South Africa targets more Chinese tourists

South Africa is intensifying efforts to attract Chinese tourists by streamlining visa procedures and expanding direct flight links, moves officials say are already boosting arrivals and spending. Cape Town and the Western Cape are promoting a digital Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) launched in February 2025 that allows vetted tour operators to fast-track group visa applications via a secure online platform; the scheme expanded from 65 to 110 operators by August.

In November 2025 the government introduced a personal e-visa/electronic travel authorization system enabling individuals to apply online for tourist and business visas, cutting processing times from up to two weeks to roughly 24 hours. Authorities report these changes have helped bring more than 25,000 visitors since the TTOS debuted, and official data showed double-digit growth in Chinese arrivals in the first half of 2025 compared with 2024. Chinese visitors to the Western Cape record longer stays and higher per-capita spending than average, bolstering the local travel sector and related industries.

Officials say these trends support an ambitious target to double tourism by 2035, requiring about one million additional international arrivals; China is viewed as a strategically important source market for achieving that goal. To capture more Chinese travelers, Cape Town tourism bodies are stepping up marketing in major Chinese cities, highlighting attractions such as Table Mountain, wildlife safaris, wine tourism and coastal scenery. Partnerships with airlines, travel platforms and tour operators are being expanded to improve flight connectivity and create tailored packages. Hotels, retailers and tour operators are adapting services—adding Mandarin-language support, Chinese payment platforms and customized itineraries—to better meet the needs of high-spending visitors.

The push follows a tourism recovery after pandemic-related disruptions, with authorities framing easier visa access and improved connectivity as key to boosting arrivals, creating jobs and supporting small businesses reliant on tourism. Industry representatives caution that sustained growth depends on consistent implementation of the digital systems, competitive airfares and positive perceptions of safety. City and provincial officials remain optimistic that streamlined visa processes, combined with targeted promotion and better flight links, will make South Africa more competitive among long-haul destinations and help position Cape Town as a preferred African destination for Chinese travelers.