South African Tourism Showcases New Opportunities at Bengaluru Roadshow
South Africa Tourism strengthened its engagement with the Indian travel trade at the Bengaluru leg of its Annual India Roadshow, bringing together more than 235 trade professionals and over 40 exhibitors. The initiative, which follows the Mumbai leg and moves next to Ahmedabad, aims to deepen partnerships and drive growth across leisure, corporate, and MICE travel segments.
Speaking at the press conference, Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), South African Tourism, highlighted India’s growing importance, noting that India is now the 7th largest source market for South Africa, with 69,680 Indian arrivals recorded in 2025.
She also emphasised the strategic importance of Bengaluru, which ranks fourth among India’s key source markets after Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai. A significant share of outbound travel from the city comes from the MICE segment, with corporate groups increasingly seeking destinations that combine nature, wildlife, and experiential offerings.
Improved accessibility is also contributing to growth. Karmarkar noted that visa processes have been streamlined, with visas available through VFS in approximately seven days, while e-visas can be issued within 24–48 hours, making travel planning more convenient for Indian visitors.
South African Tourism is also promoting new regions and thematic experiences to encourage repeat travel, including the Western Cape, Limpopo, and the Gandhi Route in Durban, which holds particular cultural resonance for Indian travellers.
Poonam Bhatt, Assistant Vice-President, Travecare, added that Bengaluru continues to be a dynamic outbound market, with travellers seeking curated itineraries and distinctive experiences. She emphasised that roadshows such as these are critical in strengthening trade relationships and showcasing the evolving product offerings of destinations like South Africa.
Siddharth Jain, Director of Chalo DMC, highlighted that Indian travellers are increasingly drawn to destinations offering immersive and experience-led journeys. He noted that South Africa’s diverse mix of wildlife, adventure, culture, and premium experiences positions it strongly in the Indian outbound market, with the travel trade playing a pivotal role in driving conversions.
With a strong base of frequent international travellers, Bengaluru remains a high-potential market, particularly across premium leisure, adventure, and wildlife segments, where safaris continue to be a key motivator. South African Tourism is targeting a return to pre-pandemic Indian traveller volumes in 2026 and continues to expand its presence through sustained trade engagement and targeted marketing initiatives.
Looking ahead, South Africa’s hosting of the 2027 ODI World Cup is expected to further enhance the country’s visibility and attract international visitors.
