De Lille made this announcement during the Meetings Africa event, a significant business and trade exhibition that commenced on Monday in Johannesburg.
The TTOS was launched last year to simplify the visa application process and enhance tourism from India and China. The initial group of 65 tour operators from South Africa, India, and China began handling visa applications through this scheme on February 12.
"We are enthusiastic about the TTOS and aim to recruit additional tour operators in the next phase. My goal is to have between 150 and 200 tour operators by December to attract more tourists from India and China," de Lille stated.
Additionally, South Africa is in discussions with various airlines to enhance its connectivity with India and China, as noted by de Lille. She highlighted that after easing visa requirements for citizens of Kenya and Ghana, the country experienced a notable increase in tourist arrivals from those nations.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber emphasized that inefficiencies in the visa process deter potential visitors to South Africa, revealing plans to broaden the TTOS to encompass more countries in the future.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, which represents the organized business sector in travel and tourism, remarked that the private sector has been advocating for the relaxation of visa restrictions to draw more tourists. "With the TTOS, tour operators will operate more professionally and welcome more visitors," he added.
Last weekend, South Africa welcomed its inaugural group of 15 Chinese tourists as part of the TTOS initiative. China and India represent two significant source markets for tourist arrivals in South Africa. According to data from the Department of Tourism, the country attracted 41,651 visitors from China and 75,541 from India in 2024.