South Africa is actively engaging with the Indian government and three major airlines to establish direct flights between the two nations, aiming to boost tourism. The country’s Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille, confirmed this development during a recent interview on Tuesday, underscoring the potential benefits of direct air connectivity for both tourism and business exchanges, reports PTI.
Addressing the Current Connectivity Gap
Currently, travel between India and South Africa is limited to layover flights operated by international carriers such as Emirates, Kenya Airways, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles, RwandAir, and Qatar Airways. Minister de Lille emphasised that establishing direct flights would significantly enhance travel convenience and promote South Africa as a prime tourist destination for Indian travellers.
“We are here to promote South Africa as a tourist destination for Indian travellers and resolve any issues related to air connectivity,” de Lille said. She is engaging with Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet to discuss the benefits of direct flights and persuade the airlines to consider this crucial development.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Minister de Lille is currently on a week-long visit to New Delhi and Mumbai, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties between South Africa and India. The discussions are centred on showcasing the advantages of direct flights not only from a tourism perspective but also from trade and business viewpoints. She believes that these flights will open new opportunities for both nations in the areas of commerce, tourism, and cultural exchange.
E-Visa to Simplify Travel
In addition to direct flights, Minister de Lille highlighted a significant development regarding travel to South Africa. The South African government has addressed concerns about lengthy visa processes by implementing electronic visa (e-visa) facilities for Indian travellers. This initiative aims to simplify the travel experience and make it more accessible for Indians seeking to visit South Africa. “With e-visa, it’s much easier for an Indian traveller now to come to South Africa,” she added.
India’s Importance as a Source Market
India has emerged as one of South Africa’s top source markets for tourism. In 2019, South Africa welcomed 95,000 Indian visitors, a number that has decreased to 79,000 in 2023. However, Minister de Lille remains optimistic, stating that South Africa is on track to approach pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2024. Between January and September 2023, 59,000 Indian nationals visited South Africa, indicating a steady recovery.
Focus on Diverse Tourism Segments
The South African tourism ministry is keen to cater to a broad spectrum of Indian travellers. Minister de Lille revealed that South Africa is focusing on various market segments, including young people, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events), and leisure travellers. Additionally, adventure and sports tourism are key areas of focus, with customized packages being developed to attract a diverse range of visitors.
“We’re going to go the full spectrum. We’re also focusing on young people. And we want to design packages for young people. We’re also focusing on MICE. It’s all the sectors that we are focusing on, including leisure, adventure tourism, and sports tourism,” she stated.
As South Africa seeks to attract more Indian tourists, the introduction of direct flights, combined with simplified visa procedures, could significantly enhance travel between the two nations. With a growing interest in various tourism segments and a robust plan to increase visitor numbers, South Africa is poised to strengthen its position as a top destination for Indian travellers.