South Africa is setting up a government-backed fund, targeting conferences to boost tourism numbers.
Tourism minister Derek Hanekom says the fund will help secure more international conferences and exhibitions for South Africa. In addition, the country is in the process of accelerating its visa application process.
As reported by news site IOL, these new plans form part of a goal to attract 5 million additional travellers to the country – four million international tourists and 1 million more local holiday trips.
In addition to developing online visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs is looking into the possibility of offering tourists visas on arrival at airports, says Hanekom. According to tourism officials, current visa processes are proving to be a deterrent for visitors from China, India and Nigeria – among the world’s largest outbound travel markets.
