South Africa Hosts First Chinese Tourists Under New Visa Policy

South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, announced the arrival of the first batch of Chinese tourists under the new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). Fifteen Chinese tourists arrived at Cape Town International Airport on February 22, 2025, in a milestone for the tourism industry in South Africa. The TTOS, which was rolled out in January 2025, seeks to simplify visa procedures for tourists from India and China. This will be a boost to tourism, with studies indicating that out of every twelve tourists coming into South Africa, one new job is created. The visas for the first group were issued in a mere six hours, a demonstration of the scheme's efficiency.

 

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa