By TripFactory Holidays
South Africa plans to ease visa requirements for travelers from India and China, aiming to attract more tourists from these populous BRICS nations.
Starting January, a system called the “Trusted Tour Operators” will be introduced, where screened tour operators will manage travelers from India and China to simplify the visa process.
The Trusted Tour Operators program is intended to be a temporary solution, with plans to eventually implement an electronic travel authorization system.
Tourists from Western countries, such as the US and the UK, do not need a visa for short visits to South Africa, making it easier for them to travel.
The visa changes are part of broader reforms to South Africa’s immigration laws, including efforts to simplify work permit regulations.
South Africa’s tourism sector is seen as a key strength, but the country has lagged behind in attracting tourists from major markets like India and China.
Other nations, such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, have seen success in attracting Indian tourists by simplifying their visa processes.
In the previous year, South Africa welcomed about 80,000 visitors from India and 37,000 from China, compared to around 350,000 from the US and the UK.
The South African government views the relaxation of visa rules as an opportunity to boost the economy by increasing tourism from key source markets.
Apart from tourism, the broader immigration reforms are also aimed at addressing South Africa’s skills gap by streamlining work permit processing.