TravTalk India Online Magazine
While India continues to retain its place among the top three focus markets for South African Tourism, it has the potential to reach the number one source market for the destination, says Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, MEISEA, South African Tourism.
Hazel Jain
Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, MEISEA, South African Tourism
Boosting connectivity and ease of travel to South Africa was a core area of focus for the tourism board of the country this year. The destination, which remains open to Indian travellers, is also processing tourist visas on priority. Also on track is the e-visa pilot programme for India. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, MEISEA, South African Tourism, said, “E-visas are going to be a game-changer for India as a source market for South Africa. It is also the affordability in terms of air connectivity and direct connection that will put India at number one position immediately.”
Prior to the pandemic, India was the eighth-largest international market for South African Tourism.
She re-asserted, “If we get a direct airline that is affordable, and easy to access from the main cities, which is New Delhi and Mumbai, India will be sitting at number one. I foresee India climbing up to number four in the next 18 months if we continue on this trajectory and we continue to receive the support from the travel trade! This is the market to watch out for.”
At present, several stop-over flights fly from India to South Africa, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Air Mauritius. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune continue to be top Indian source markets to South Africa, with 48 per cent of total Indian visitors from Mumbai. Forty-five per cent of them travel for business. “We are in the process of testing e-visas. Travellers can apply but it must be made clear to them that it is a pilot programme, so we do not create high expectations. There might be some teething issue, so please be patient. Alternately, we are currently turning around normal tourist visas in five days,” Nkani added.
TRADE SPEAK
Purvi Jhaveri, Director, Sunday Pure Holidays
When it comes to South Africa, clients usually look out for soft adventure, hard adventure, and a lot of experiential travel and outdoor activities. We met a lot of old friends from South Africa at the Mumbai leg of the roadshow and made some new ones as well. Some of the new suppliers include Glamping Adventures.
Burjis Mehta, CEO, Skyworld Tours & Travels
My clients are looking at health and safety first. They want to ensure there is nothing like a quarantine in the destination they visit. It not only makes travel costlier, but dampens the mood a bit. Once South Africa opens up, clients will look to travel there. It makes me happy to see 35 suppliers from South Africa at roadshow in Mumbai.
Mit Bhatt, Managing Partner, The Grand Vacationist
Since we sell experiential and adventure travel, South Africa is the best location for both these things. It offers safaris, motorcycling tours and diving, and we try and combine all these activities for our clients. It is a holistic destination for our clientele. We have had a few high-end queries, who have booked South Africa, including Sabi Sabi Game Reserve and the Garden Route.
Sunil Bijlani, CEO, Vacation World
I met some old friends at the South Africa roadshow. At this point of time, we are just waiting for the flights to open up because the airfares right now are a little ridiculous. So, suggesting any client a South African holiday may not be a good idea because the packaging is incomplete without the airfare. If the client takes an open-jaw journey.
Jagat Mehta, CEO, Trans Travel International
When my clients think of outbound travel, they think of safety first, and South Africa is very safe destination to visit. Moreover, South Africa has a lot of things to offer right from the highlands to adventure activities, nice hotels, good people and great hospitality. In fact, we sent a honeymooning couple to South Africa.
