The South African government has announced the selection of 65 tour operators tasked with processing visas in bulk for Chinese and Indian tourists, according to a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs on Monday.
The department expressed pride in concluding the selection process for the inaugural group of companies participating in the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), designed to enhance tourism arrivals from these two significant markets. “This initiative is aimed at boosting tourism spending from China and India,” the statement noted.
In a collaborative effort involving the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Tourism, and the State Security Agency, 65 tour operators were chosen from a pool of 141 applicants. The selection followed a rigorous vetting and screening process to ensure compliance and reliability.
The TTOS was first announced last year to address the low percentage of tourists from these countries, with Chinese visitors making up only 1.8% and Indian tourists 3.9% of all international arrivals to South Africa. This initiative is expected to significantly increase these figures.
The selected tour companies are recognized as major industry players, each boasting a minimum of 12 months of operational experience and a proven track record of legal compliance and successful cross-country collaboration.
South African Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “I look forward to welcoming the first arrivals under TTOS within a matter of weeks. This is a tangible demonstration of how the seventh administration is working together to deliver real reform and economic growth to create jobs.”
As South Africa continues to seek innovative ways to enhance its tourism sector, the TTOS represents a strategic step towards attracting more international visitors and boosting the economy.
