CAPE TOWN: As part of efforts to strengthen the tourism sector, the government has launched the Summer Tourism Campaign, which encourages South Africans and visitors from across the globe to explore the country’s hidden tourist gems found across all nine provinces. ‘The Gimme Summer – Sho’t Left Campaign will profile local tourist offerings to allow more South Africans to enjoy, explore and experience our nation’s hidden tourist attractions,’ Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated in Cape Town.

According to South African Government News Agency, the minister briefed members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 November 2024. Ntshavheni announced that the government has welcomed the gazetting of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which intends to streamline the visa application process for large tour groups from China and India. The initiative addresses capacity constraints at foreign missions and aims to attract more tourists from China and India, which respect
ively account for 1.8% and 3.9% of all international visitors to South Africa.

Interested travel companies can access the system by visiting https://touroperator.dha.gov.za or by accessing the portal through the TTOS banner on www.dha.gov.za. Furthermore, the country’s eVisa System has been rolled out to 34 countries to allow tourists from those countries to apply online for a visa to South Africa without having to visit any embassy or consulate.