logo
#

Latest news with #TourismUpdate

New tourist border opens between Kruger and Zimbabwe
New tourist border opens between Kruger and Zimbabwe

The South African

time7 days ago

  • The South African

New tourist border opens between Kruger and Zimbabwe

Home Affairs in both South Africa and Zimbabwe have approved a new seasonal, pre-scheduled tourist border crossing between Kruger National Park in South Africa and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou National Park. As reported by Tourism Update , the pilot project kicked off on 1 May and will run until 30 November. The tourist border crossing will operate through the Sengwe-Tshipise Corridor via the Pafuri-Sengwe access point within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). The new border crossing allows for daytime crossings between 11:00 and 15:00 on a maximum of two scheduled days per week, depending on river levels. Only 4×4 vehicles are permitted. Although it brings a big boost to tourism for both parks, access comes with strict conditions. Travellers must pre-book at least 14 days in advance, with a minimum four-night stay split between South Africa and Zimbabwe. This means two nights in the Makuleke Region, Awelani Lodge or another approved site in Kruger, and two nights in Gonarezhou or nearby approved lodges. Registration with SANParks and ZimParks, submission of immigration exemption forms, and valid travel documents are also compulsory. All tourists must also comply with eco-tourism requirements, which include strict waste management, speed restrictions and cultural respect. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Rovos Rail freak accident: What happened?
Rovos Rail freak accident: What happened?

The South African

time23-06-2025

  • Business
  • The South African

Rovos Rail freak accident: What happened?

Rovos Rail COO Tiffany Vos-Thane has revealed what exactly caused the collision on the privately operated Bulawayo Beitbridge Railway (BBR) this past April. The luxury Rovos Rail train was carrying foreign tourists to Zimbabwe for Easter when it collided with another locomotive. The accident derailed carriages and injured several people on board, the operating company and a local rail employee confirmed. According to Tourism Update , no guests were injured, although one staff member did pass away in the hospital almost three weeks after the accident due to an unexpected medical complication. Vos-Thane said that while a comprehensive accident report was still being finalised, the accident happened as a result of miscommunication by BBR operators. 'Somebody made a mistake and miscalculated the timings, which is just so unfortunate, particularly considering that we travel on this line at least twice a week. Having lost one of our staff members, there's an immense weight on us and we, of course, ask deep questions about how something like this could happen. But we have little control over other entities and we have to put our trust and faith in them. And, overall, they've never let us down, except for this one occasion,' Vos-Thane said as per Tourism Update . Vos-Thane also said that the accident had not impacted demand for the Rovos Rail product. 'We've only had one query asking about the BBR line. We haven't seen anything to show that this had an impact. The major concern at the moment is the general sense of economic uncertainty in the world due to issues such as tariffs and geopolitics,' Vos-Thane said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

South Africa's new digital visa system to launch in September
South Africa's new digital visa system to launch in September

The South African

time18-06-2025

  • Business
  • The South African

South Africa's new digital visa system to launch in September

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has announced that South Africa will roll out its fully digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for short-term tourist visas by the end of September. As reported by Tourism Update , the digital visa system will initially cover visits under 90 days and will be a key part of the government's broader effort to digitise visa processing and border entry. The system will be managed by the Border Management Authority and will be launched at major international airports, with plans to eventually expand it to all visa categories. Powered by artificial intelligence, the ETA system promises to deliver faster turnaround times and stronger security. 'The ETA will include world-class cybersecurity systems and live monitoring by AI-powered risk engines,' Schreiber said, as per Tourism Update. Schreiber also confirmed that the list of eligible nationalities would be announced at the time of the official launch. 'It would be premature to discuss the finer details as this will all be revealed at the go-live launch in September,' he also added. A recent live demonstration of the system for President Ramaphosa reportedly ran without issues, and final testing is underway ahead of the launch. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Home Affairs' new TTOS sees over 11 000 tourists processed
Home Affairs' new TTOS sees over 11 000 tourists processed

The South African

time29-05-2025

  • Business
  • The South African

Home Affairs' new TTOS sees over 11 000 tourists processed

South Africa's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has already seen a number of China and India-focused tour operators reaping significant rewards from the new programme. According to Tourism Update , the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently revealed that a total of 11 144 tourists have been processed through the platform since it was established in February this year. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber also reported that the volume of daily TTOS applications had grown from an average of 50 in March 2025 to 210 in May 2025. The DHA said that the TTOS currently grants 65 approved tour operators access to a digital platform where they are allowed to submit and receive visa outcomes for tour groups from both China and India. Johan Groenewald, one of these approved tour operators for India, highlighted a 'vast improvement' in visa processing through the TTOS. 'It is efficient and fast and the DHA is keeping to its commitment to process within a maximum five working days,' Groenewald said as per Tourism Update . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Mozambique pauses new travel requirements for visa-exempt visitors
Mozambique pauses new travel requirements for visa-exempt visitors

IOL News

time21-05-2025

  • IOL News

Mozambique pauses new travel requirements for visa-exempt visitors

The new travel rule had been put on hold with immediate effect due to technical difficulties with the online registration system. Mozambique's recent decision to introduce a new travel requirement for passport holders from certain visa-exempt countries has now been paused. The new policy, which required travellers to Mozambique to register their trips at least 48 hours before departure through the official electronic travel authorisation (ETA) platform, will be temporarily suspended due to technical issues. As reported by Tourism Update, the National Migration Service (SENAMI) recently issued a statement confirming that the new travel rule had been put on hold with immediate effect due to technical difficulties with the online registration system. SENAMI said that the suspension was necessary to protect user rights while work is conducted to restore and stabilise the system. 'Technical constraints have prevented normal access and submission of data,' the authority said in a statement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store