South Africa’s hospitality industry has welcomed government's long-awaited approval of the country’s new remote work visa, reiterating the policy’s potential to be a game changer for tourism.

After continuous delays, a new set of immigration regulations, under which the remote work visa falls, was finally gazetted by Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi on May 20. 

Theresa Emerick, MD of NightsBridge, the top provider of online booking solutions for the hospitality industry in South Africa, hailed the visa as a significant opportunity for growth and innovation.

“This visa clears the way for South African properties to effectively engage the lucrative digital nomad demographic. For those that cater for the unique needs of these globe-roaming professionals, it will pay dividends,” said Emerick.

The remote work visa allows foreign remote workers earning more than R1 million (€48 607) per year to legally work in South Africa for up to three years.

With 17.3 million Americans identifying as digital nomads in 2023, according to travel industry news site Skift, and significant markets in the UK and Germany, demand for countries with remote worker-friendly destinations is surging.

“Digital nomads crave flexibility, new cultural experiences, and destinations with an appealing quality of life and a low cost of living. South Africa checks all those boxes, putting us in pole position to become a hot spot for these professionals,” added Emerick.

Become remote-work ready

Emerick recommended that accommodation providers prepare offerings tailored for extended stays, featuring dedicated workspaces, robust WiFi, and an array of recreational areas.

"Consider turning low-use rooms or areas into shared workspaces and add a bit of gym equipment to your premises if you can."

She also encouraged hotels, guest houses and holiday rental owners to gear their marketing for this traveller segment.

"Prioritise promoting activities and lifestyle in your area, with a focus on the outdoors, fitness and wellness. Show off our sunshine in your marketing materials when it’s cold and miserable where they are. Make sure you list on our partner platforms like Airbnb, LekkeSlaap and Booking.com to reach the widest possible audience.”

General Manager at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa Pieter Buitendag, told Tourism Update that it had already, in 2023, launched remote working solutions and offers for its informal and formal venues at the hotel, offering free coffee and uncapped high-speed WiFi to make it possible for these visitors to work from the hotel. The hotel has also invested in a new second electricity generator.

Buitendag stressed that today’s digital nomads hold significant influence in ‘word of mouth’ marketing through social media.

“Digital nomads are evolved digital beings, meaning that they post a lot on social media and other platforms about their experiences which will also aid us in marketing and sales, and enhance our word of mouth and referral marketing efforts,” Buitendag said.

Addressing the barriers

Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel, told Tourism Update that the digital nomad visa is a step in the right direction and an important signal to digital nomads that South Africa is ready to welcome long-stay visitors, but several barriers still need to be addressed. 

“Firstly, the capacity of all inbound flights and the fact that we’re not seeing airlines increase the number of flights to South Africa. Secondly, the annual income requirement is significant and in fact, excludes many digital nomads,” he said.

He added that there is also an important opportunity for South Africa’s tourism officials to demonstrate that the country is in touch and able to respond to the needs of digital nomads. 

“More work remains to be done to ensure we’re marketing South Africa as a destination of choice for digital nomads, and highlighting the many factors that add to the country being the perfect work-from-anywhere destination.”

“For European nationals, especially, it’s a mere overnight flight to South Africa. Our digital infrastructure holds up to the best in the world and our weak currency, while not ideal for locals, is a boon for those earning in pounds or euros. The hope is, and the plan should be, to attract not just the digital nomads but also their family, friends and colleagues,” he said.

Lagoon Beach’s Buitendag added that if South Africa can ensure a smooth, digitally-driven application process, the hospitality industry can play its role in creating opportunities that add value.

“Many other countries in Africa and the rest of the world have already capitalised on this segment, so we have a lot of ground to cover to ensure we gain our slice of the pie. I am more than confident that as an industry we will quickly make inroads, with creative and clever ways, to access this market and to ensure we gain our fair market share of this business internationally,” Buitendag concluded.