According to South Africa Tourism, Chinese people might be allowed to take personal tours in South Africa in early 2008.

From then on, one will wait for 7 days for a traveler’s visa instead of the current 10 days, and a single person will be able to apply for such visa while at present only tourist groups of at least 5 members can do so.

South Africa became one of the tourist destinations of Chinese people in 2003, and it has become more and more popular in recent years. China Eastern Airlines opened the first direct flight from Shanghai to Johannesburg in last April.

South Africa has initiated a campaign to promote tourism and attract more Chinese travelers. It is estimated that by 2010, China will be one of three biggest tourist sources to South Africa.