South Africa is preparing to introduce its first Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. A sector waiting for changeTourism stakeholders have long argued that South Africa’s visa system has limited the country’s ability to compete. South Africa now attempts to match that standard. International arrivals to South Africa reached 8.5 million in 2024, still shy of earlier peaks. South Africa competes not only with neighbouring destinations but with every long-haul market chasing the same travellers.