South Africa has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at boosting tourism, particularly from India and China. The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a strategic partnership between tour operators from these nations and their South African counterparts, was unveiled just two months after Dr. Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, first proposed the idea. The initiative aims to streamline visa processes and increase the influx of tourists, creating much-needed jobs and fostering economic growth.
The TTOS was introduced following extensive discussions with the tourism ministry and key industry stakeholders to address long-standing visa inefficiencies. The Department of Home Affairs made the official announcement, stating, “To resolve bottlenecks and reposition Home Affairs as an economic enabler, the Department has today gazetted a call for expression of interest by established tour operators from South Africa and abroad who wish to sign up to the scheme to bring more tourists from China and India to our country.”
This move comes in response to a glaring disparity in tourism numbers. In 2023, Chinese tourists made over 100 million outbound trips, yet only 93,000 visited South Africa. By comparison, Australia welcomed over 1.4 million Chinese visitors in the same period. Indian tourists represent just 3.9% of South Africa’s international visitors, while Chinese tourists account for only 1.8%.
Research indicates that a 10% annual increase in tourism could boost South Africa’s economic growth by 0.6%, while also creating jobs across various sectors. TTOS aims to tackle barriers such as delays in group visa applications, capacity constraints at foreign missions, and language issues that have hindered growth in tourism from India and China. Approved tour operators will benefit from expedited visa processing and reduced bureaucracy, making it easier to bring large tourist groups to South Africa.
Indian tour operators have long voiced concerns about visa delays, a key issue TTOS seeks to address. A dedicated team will be tasked with processing all TTOS applications, ensuring efficiency. Tour operators involved in the scheme will also be held accountable for any legal issues involving tourists under their care.
The criteria for joining the scheme were developed through public consultation with the tourism sector and other stakeholders. According to the Department of Home Affairs, “All applications to TTOS will be fairly and transparently adjudicated according to a points-based system that allocates points on the basis of a company’s legal compliance, operating experience, proof of operational capacity, and cross-country collaboration.”
Applicants must have at least 12 months of operational experience to qualify, and the call for expressions of interest will remain open for 30 days. Once this period closes, applications will be assessed with the help of other government departments, with the first group of tour operators expected to be enrolled before the end of the year.
“Our target remains to welcome the first tourists brought to South Africa through TTOS in January 2025,” the department added. The scheme’s success and future expansions will depend on the program’s internal capacity and its initial outcomes.