India sixth largest market for SA

India moves to become the sixth-largest source market for South Africa, thanks to the post-pandemic robust recovery measures taken by South African Tourism. The destination witnessed more than 200 per cent surge in travellers from India in 2022, welcoming more than 50,000 Indian tourists to the Rainbow Nation.

Hazel Jain

Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism, is optimistic about the India market. Post COVID-19, India has moved up two spots to become the sixth-largest inbound traveller market for South African Tourism. She says, “Led by our robust recovery efforts, we witnessed over 200 per cent surge in travellers from India in 2022, welcoming more than 50,000 Indian tourists to the Rainbow Nation. Out of the overall arrivals to South Africa, one in every four visits were motivated by M!CE.”

As South Africa continues to witness an increase in inbound traffic from India, Nkani believes that direct flights between the two nations will serve as a crucial remedy for leisure and business travellers who currently have to layover at an international airport. “Once established, the direct route has the potential to propel a multi-fold increase in travel between the two nations. Being an active member of the global economy, South Africa proudly boasts the presence of many Indian MNCs, and direct connectivity will only simplify trade prospects for both countries,” she adds.

Speaking about M!CE, Nkani shares that the NTO is witnessing a huge demand for M!CE tourism to South Africa from leading corporates in India. “More often we receive long lead enquiries from group sizes varying from 2,000 to 4,000 pax, especially from the financial, information technology, beauty, insurance, coal and mining, pharmaceutical, entertainment, and sporting sectors in India,” she adds.

South African Tourism has received 64 per cent forward bookings from Mumbai for January-June 2023. Witnessing strong momentum in leisure travel after relaxation in pandemic norms, South African Tourism aims for 35 per cent increase in M!CE travellers.

To propel the momentum further, South African Tourism, with the help of its 35-member trade delegation, organised roadshows in key Indian cities – Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai recently and showcased innovative offerings. Participating exhibitors represented key regions such as Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape aspiring for partnerships.

In 2022, India moved up two spots to become the 6th largest international source market for driving tourism in South Africa. The tourism board is now aiming to achieve a substantial increase of 72 per cent in Indian travellers in 2023 over their previous year’s target. South African Tourism celebrates the completion of 30-year of bilateral relations with India. At present, several stop-over flights fly from India to South Africa, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya

Airways, and Air Seychelles.