Wildlife and adventure continue to anchor India’s travel appetite for South Africa, but evolving preferences, improving visa timelines, and renewed trade engagement are shaping the next growth phase. At its 22ⁿᵈ India Roadshow, South African Tourism detailed market trends, new focus regions, and connectivity ambitions.
Speaking during the Delhi leg of the 22ⁿᵈ Annual India Roadshow on 12 February 2026, Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), South African Tourism, highlighted shifting traveller behaviour, regional demand patterns, and the destination’s growth strategy for 2026.
Wildlife and adventure lead Indian demand
According to Karmarkar, wildlife and adventure remain the two primary drivers for Indian travellers.
“India, overall, is primarily looking at wildlife and adventure. These are our top two touchpoints,” she said, adding that each metro shows distinct preferences. “Delhi likes shopping, Kolkata prefers culture, and Mumbai enjoys food.”
Wine tourism is also gaining traction, particularly among millennials and Gen Z travellers. “Wine tourism has always been there, but it is definitely picking up. We are seeing increased stays in the winelands, especially after Cape Town and the Garden Route,” she noted, referencing regions such as Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
Arrivals and recovery targets
South Africa recorded 69,680 Indian arrivals from January to December 2025, with pre-Covid numbers standing at approximately one lakh visitors annually. The tourism board is targeting a return to pre-pandemic volumes in 2026.
One of the earlier constraints was visa processing timelines. “Now visas are coming in 24–48 hours. Hopefully, we are going to see numbers shoot up,” Karmarkar said.
The average Indian traveller spends approximately 14 days in South Africa, typically covering at least three provinces during a visit.
Cost competitiveness and Gen Z appeal
Positioning South Africa as a value-driven destination, Karmarkar emphasised cost competitiveness. With favourable currency conversion, adventure activities remain comparatively affordable. For instance, bungee jumping averages around INR7,000, and skydiving between INR8,000–and INR9,000.
Dining and wine experiences are also positioned as accessible. “Indians love value for their money, and South Africa, in general, is not expensive,” she said.
Focus on MICE and weddings
The MICE and corporate segment accounts for 45.6 per cent of total arrivals from India. South African Tourism is conducting targeted MICE think tanks in key Indian cities to showcase venues, negotiate better rates, and facilitate group travel.
On Indian weddings, smaller destination weddings of 20–40 guests are currently more feasible. Larger weddings — often hosting 500–600 guests — would benefit from improved connectivity. “A direct flight will help us more with large weddings,” Karmarkar said, adding that discussions are ongoing, with hopes of an announcement by the end of 2026.
Promoting lesser-known provinces
While Western Cape and Mpumalanga remain popular, the tourism board is actively promoting Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
“Fifty-five per cent of Kruger National Park lies in Limpopo, but many travellers are unaware of it. It is less crowded, more cost-effective, and equally luxurious,” she said.
KwaZulu-Natal, particularly Durban, holds cultural significance due to its large Indian-origin population and the Gandhi route in Pietermaritzburg. The three-hour walking tour covers sites linked to Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa, including the railway station and associated landmarks.
Eastern Cape, including Coffee Bay, is also being positioned as a quieter, experiential alternative.
Safety and perception
Addressing safety concerns, Karmarkar acknowledged perception challenges but stressed improved security measures in tourist zones, including dedicated police visibility in high-footfall areas.
“You have to be vigilant anywhere in the world today. South Africa is safe and secure, and we are ready to welcome Indian travellers,” she said.
Looking ahead, April–June and November–January remain favourable travel windows, with April–June offering stronger value due to lower seasonal pricing.
With enhanced visa efficiency, targeted provincial promotion, and continued trade engagement, South African Tourism is positioning 2026 as a recovery and growth year for the India market.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
