The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) welcomes the Department of Home Affairs’ announcement of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), set to be implemented in January 2025. This innovative programme marks a significant leap forward in the effort to grow South Africa’s tourism industry and enhance the country’s global competitiveness, particularly in attracting tourists from high-potential markets such as China and India.
China and India, two of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets, represent a vast, untapped opportunity for South Africa. Despite this, complicated visa processes have traditionally made it challenging for tourists from these countries to visit. The TTOS is designed to address these challenges by streamlining the visa process for tourists travelling in groups through approved and vetted tour operators.
“China and India are important markets for our tourism sector. Collectively, they account for nearly 6% of our international arrivals, yet their potential is far greater. The TTOS is an essential step in removing the barriers that have held us back,” said Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson of FEDHASA. “By simplifying the visa process, South Africa is now much more accessible and attractive to these key growth markets, who we know prefer travelling in groups.”
The historical data demonstrates the urgency of these reforms. Both the Chinese and Indian markets have shown significant growth potential for South Africa in the past, but complicated visa processes have hindered sustained growth. Meanwhile, competitor destinations like Australia have seen substantial increases in visitors from these markets by implementing more streamlined visa processes.
“We’ve been losing significant ground to countries that recognise the value of making it easier for tourists to visit,” Anderson noted. “The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme is a powerful mechanism that shows we are serious about competing on the world stage and attracting a greater share of the growing tourism market from China and India.”
The introduction of Trusted Tour Operator Scheme also highlights a commendable level of collaboration between government departments and the tourism industry. The initiative involves the Department of Home Affairs working closely with the Department of Tourism and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation and operation of the scheme. This collaborative approach is critical to addressing the long-standing issues that have hindered tourism growth from these key markets.
“This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when government and industry leaders work together with a shared vision,” Anderson said. “Tourism is a vital economic sector, and initiatives like TTOS demonstrate that we can make significant strides when we collaborate effectively.”
While the TTOS is a major advance, Anderson agrees that this is only the start. “This is a significant first step, but as noted by Minister Schreiber, TTOS is an interim measure and broader visa reforms are required around digitalisation and automation,” she said. “Digitalisation and streamlining our processes further, especially for other high-value markets, will be crucial to sustaining and building upon this momentum.”
Anderson concluded with an optimistic outlook: “With continued collaboration and a relentless focus on enhancing our visa processes, South Africa can achieve—and exceed—its tourism growth targets. The TTOS is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing its positive impact on our economy and the hospitality sector.”
