As South Africa and India celebrate 30 years of strong diplomatic relations and democracy, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, is in India for a week. During her stay in New Delhi and Mumbai, the minister will engage in high-level bilateral discussions with her Indian counterpart to strengthen tourism ties, focusing on streamlined visa processes, digital innovation, enhanced air connectivity (including the IBSA code-share flight), and rural tourism.
In a press conference held in New Delhi on December 4, Patricia de Lille, alongside High Commissioner Anil Sooklal, Nombulelo Guliwe, CEO, South African Tourism, Neliswa Nkani, Tourism Execution Manager, and Yusuf Simons, Project lead Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, DHA, announced measures aimed at strengthening tourism ties between India and South Africa.
Streamlined Visa Processes for Indian Travellers
South Africa is taking bold steps to strengthen its relationship with India by overhauling its visa procedures for Indian travellers. With the introduction of the digital ETA system and a Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, the country aims to attract more Indian visitors and deepen cultural and economic ties. Minister de Lille emphasised that these measures are part of a wider effort to tackle long-standing issues in the visa process, such as excessive paperwork and long wait times.
“The good news is that we have finally resolved the visa issues for the Indian traveller. It is now something of the past,” said Minister de Lille. Emphasising South Africa’s commitment to treating all BRICS nations equally, she explained, “Recognising that India and China are part of the BRICS family, we have standardised the process to treat all members equally, creating a seamless and efficient system for travellers.”
One of the key measures introduced is the recruitment of Indian tour operators to facilitate visa applications. Currently, 23 Indian tour operators have signed up, with more expected to join in the coming months. This system will allow travellers to submit visa applications through designated operators, ensuring a streamlined process.
“We have established a dedicated portal with South Africa’s Home Affairs Department, which will process applications with a targeted two-to-three-day turnaround,” the minister explained. The initiative is set to take effect on January 20, 2025, with feedback from tour operators driving further improvements in subsequent phases. South African officials are actively collaborating with India’s Ministry of Tourism to expand this network.
She also mentioned, “Later today, we will meet with over 200 tour operators from India. India is a big country with a vast network of operators, and we want to ensure that we tap into this potential.” To facilitate this, Minister de Lille recently met with Indian Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, seeking assistance in compiling a comprehensive database of tour operators nationwide.
“In my meeting with the Minister of Tourism of India yesterday, I requested a database of all the tour operators in India,” Minister de Lille said. “This will enable us to reach out to them, inform them about the opportunities available, and encourage them to register.”
This system allows Indian tourists and business professionals to simplify their visa application process by working directly with tour operators. These operators manage the entire application on their behalf, whether for small groups of five or larger groups of up to 200 people. Applications are submitted through a dedicated portal, where South Africa’s Home Affairs Department ensures swift processing. “Our goal is a two- to three-day turnaround, after which applicants will have clarity on their visa status,” she explained.
The system is set to take effect on January 20, 2025. “Later today, we will meet with over 200 tour operators from India. Although only 23 have applied, we now realise that there are a lot more tour operators in India. India is big,” de Lille noted. She mentioned discussing with India’s Minister of Tourism to obtain a database of all tour operators to expand this initiative.
Introduction of Electronic Travel Agreement
Minister de Lille revealed plans to phase out the old e-visa system, which she acknowledged had not achieved the desired outcomes. In its place, a new system, the Electronic Travel Agreement, will be introduced. “This new system also allows for online applications, and we are targeting a swift two- to three-day turnaround for visa issuance,” she stated.
Standardisation of Visa Procedures
Minister de Lille highlighted efforts to resolve past inconsistencies in visa application requirements, emphasising, “We have now standardised procedures globally, ensuring all our international missions comply with our country’s legislation. Any additional unlawful requirements imposed over the years have been eliminated.”
Applicants will now be asked only three basic questions:
- When are you travelling to South Africa?
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- How long do you intend to stay, and where will you stay?
“Those are the only requirements for a visa application,” she emphasised.
India: An Important Source Market
India has become one of South Africa’s top tourism source markets. In 2019, South Africa welcomed 95,000 Indian visitors, but this number dropped to 79,000 in 2023. However, Minister de Lille remains optimistic, stating that South Africa will reach pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2024. Between January and September 2023, 59,000 Indian nationals visited, reflecting a steady recovery.
Expanding MICE and Leisure Tourism
Highlighting the potential for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) tourism, Minister de Lille stated, “There are significant opportunities for collaboration between India and South Africa. South Africa is the top MICE destination in the continent and a leader in the Middle East as well. In 2023, MICE activities generated an impressive income of US$6.6 billion for South Africa.”
Nombulelo Guliwe, CEO, South African Tourism, highlighted the focus on ‘Bleisure’ travel. “We also focus on Bleisure, where you can still attend your important meetings but come with a loved one and let them experience South Africa. We have got what we call accompanying spouse packages,” she said.
Upcoming Sports Events
South Africa is preparing to host a series of high-profile sports events that are expected to draw significant interest from Indian tourists. Among these, the T20 World Cup in 2027 is a key highlight. Minister Patricia de Lille expressed confidence in the event’s appeal to Indian cricket fans, stating, “I’m sure a lot of Indians will come and watch the cricket games there.” To ensure smooth travel for fans, a dedicated team is being established to streamline visa applications for attendees.
In May 2025, South Africa will host the Rally to Ride, an adventurous safari drive through the desert. This event offers a unique opportunity for spectators to witness drivers in action along the scenic route, combining motorsport excitement with South Africa’s renowned natural beauty.
Adding to its diverse sports offerings, South Africa has secured a UFC boxing match, further cementing its position as a destination for international sporting events. The announcement underscores the country’s commitment to catering to a variety of sports enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, South Africa is actively bidding to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2026. “We are in the process of submitting our application to host the F1 in South Africa, and we hope to get it for 2026,” Minister de Lille revealed.
