South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, and South African Tourism CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, are currently in India to commemorate the enduring partnership between the two nations under the theme “30 Years of Diplomatic Relations, 30 Years of Democracy, and South Africa’s Assumption of the G20 Presidency in 2025.” Emphasising on the robust ties between India and South Africa, built on a shared history of democratic values and mutual respect.Addressing the media in Mumbai, Minister Patricia de Lille emphasized promising discussions with top Indian airlines regarding a potential code-sharing partnership aimed at strengthening ties between India and South Africa. Additionally, South Africa is gearing up to host the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in 2027, leveraging the tournament to attract cricket enthusiasts and capitalize on the rising demand for experience-driven travel. Minister de Lille highlighted the significant progress made in addressing visa and air travel challenges faced by Indian tourists. South Africa is set to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), enabling individuals to apply directly for their visas and streamlining the process. Additionally, the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), scheduled to launch in January 2025, will simplify group visa applications and expedite processing times Currently, Indian tourists represent only 3.9% of total arrivals, with a goal to increase this figure to 10% by next year. The South African Minister is hoping the introduction of visas will ease the application processes and expect to enhance tourism ties between the two nations significantly. South Africa prepares to assume the G20 Presidency in 2025 and is committed to fostering global partnerships that promote sustainable development, shared prosperity, and stronger people-to-people connections.Commenting on the visit, Minister Patricia de Lille stated: “India and South Africa’s relationship has deep roots in history, and this visit provides an opportunity to deepen our collaboration across critical sectors. This visit is also an opportunity to collaborate with India’s travel trade partners, ensuring seamless and enriching travellers journeys while fostering meaningful cultural and economic exchanges. Indian travellers bring immense vibrancy to our tourism ecosystem, and we look forward to welcoming them to explore the soul of South Africa while creating lasting memories. Additionally, initiatives such as the “More & More” brand campaign, multi-city roadshows, Corporate Think Tank, and Learn SA reflect South African Tourism’s commitment to creatively showcasing the Rainbow Nation to Indian travellers.