Summary: South Africa is boosting outreach to Syrian travellers after a tourism seminar in Damascus and announcing plans to roll out an expanded electronic travel authorization (eTA) system that will enable tourist visa processing in as little as 24 hours.

South Africa opens doors to Syrian tourists as the South African Embassy in Damascus held a tourism seminar to introduce Syrian travel agencies to the nation’s attractions and to outline new measures aimed at making travel easier for Syrian visitors. Central to the embassy’s announcement was a planned expansion of South Africa’s electronic travel authorization system, designed to simplify visa applications and permit tourist visas to be processed within 24 hours.

Damascus seminar marks renewed outreach

The embassy organised the event to familiarise Syrian travel agents with South Africa’s wide-ranging tourism offerings—from coastal beaches and national parks to cultural attractions. The seminar was described as the first of its kind hosted by the embassy in Syria in recent years and aimed to strengthen bilateral ties by promoting tourism as a channel for cultural exchange and greater engagement.

What the eTA expansion will change

South African officials at the seminar outlined plans to broaden the electronic travel authorization system, which is expected to launch next year. The system will apply to all nationalities that require a visa for South Africa, including Syria, and is intended to make the application process faster and more accessible by enabling tourist visa decisions in as little as 24 hours.

A market with growth potential

Speakers at the event noted that South Africa welcomed approximately ten million international visitors in the previous year but that arrivals from Syria have remained limited. Embassy representatives identified the Syrian travel market as an untapped opportunity and positioned the seminar as an early step toward encouraging more Syrians to consider South Africa as a destination.

  • Planned expansion of the electronic travel authorization system, launching next year
  • Tourist visa processing aimed to be achievable within 24 hours
  • Increased outreach to Syrian travel agencies through seminars and future events
  • Ongoing improvements to transportation, hospitality and tourism infrastructure in South Africa
South African safari landscape with acacia trees and a distant herd, representative of wildlife tourism
South Africa’s landscapes and wildlife were highlighted at the Damascus seminar to attract Syrian tour operators and travellers

Voices from the seminar

The honorary consul of South Africa in Aleppo highlighted the country’s varied scenery—from coastlines to mountains and national parks—and noted its temperate climate as a draw for visitors from the Middle East. Consular officials suggested that follow-up events later in the year could further strengthen tourism links and encourage more Syrians to explore what South Africa offers.

A South African-Syrian tour guide who attended the seminar welcomed the effort to raise awareness of South Africa’s cultural and natural diversity, including safaris, beaches and historical sites, and expressed hope that such outreach would inspire more Syrians to visit.

Context: South Africa’s tourism and infrastructure

South Africa, at the southern tip of the African continent, has a population of more than 60 million people and is known for its cultural diversity, developed infrastructure and internationally recognised national parks. Officials said the government has been modernising tourism infrastructure—improving transport links and hospitality services—to meet international standards and better accommodate incoming visitors.

What this means for travellers and the tourism industry

For travellers, the announced eTA expansion promises a simpler and faster visa route for those who need a visa to enter South Africa, potentially reducing wait times for tourist visas to as little as 24 hours. For Syrian travel agents and tour operators, the embassy’s outreach signals new opportunities to develop packages and promote South Africa as a complementary long-haul destination.

Why this matters: By easing administrative barriers and actively engaging Syrian travel professionals, South Africa aims to expand its visitor base and support bilateral economic and cultural ties. So what? If plans proceed as announced, Syrian travellers could soon face a much faster visa process and greater awareness of South Africa’s tourism products, while industry players on both sides gain fresh opportunities to grow cross-border travel offerings.