Tag Archives: South African Tourism

Celebrating its 30 years of diplomatic relations with India, South African Tourism held a Press Meet in New Delhi. During the address, Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa, announced the launch of a new digital Entry Travel Agreement (ETA) system to boost tourism ties with India. The move will replace the existing e-visa programme to simplify and expedite the visa application process. She said they have cut down extra documentation required for the visa application to three international documents across South African missions. She further revealed that mass visa processing for group travellers will now be made possible via a recently gazetted Trusted Tourist Tour Operator System Scheme that is primarily targeted at the Chinese and Indian markets. So far, 23 Indian tour operators have applied for this program in its first phase, demonstrating the positive response it has already received. The system will take effect on 20 January 2025. Highlighting that air connectivity remains a challenge for Indian tourists, Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa, said, “We will be meeting Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet to explore possibilities of direct flight between India and South Africa as we currently lack any direct route.” The session was focused on economic growth and strategic collaboration, delving into the future travel outlook, India-focused initiatives, and key insights to shape and strengthen outbound Indian travel to South Africa.

~Set across Chandigarh, Nagpur & Kochi, the initiative will educate over 600 travel partners on new destination offerings~ Aiming to attract 100,000 inbound travellers from India by end of the year, South African Tourism has returned with its 2024 edition of ‘Learn South Africa’ initiative. Entering the tier-2 and tier-3 outbound tourism markets of India, the flagship travel trade training workshop will enlighten the tourism board’s travel partners with renewed strategy and equip them with tools to market the Rainbow Nation effectively. In the recent years, there has been a strong uptick in the number of arrivals from India to South Africa. Capitalising on this momentum and in efforts to target emerging markets from the country, South African Tourism’s 3-city destination workshop is set to commence in Chandigarh on 27th September followed by Nagpur on 8th November and Kochi on 13th December. The workshop not only enables the tourism board to share its learnings with the travel trade fraternity but also support its partners in overcoming any obstacles they experience while promoting the destination. Cognizant of India’s outbound tourism potential and its role in achieving South Africa’s long term tourism goals, India is amongst the top 3 focus markets for South African Tourism. With a strong foothold across key metro cities and observing a trend of rising discretionary spendings from tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, it is vital for the tourism board to continually target newer markets to uphold the increased inclination towards international travel. Programs such as ‘Learn SA’ are instrumental in projecting the Rainbow Nation as a premier leisure and MICE destination. Commenting on ‘Learn South Africa’ 2024 edition, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager, Asia, Australasia, Middle …

All-inclusive airfare starting at INR 37,839/- for Ethiopian Airlines flights from Mumbai/Delhi/Bengaluru/Chennai to Cape Town/Johannesburg In its endeavour to make the Rainbow Nation more accessible to Indian travellers, South African Tourism has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines to launch its #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign. Aiming to alleviate the burden of air travel costs while visiting international destinations, the campaign offers lowest ever fares for visiting South Africa from India at just INR 37,839/-. The airfare is applicable to Ethiopian Airlines’ routes from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai to Cape Town and Johannesburg and is up for grabs through the campaign period starting 1 September to 30 September 2024. Available exclusively through the Ethiopian Airlines’ website and mobile application, customers can choose to travel anytime between 01st October – 31 December 2024 while making their bookings during the offer period. As per the offer terms, travellers can further avail an additional discount of 10% on the base fare. Announced at the onset of festive season, the offer enables Indian travellers to effectively plan their long-haul journey keeping in mind two significant occasions – Diwali and Christmas. When travelling internationally, airfares are often a major deciding factor for families and individuals alike and play a vital role in selecting experiences one can choose to indulge in during their trip. South African Tourism, in its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines’ aims to empower travellers to curate their itinerary more freely and cherish their time away whole-heartedly. An extension to South African Tourism’s wildly popular More&More campaign, #ExploreMore&MoreForLess empowers Indian travellers to embark on as many quests from the 3,000 adventure activities, majestic wildlife and varied culinary experiences available in South Africa. Expressing his enthusiasm on the campaign launch, …

South African Tourism announced ‘Africa’s Travel INDABA 2024’ to take place from 13 to 15 May in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal. The event will host over 40 trade partners from India. Nearly 95 per cent of the participants will be from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The highlight of this year’s event will be the showcase of new and untapped regions within South Africa.

Speaking at South African Tourism’s India Roadshow 2024, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, South African Tourism said the country witnessed a growth of 43 per cent in Indian visitors in 2023. There was a rise of 26% in outbound travel to South Africa from Jaipur, and 36 per cent from Delhi.

South African Roadshow 2024 kickstarted on 12 Feb in Jaipur, followed by Delhi on 13 Feb. In Delhi it saw over 40 participants, especially from tier II cities, and in Jaipur over 45 participants. With over 3500 meetings in Delhi and over 3100 meetings in Jaipur, the roadshow has been a success so far.

South African Tourism Roadshow 2024 to commence its multicity roadshow in India on 11 Feb from Jaipur. The other cities include Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The roadshow will share its redefined approach to enable the trade partners to tap into India’s growing outbound market.

Speaking about the impact its first virtual roadshow has made, Sthembiso Dlamini, Acting CEO & COO, South African Tourism, says, “We are delighted at the response received from all stakeholders including suppliers, buyers and corporates at the VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica show. India is a critical market for us as we look at travel recovery and we believe that the partnerships formed and relationships built here will hold us in good stead. We look forward to creating customised itineraries specifically for the evolved Indian traveller basis the insights and inputs we received from our trade partners.”

Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head (Middle East, India & South East Asia), South African Tourism, says, “With world-class safety and hygiene measures, screening techniques, unique accommodation establishments, off-beat socially distanced experiences and the warmest tourism service, we cannot wait to give the Indian trade fraternity a taste of our finest hospitality and luxury, as they get ready to sell travel. We look forward to mutually-beneficial and long term business partnerships as well as knowledge sharing between South African exhibitors and Indian buyers to stem from VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica.”  

Sharing plans for the India market, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism, says, “The fact that we are seeing a huge uptake for travel with forward bookings is evidence of the potential India has. To tap into the millennial market and families, we have some high-end activations in the pipeline.” The NTO will conduct its first-ever virtual roadshow from Oct 20-22, 2021.