New Delhi (NVI): Aiming to tap more tourists from India, South Africa is going to launch online visa application facility next week for Indian travellers and if the pilot project succeeds, a full rollout will take place from April 1, 2020.
While stating this, South African Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said talks are also underway with India for granting a multiple-entry visa to her country.
“We have a positive outlook for the India market,” the minister said.
“South Africa has taken several measures to provide ease of access to Indian tourists including bringing changes in the visa regime,” the minister said.
“The online visa application system pilot testing will happen from next week and if the pilot project goes without any glitch, a full rollout will take place from 1st April 2020,” she said.
In 2019, South Africa piloted a new e-visa system in New Zealand. On successful completion, there is an intention to begin rolling-out e-visas in other countries, with India being amongst top priority markets.
With the aim to further stimulate travel and tourism from India, the Minister indicated that the piloting of e-visas for the market was under serious consideration and would be initiated shortly.
This comes close on the heels of an initiative launched in 2018 pre-vetted visas for top tour operators to fast-track visa processing.
The newly-appointed Minister, along with the COO charted out South African Tourism Board’s India-specific growth strategy for the new year.
As South African Tourism sets its sights on doubling international tourist arrivals from 10.5 million to 21 million by 2030, India is expected to play a significant role in achieving this long-term goal.
From January to October 2019, the destination welcomed 81,316 Indian visitors to South Africa – a 5.48% year-on-year increase.
The average length of stay saw an 8% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2019 from 25 nights to 27 nights.
Total Indian traveller spends in the first half of 2019 were at a 4-year high with South African Tourism achieving 64% of its annual spends target within this period.
In November 2019, the South African Minister of Home Affairs announced that the country was doing away – with immediate effect – the need for unabridged birth certificates previously required by minors visiting from international countries.
