Trusted Tour Operators Scheme (TTOS) to pave the way for South Africa’s business events sector

At Meetings Africa today, South African Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, and Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), outlined how the Trusted Tour Operators Scheme (TTOS) is set to revolutionise South Africa’s tourism and business events sectors. The session, attended by media and tour operators, centred on trust as the critical foundation for seamless facilitation of visas for boosting tourism, creating jobs, and positioning South Africa as a premier destination for business events.

The panel discussion emphasised the importance of trust as a cornerstone of international travel facilitation. With TTOS, visa processing will become more efficient, ensuring that tour operators meet high accountability and safety standards. Dr Schreiber explained, “Visa inefficiency has long been a barrier to growth, especially for key tourism markets like China and India. With TTOS, we are digitally transforming our visa processes, sometimes issuing visas within three days or even hours.” This rapid digital transformation not only eases entry for international visitors but also bolsters investor confidence.

Minister Patricia de Lille placed TTOS within the larger framework of global visa policy reforms. She said, “By relaxing visa conditions for major markets such as China and India, we are opening our doors wider and creating a breakthrough for our tourism sector.” She cited South Africa’s 9 million visitors in 2024 and reaffirmed the country’s ambitious target, adding, “For every 12 tourists, one job is created. With an ambitious target of reaching nearly 15 million tourists by 2030, the relaxed visa regime is poised to drive sustained growth in the industry.”

Emphasising the importance of trust in ensuring TTOS’s success, Tshivhengwa explained, “Coming out of the challenges posed by COVID-19, we knew we had to reimagine our tourism strategies, particularly to attract markets like China and India, where the middle class is rapidly expanding,” Tshivhengwa stated. He continued, “This initiative is not merely about facilitating travel; it is about building and maintaining trust. Tour operators must ensure every visitor has a memorable experience, and the government must deliver on its promise of a seamless process. When both sides honour their commitments, we create a virtuous cycle of growth that benefits everyone.”

Digitalization was a key focus of the discussion, with the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) expected to eliminate paperwork and minimise corruption risks. Digitalisation is the lowest hanging fruit. It ensures that every traveller who wishes to visit South Africa can do so quickly and securely.

Minister de Lille also outlined plans to work with airlines to improve route development and connectivity. She said, “Airlines are a vital part of the tourism ecosystem. While the visa exemption is a significant breakthrough, it must be supported by robust air access. We need carriers to develop more routes, direct ones specifically, to South Africa so that our relaxed visa regime translates into tangible visitor numbers.”

Concluding the discussion, she said, “This is not just about policy; it is about ensuring that every tour operator, every digital process, and every flight connection contributes to a safe, efficient system. Our aim is to not only attract more tourists but also to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism reach every corner of our country, from urban centres to villages, townships, and small dorpies.”