At Meetings Africa on Tuesday, 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.
When discussing the global context, the panel emphasised that trust is indispensable in today’s interconnected world. TTOS exemplifies this by streamlining visa processes and ensuring that tour operators meet high safety and accountability 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 de Lille positioned TTOS within a broader framework of global visa reforms. “Other BRICS countries have long benefited from more flexible visa regimes,” she remarked. “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 further noted that South Africa recorded almost 9 million visitors in 2024, a robust figure that sets the stage for even greater growth. “For every 12 tourists, one job is created,” Minister de Lille added, underscoring the direct link between increased tourism and job creation.
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.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa of TBCSA added valuable insights into the role of trust and collaboration. “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.”
The discussion also highlighted the critical role of digitalisation. Panellists noted that the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a further step toward a fully digitalised system that eliminates paper-based processes and minimises the potential for corruption. “Digitalisation is the lowest hanging fruit. It ensures that every traveller who wishes to visit South Africa can do so quickly and securely.”
During the same briefing, Minister de Lille revealed plans for upcoming meetings with airlines to discuss route development and enhanced connectivity. “Airlines are a vital part of the tourism ecosystem,” she stated. “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.”
This dialogue with airlines underscores the collaborative efforts between government and industry stakeholders, a central tenet of the Government of National Unity’s approach to inclusive growth and job creation.
“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.”
