Cape Town – Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has called for domestic travel in South Africa to become more affordable, as the rising cost of living continues to place pressure on households.
She was speaking at the launch of Tourism Month in Durban.
De Lille said domestic tourism remains the “bedrock” of the country’s tourism sector, with South Africans taking more than 21 million overnight trips in the first six months of the year.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says South Africa needs to make domestic travel more affordable as the cost of living puts pressure on households.https://t.co/Ypb19acPM5 pic.twitter.com/HHw092wrKH
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 13, 2026
“And before we speak about millions of international arrivals, we must speak to our own people about taking a weekend away in our own country. It’s your country, come and enjoy your country,” According to SABC News quoted her as saying.
De Lille said government already has plans to grow the tourism industry, but warned that poor implementation and a reluctance to act are preventing the sector from reaching its full potential.
She said effective implementation of these plans could put South Africa in a stronger position to compete for a larger share of the global tourism market.
During an interview with Newzroom Afrika, De Lille also highlighted the potential of the newly introduced Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to make travelling to South Africa easier for international visitors.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the system at OR Tambo International Airport, with the new digital process aimed at simplifying travel authorisation for eligible international travellers.
Speaking to Newsroom Afrika, De Lille described the ETA as a major boost for the tourism industry, particularly because travellers can complete the application online without having to visit South African embassies or missions abroad.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has highlighted the convenience of SA’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation, saying it will make it easier for international visitors to travel to the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the system today at OR Tambo International… pic.twitter.com/8gs9t06vmR
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 12, 2026
“The ETA is a big enabler for tourism, you know, implemented by our Home Affairs Department now.”
She said the system allows travellers to submit one electronic application, with responses expected within 24 hours, making the process more convenient for visitors planning trips to South Africa.
De Lille said the government is also rolling out a digital marketing campaign targeting key international markets, including India, China, Mexico and Indonesia.
According to the minister, these markets have historically experienced difficulties with visa applications, making the move towards a digital system an important step in attracting more visitors.
“It’s all online, and the turnaround time is good for us.”
De Lille said South Africa’s move towards digital travel processes is in line with global trends and could help remove barriers for international tourists while strengthening the country’s position as a competitive tourism destination.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
