South African minister: Tourism is a China-SA bridge builder

South African Tourism continued its efforts to attract more Chinese travelers to South Africa and further deepen travel relations between the two countries with a special event in Beijing on Friday.

"Tourism is a bridge builder,"South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said at the Official Dialogue Between South African Minister of Tourism and China Travel Trade &Media Partners, an event organized by the South African Ministry of Tourism and China Travel Trade.

De Lille highlighted how Chinese tourists can assist in generating economic growth and new opportunities in the tourism sector.

"Tourism is a bridge builder, working together with the Chinese government the many opportunities are not only on a tourism level, but also business. There are 40 South African companies here in China, the Chinese government has offered us to bring in another 100 products that can be exported to China," the minister replied when asked about the significant role of exchange between China and South Africa, and understanding between the people of both countries.

The minister added that she came to China "to listen to what the Chinese travelers would like" from her department and its partners.

Xing Chen, product director and travel trade operator, said that under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, relations and exchanges between various African countries and China are becoming closer. Both government-to-government and people-to-people exchanges are crucial links. "As China's economy develops, one of the most important ways for its citizens to understand other countries is to travel there, immerse themselves in the local culture, which can very easily enhance mutual understanding," Chen said.

Phindiwe Mbhele, director of corporate accounts at the South African Department of Home Affairs, noted how his department has made it easier for Chinese travelers and operators to access visas through the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a digital application platform which reduces visa processing times.

"The TTOS is a key component of the South African government's broader strategy to digitally transform Home Affairs, ultimately aiming for a fully automated and streamlined visa system for all tourists," Mbhele said.

As multiple African destinations are currently promoting themselves to Chinese tourists, it remains an important task for South Africa to develop its share of China's outbound tourism market, according to one of the Chinese Travel Trade workers at the event.