As South Africa prepares to implement an electronic travel approval (ETA) system, tourism stakeholders are raising urgent questions about the inclusion of travelers who are exempt from visas and the potential impact on inbound tourism. The Home Office says the list of eligible nationalities will only be announced at the official launch scheduled for September.
SATSA CEO David Frost said that while movement towards the ETA system is “a step in the right direction” and “a step in the right direction” for streamlined and safe travel, the process needs to be “consulted, transparent and thoroughly tested.” He warned that applying the ETA to travelers from Visa-exempt countries risks creating “an unnecessary obstacle when the sector should focus on restructuring demand.”
“There is no basis for applying ETA to countries that already have no visas for short stays,” Frost said. “We strongly support digital modernization, but we must be asked by collaboration, practical implementation and traveler-centric thinking.”
The step-by-step pilot approach is “much wiser,” Frost adds, referring to Kenya's recent experience.
Govacation Africa CEO Sabine Blehle reiterated his concerns about the implementation. Noting that if the ETA system brings faster processing with immigration, it could “much better the arrival experience,” Blehle warned that additional steps could block voluntary travel and disrupt older people or fewer tech-savvy visitors.
“The new system must be clear, easy to use and multilingual,” she said. “It's important to communicate changes well ahead of time. You also need to train videos and reliable support channels.”
Blehle also raised the issue of costs. “We must avoid further burdensome travelers who are already facing high flight costs to South Africa,” she said.
Onne Vegter, MD of Wild Wings Safaris, warned that applying ETAs to Visa-Exempt countries would “introduce a visa process in visa exempt countries.”
Vegter said: “In my opinion, that's a bad idea. The introduction of all kinds of management obstacles is harmful to inbound tourism. Aside from disrupting travelers, it could lead to the eviction of uninformed tourists at airports. South Africa is not known about IT capabilities and reliability.
The lack of clear details about who will be affected and how the system works “doesn't work because of a smooth, well-communication rollout,” Vegter said. He also questioned the lack of consultation with the private sector.
All respondents agreed that improvements could be provided if the ETA system was only applicable to countries that already require a visa. However, clarity, stakeholder involvement and proper preparation are essential to avoid unintended confusion.
Stakeholders are seeking a transparent timeline, a clear definition of the affected markets, and an active involvement by the Interior and SA Tourism Bureau. “Regular updates and feedback on progress are welcome,” Blehle said.
Frost added: “We are ready to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that the system is strengthened, rather than hindering South Africa's global tourism competitiveness.”
