There is huge potential to grow India as a source market over the next five or six years, which is why increased airlift between SA and India – including a direct flight – remains high on government’s agenda.

As part of its source market recovery focused series, Tourism Update spoke to Acting CEO of South African Tourism, Sthembiso Dlamini, who highlighted this just before the organisation’s three-day India roadshow, ‘Virtually Yours South Africa’, kicked off this morning, with expected participation from over 1 000 Indian buyers and 100 South African suppliers.

India-based Vibrant Holiday Destinations Manager, Shahid Ayubi, told Tourism Update that a direct fight from India would be welcomed, especially for the MICE market. “Pre-pandemic, we brought in about 2 000 MICE travellers to South Africa every year but we could potentially double that should a direct flight be introduced.”

Dlamini said India had a population of over one billion people and 700 000 millennials. “We share strong trade links, historical and cultural ties as well as a similar business ethos. As such, we are confident of doubling, or even tripling, tourism numbers from the country, which were in excess of 100 000 in 2019.”

She said SA Tourism was working closely with the respective trade and tourism missions as well as Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal’s air access teams to lobby for additional airlift.

Several airlines that provide connectivity to India, or are considering additional links between India and SA, are also attending the roadshow. These include, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Seychelles and SAA.

Currently, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines have regular flights scheduled from India to South Africa, with layovers at Dubai, Doha and Addis Ababa respectively.

Additionally, Air Seychelles was scheduled to resume flights from India to South Africa, noted Dlamini.

Growth potential

Growth in both leisure and MICE travel from India has been on the agenda for a while, she said, but had been kicked up a notch in 2018 as soon as the potential had been identified in SA Tourism’s Market Investment Framework.

“India is home to many corporate headquarters and it is, like South Africa, on the cutting edge of innovation. Plus, our leisure options appeal to the market,” said Dlamini, highlighting that SA’s wellness, adventure and wildlife offerings were of particular interest to the Indian market.

“We’re also preparing for other trends that have emerged, including longer stays and digital nomads who come to stay and work.”

Dlamini said SA Tourism was focused on working with Government to address all barriers to travel from India.

These include making South African visas available within five to seven working days, or fewer, from the date of application.

“E-visa implementation will roll out this year for India as well,” she said.