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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
The total number of tourists from Qatar to different destinations in South Africa increased by almost 30 percent in the first quarter of 2019, South Africa Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa has said.
“We have witnessed a very healthy increase in the number of visitors from Qatar to South Africa in 2019. While it has grown 30 percent in the first quarter, there are indications of a healthy growth in the second quarter as well,” Moosa told Qatar Tribune.
“There is a lot of interest among Qatari nationals and residents to visit South Africa for leisure and business purposes. The number of visitors is growing at a fast pace, which is evident from the increase in number of flights by Qatar Airways to different destinations in our country,” he said.
“All flights to South Africa remain fully occupied on a regular basis. There is a growing demand for extra seats. Qatar Airways increased the number of flights to South Africa very recently, and they are increasing it again,” he said.
“The recent decision by South Africa to exempt Qatari passportholders from the requirement of entry visa and allow them to stay for a period of 90 days as of August 15 this year will be vital in further increasing the number of travellers,” the envoy said.
Besides Qataris, the envoy said, it has been made easier for Indians living in Qatar to visit South Africa.
“We have also made it quite easier for Indians to travel to South Africa from Qatar by applying for visa online. Now, it takes only couple of hours to get visa for them. There are many Indians in Qatar and they are very fond of travelling to South Africa for vacations and for business purposes,” he said.
“We are also planning to introduce the same online visa process for Filipinos in Doha,” he said.
Moosa also revealed that Katara Hospitality is exploring possibilities to acquire hotels and resorts in South Africa.
“A team from Katara Hospitality had been to my country two weeks ago. They have a very positive view about the tourism sector in our country in particular and the African continent in general,” he added.
Doha
The total number of tourists from Qatar to different destinations in South Africa increased by almost 30 percent in the first quarter of 2019, South Africa Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa has said.
“We have witnessed a very healthy increase in the number of visitors from Qatar to South Africa in 2019. While it has grown 30 percent in the first quarter, there are indications of a healthy growth in the second quarter as well,” Moosa told Qatar Tribune.
“There is a lot of interest among Qatari nationals and residents to visit South Africa for leisure and business purposes. The number of visitors is growing at a fast pace, which is evident from the increase in number of flights by Qatar Airways to different destinations in our country,” he said.
“All flights to South Africa remain fully occupied on a regular basis. There is a growing demand for extra seats. Qatar Airways increased the number of flights to South Africa very recently, and they are increasing it again,” he said.
“The recent decision by South Africa to exempt Qatari passportholders from the requirement of entry visa and allow them to stay for a period of 90 days as of August 15 this year will be vital in further increasing the number of travellers,” the envoy said.
Besides Qataris, the envoy said, it has been made easier for Indians living in Qatar to visit South Africa.
“We have also made it quite easier for Indians to travel to South Africa from Qatar by applying for visa online. Now, it takes only couple of hours to get visa for them. There are many Indians in Qatar and they are very fond of travelling to South Africa for vacations and for business purposes,” he said.
“We are also planning to introduce the same online visa process for Filipinos in Doha,” he said.
Moosa also revealed that Katara Hospitality is exploring possibilities to acquire hotels and resorts in South Africa.
“A team from Katara Hospitality had been to my country two weeks ago. They have a very positive view about the tourism sector in our country in particular and the African continent in general,” he added.
