Saturday, September 7, 2024 As South Africa intensifies its efforts to attract more Chinese visitors, a prominent tourism expert has praised the government’s initiative to launch the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). This new scheme is designed to simplify the visa application process and stimulate tourism from China. Unathi Henama, a tourism specialist from Walter Sisulu University, commended the scheme as a strategic move to tap into the rapidly expanding Chinese travel market, which is expected to become the largest source of outbound tourists globally in the near future.
Tourism, a vital sector contributing significantly to South Africa’s GDP, saw more than 93,000 Chinese tourists visit the country in 2023. Announced by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs on Monday, the TTOS is aimed at increasing tourism from both China and India, with plans for full implementation by January 2025. The Department stated that it is collaborating with other government bodies, including the Presidency, to overcome challenges currently limiting international tourists from choosing South Africa as a destination.
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