SA Launches Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to Boost Tourism from India and China

In an innovative effort to enhance tourism from India and China, South Africa has launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), inviting both local and international tour operators to participate. This scheme, conceived by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, aims to streamline visa processing for large tour groups and cut red tape that has historically hindered South Africa’s tourism growth.

The TTOS initiative emerged from collaborative discussions between the Home Affairs and Tourism departments, focused on boosting job creation through tourism. The Department of Home Affairs announced on Tuesday that the TTOS is now open for expressions of interest, targeting tour operators who wish to bring more tourists from these rapidly growing markets.

Overcoming Visa Challenges and Economic Barriers

Chinese tourists made over 100 million international trips in 2023, with only 93,000 visiting South Africa. In comparison, Australia attracted over 1.4 million Chinese tourists in the same period. The Indian market shows similar potential, currently making up only 3.9% of international visitors to South Africa. According to research, increasing tourism by just 10% could boost economic growth by 0.6% annually, creating thousands of jobs.

However, challenges such as lengthy visa processing times and language barriers have hampered South Africa’s tourism efforts. TTOS directly addresses these issues by expediting visa applications, especially for large groups, and reducing administrative obstacles. Approved tour operators will experience faster turnaround times, with visa applications processed by a dedicated team of adjudicators.

Streamlined Processing for Qualified Operators

To ensure high standards and accountability, TTOS uses a points-based qualification system based on legal compliance, operational experience, and cross-country partnerships. To qualify, operators must have at least 12 months of operational experience and meet strict compliance requirements. This transparent process includes a 30-day expression of interest period, after which Home Affairs will evaluate applications and security-check applicants in collaboration with other departments.

Indian tour operators, who have long cited visa delays as a challenge, are expected to benefit significantly from TTOS’s streamlined procedures. Once accepted into the program, participating operators will be held accountable for any legal issues arising from their tours.

A Boost for Tourism and Job Creation

With TTOS, South Africa aims to welcome its first tour groups from India and China by January 2025. This ambitious rollout aligns with the government’s goal of positioning tourism as a key driver of economic growth and employment opportunities. Depending on the program’s success, further intakes for TTOS may open in the future to accommodate additional operators.

Indian companies interested in joining the scheme can express interest by visiting touroperator.dha.gov.za:8443 or by accessing the portal via the TTOS banner on the Department of Home Affairs’ official website.