The Annual India Roadshow featured 40 exhibitors and attracted over 500 travel trade agents in Mumbai
South African Tourism successfully wrapped up the 21st edition of its Annual India Roadshow in Mumbai, marking the culmination of a multi-city showcase designed to deepen ties with India’s travel trade community. Led by Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, the event served as a strategic platform to address evolving traveller preferences and unlock new growth opportunities.
In a press statement, South African Tourism says that the roadshow featured 40 exhibitors showcasing diverse offerings and attracted over 500 travel trade agents in Mumbai alone, contributing to a total of 1,300 Indian tour operators across all three cities.
Gcobani Mancotywa
“India has always been a high-priority market for South African Tourism, with strong demand from family travellers, adventure seekers, and luxury tourists. While family travel remains a steady segment, we are now witnessing a significant rise in travellers above the age of 40 exploring South Africa. At the same time, the younger demographic presents a promising opportunity, and tapping into this segment will be a key focus for us moving forward,” says Mancotywa.
“In 2024, out of the 75,541 Indian tourists who visited the Rainbow Nation, an impressive 63.6 pc were from Mumbai, reaffirming a strong outbound potential. Bollywood and cricket, two of India’s greatest passions, continue to be at the core of our strategic outreach. From hosting film productions to leveraging cricket’s deep-rooted influence, we aim to create stronger cultural connections that inspire more Indian travellers to experience the magic of South Africa. We remain committed to deepening these ties and welcoming more visitors from India to the Rainbow Nation,” he adds.
The statement adds that the event highlighted Mumbai’s importance as a key source market for South African tourism, with a growing interest in combining leisure and business travel.
South African Tourism says that in 2024, 42.3 pc of Mumbai travellers combined work trips with leisure, while 18.5 pc showed a strong preference for adventure and nature-based experiences.
The statement says that recognising these trends, South African Tourism is actively engaging with Mumbai’s travel trade community to promote its wide-ranging offerings.
It adds that the introduction of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) is expected to streamline visa processes for Indian tourists.
“Travel convenience is a key factor in destination preference, and we are actively working with stakeholders to improve connectivity and simplify entry requirements for Indian travellers,” says Mancotywa.
According to the statement, discussions on establishing direct flight routes between the two nations are underway, signalling further growth in visitor numbers.
The statement adds that the roadshow also emphasised South Africa’s appeal as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), adventure tourism, and luxury experiences.
It adds that with India poised to become one of South Africa’s largest outbound travel markets, these efforts align with the tourism board’s ambitious target of increasing Indian arrivals by 16 pc in 2025.
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