Latest news with #TourismUpdate
The South African
4 days ago
- Business
- The South African
South Africa's new digital visa system to launch in September
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has announced that South Africa will roll out its fully digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for short-term tourist visas by the end of September. As reported by Tourism Update , the digital visa system will initially cover visits under 90 days and will be a key part of the government's broader effort to digitise visa processing and border entry. The system will be managed by the Border Management Authority and will be launched at major international airports, with plans to eventually expand it to all visa categories. Powered by artificial intelligence, the ETA system promises to deliver faster turnaround times and stronger security. 'The ETA will include world-class cybersecurity systems and live monitoring by AI-powered risk engines,' Schreiber said, as per Tourism Update. Schreiber also confirmed that the list of eligible nationalities would be announced at the time of the official launch. 'It would be premature to discuss the finer details as this will all be revealed at the go-live launch in September,' he also added. A recent live demonstration of the system for President Ramaphosa reportedly ran without issues, and final testing is underway ahead of the launch. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
29-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Home Affairs' new TTOS sees over 11 000 tourists processed
South Africa's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has already seen a number of China and India-focused tour operators reaping significant rewards from the new programme. According to Tourism Update , the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently revealed that a total of 11 144 tourists have been processed through the platform since it was established in February this year. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber also reported that the volume of daily TTOS applications had grown from an average of 50 in March 2025 to 210 in May 2025. The DHA said that the TTOS currently grants 65 approved tour operators access to a digital platform where they are allowed to submit and receive visa outcomes for tour groups from both China and India. Johan Groenewald, one of these approved tour operators for India, highlighted a 'vast improvement' in visa processing through the TTOS. 'It is efficient and fast and the DHA is keeping to its commitment to process within a maximum five working days,' Groenewald said as per Tourism Update . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
Mozambique pauses new travel requirements for visa-exempt visitors
The new travel rule had been put on hold with immediate effect due to technical difficulties with the online registration system. Mozambique's recent decision to introduce a new travel requirement for passport holders from certain visa-exempt countries has now been paused. The new policy, which required travellers to Mozambique to register their trips at least 48 hours before departure through the official electronic travel authorisation (ETA) platform, will be temporarily suspended due to technical issues. As reported by Tourism Update, the National Migration Service (SENAMI) recently issued a statement confirming that the new travel rule had been put on hold with immediate effect due to technical difficulties with the online registration system. SENAMI said that the suspension was necessary to protect user rights while work is conducted to restore and stabilise the system. 'Technical constraints have prevented normal access and submission of data,' the authority said in a statement.
The South African
20-05-2025
- The South African
Mozambique puts a pause on new travel requirement for visitors
Mozambique's recent decision to introduce a new travel requirement for passport holders from certain visa-exempt countries has now been paused. The new policy, which required travellers to Mozambique to register their trips at least 48 hours before departure through the official electronic travel authorisation (ETA) platform, will be temporarily suspended due to technical issues. As reported by Tourism Update , the National Migration Service (SENAMI) recently issued a statement confirming that the new travel rule had been put on hold with immediate effect due to technical difficulties with the online registration system. SENAMI said that the suspension was necessary to protect user rights while work is conducted to restore and stabilise the system. 'Technical constrains have prevented normal access and submission of data,' the authority said in a statement. The ETA suspension is only temporary, and once the platform is fully functional, the 48-hour pre-registration requirement will be reinstated for the following countries: Belgium Canada China Denmark Finland France Germany Ghana Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Japan Netherlands Norway Portugal Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland UAE UK Ukraine US Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
14-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
KZN's luxury beach and safari resort to open next year
Significant progress has been made at the R2 billion Club Med South Africa resort, the first of its kind for the country. According to Tourism Update , Chris du Toit, the Project Director for the resort, said that the property is set to open in June next year and construction is approximately 50% complete. 'Construction progress has been fantastic. We've had a very wet summer, which has posed challenges, but we've been fortunate in terms of staying on target by the specific date,' Du Toit said as per Tourism Update . The Club Med property – along with its sister property, Mpilo Safari Lodge in Northern Zululand – will boast 486 keys, offering more than 175 000 annual room nights, along with a 500-seat convention centre. Club Med, a French travel and tourism operator headquartered in Paris, was established in 1950. The company owns or operates nearly eighty all-inclusive resort villages in holiday resorts around the world. The South African resort will help create more than 800 direct jobs, as well as 1 500 indirect jobs and 1 200 construction jobs. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
