South Africa to start e-visa facility for Indian tourists

As part of post-pandemic revival plans, South Africa will soon be introducing e-visas for Indians to attract more tourists, business travellers and movie-makers.

The South African Tourism recently said it is eyeing 64% year-on-year growth in arrivals from India in 2022, capitalising on strong consumer demand in the country through various marketing initiatives including roadshows.

India continues to be one of the top-three focus markets for South Africa, which has outlined a strategic road map to garner 64% y-o-y increase in Indian visitors in 2022, the South African Tourism said in a statement.

As part of post-pandemic revival plans, South Africa will introduce e-visas for Indians to attract more tourists, business travellers and movie-makers.

The destination, which remains open to Indian travellers, is also processing tourist visas on priority. India served as the eighth-largest international source market for South Africa and the country is expected to maintain its position in the top-10 this year as well, it said. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune continue to be top Indian source markets to South Africa.

Currently, several stop-over flights fly from India to South Africa, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Air Mauritius. Travellers from India to South Africa will be required to produce a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa, the tourism board said, as reported by Trinity Mirror, a partner of TV BRICS.