De Lille hails ETA system as game changer for international tourism

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has hailed South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, claiming it could be a game changer for international tourism. At the Tourism Month launch in Durban on Thursday, De Lille announced the system's launch, which allows tourists to apply online and receive a response within 24 hours, bypassing the need to visit a South African embassy or consulate.

The Minister believes the system will unlock key tourism markets such as China and India, where visa processes have previously discouraged travelers. De Lille is urging the country to focus on these markets, including India, China, Mexico, and Indonesia, to show them that traveling to South Africa is now easier. She emphasizes the need to translate the ETA access video into languages like Mandarin and Hindi to reach these markets effectively.

Additionally, de Lille suggests using the 46th SADC Summit to address xenophobia concerns, emphasizing that South Africa and neighboring countries should work together to make the region more attractive to international tourists.