Indian companies and diplomats applaud President Ramaphosa’s visa reforms, aimed at enhancing tourism and business from India and China. A new Electronic Travel Authorization system promises digital applications and reduced corruption. This move addresses long-standing visa delays, signaling South Africa’s commitment to being open for business. Industry leaders anticipate significant increases in tourist numbers and direct flights as a result of these changes.
In Johannesburg, Indian companies and diplomats expressed their approval of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed reform of South Africa’s visa regime. During his recent State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall, President Ramaphosa emphasized the ambition to increase tourism and business engagement from India and China through the modernization of the visa application process.
President Ramaphosa announced an Electronic Travel Authorization system to facilitate a secure and fully digital visa application experience. This initiative aims to curb corruption through the application of artificial intelligence and automation, promising quicker processing times for tourist visas. Furthermore, he reported that South Africa has addressed over 90 percent of a backlog comprising over 300,000 visa applications, reasserting that these changes signal the country’s openness to business and tourism.
Indian firms have long faced significant delays in obtaining visas, prompting some investors to consider shifting their focus to other African nations. Mahesh Kumar, the Consul General for India in Johannesburg, noted ongoing efforts by both the Indian and South African governments to enhance accessibility for individuals to engage in business-related activities between these countries.
Travel industry professionals have voiced optimism regarding the potential impact of the new visa regime. Ashish Sharma, CEO of 24 By 7 Travel, stated that the reformation will likely surge tourist numbers from India, encouraging airlines to explore direct flights to South Africa. He highlighted South Africa’s natural beauty and cultural ties as compelling reasons for Indian tourists and expressed confidence that existing barriers in air travel will soon be alleviated.
Additionally, Gourish Chakravorthy, President of the Bengali Association of South Africa, remarked that the digitalization of the visa process represents a welcome advancement, likely to expedite visa issuance and reduce errors associated with application processing. This initiative is expected to foster increased tourism and economic contributions from visitors to South Africa.
The collaborative efforts by South African and Indian stakeholders reinforce a commitment to enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the realms of business and tourism, setting a progressive course for future engagement between the two nations.
The announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the overhaul of South Africa’s visa regime comes at a critical moment, as both India and South Africa seek to strengthen their economic ties. Improved visa processes are essential for attracting foreign investment and tourism, especially from significant markets like India. Challenges associated with visa delays and a lack of direct flights have historically hampered travel and business relations, necessitating these reforms to foster a more welcoming environment for international visitors and investors.
In summary, the proposed reforms to South Africa’s visa regime mark a significant step towards enhancing tourism and business relations with India. The introduction of a digital visa application process aims to resolve long-standing delays and improve the overall experience for travelers. This modernization is anticipated to yield economic benefits and strengthen collaboration between the two countries, paving the way for increased investment and visitor influx.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
