South Africa’s 90-day visa waiver and the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme are breathing fresh life into the tourism sector.
Recently, 1 200 Chinese visitors arrived at Sun City to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Source: Facebook / @ Sun International
As reported by African Travel & Tourism Association, the relaxed visa process no longer requires in-person applications for Indian and Chinese travellers.
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It is expected to attract more tourists from China, and the market is already showing positive signs of recovery after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Brett Hoppe, Sun City general manager, this continues to create a positive impact on job creation. It further carries the potential to return the resort to its former peak booking levels during the Chinese New Year period.
Although the visa reforms are a commendable step in boosting tourism, industry leaders have called for better air connectivity. This is to support a sustained influx of Chinese tourists.
Travelling between China and South Africa currently remains a challenge as direct flights are limited.
However, despite existing challenges, many stakeholders within the tourism sector remain optimistic, eyeing a return to pre-pandemic visitor numbers by 2026.
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