. Indian travellers bring immense vibrancy to our tourism ecosystem, and we look forward to welcoming them to explore the soul of South Africa while creating lasting memories. Additionally, initiatives such as the “More & More” brand campaign, multi-city roadshows, Corporate Think Tank, and Learn SA reflect South African Tourism’s commitment to creatively showcasing the Rainbow Nation to Indian travellers. These efforts aim to improve accessibility while exploring opportunities for direct flight routes, fostering stronger tourism and trade ties between South Africa and India,” said Minister Patricia de Lille.

While India has emerged as the 7th largest overseas international market for South Africa, the MICE segment remains a key focus area, representing 19.1% of Indian travellers within the broader 49.7% MICE and business travel category.

“By showcasing our country’s unmatched natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, we hope to inspire Indian travellers to explore the diverse experiences South Africa has to offer. We are committed to positioning South Africa as a top destination for Indian travellers, offering not only unforgettable leisure experiences but also avenues for adventure, wildlife exploration, and luxury tourism. South Africa witnessed a significant influx of tourists from India, with a total of 57,992 arrivals recorded from January to October 2024,”said Nombulelo Guliwe, CEO, South African Tourism 

During her week-long visit to India, Minister de Lille will engage with delegates to strengthen bilateral cooperation across five key sectors: Infrastructure, Energy and Mining; Pharma and Medicine; ICT/Digital and Education; Tourism, Arts, and Sport; and Agriculture and Agro-processing.