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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille stated that the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 will be a significant event for South Africa's tourism industry. As South Africa will be a co-host of this tournament, the minister is leading government efforts to create an unforgettable experience for guests and ensure direct air links between South Africa and India.

De Lille indicated that India and China have been identified as key inbound tourism destinations. She noted that given the presence of competitors such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, which are also discussing direct flights with Indian airlines, high-level meetings were held with SAA, as well as with private carriers in India for a potential launch of a direct flight between South Africa and India.

The negotiations involved the Department of Tourism, the Department of Transport, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The Minister emphasized the importance of a swift resolution to this matter, as South Africa is hosting the World Cup next year, and cricket in India holds the status of religion, implying an expected large number of Indian fans in South Africa.

De Lille also reported that the High Commissioner of South Africa in India, Professor Anil Sukhlal, is engaging with the Indian business and corporate sectors. The Ministry plans to leverage the World Cup within marketing campaigns aimed at encouraging fans to extend their stays. Ticket sales tracking is planned to begin in October, and private sector service packages will be coordinated to showcase the diversity of South African offerings and attract visitors before and after the tournament.

According to the Statistics South Africa 2025 tourism report, tourism related to the original BRIC countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, and China) remains important. In 2025, 213,138 tourists from these countries arrived in South Africa, accounting for 8.9% of all international arrivals. India led this group with 69,680 tourists, followed by Brazil (63,848), the Russian Federation (41,708), and China (37,902).

De Lille added that they will collaborate with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Transport to ensure seamless travel for people in South Africa, including creating a fast-track point for arrivals to avoid airport congestion. Furthermore, community tourism initiatives are being considered so that guests can interact with local culture and small businesses.

They also plan to target major cricket-loving nations such as India, England, Australia, Pakistan, and New Zealand, as they have some of the largest fan bases. The goal is to win their favor and show what South Africa has to offer, either before or after the World Cup. Visitor experiences will then be showcased through hotels, transport, and information centers.

Together with SAT (SA Tourism), the World Cup is planned to be presented as a sports tourism platform. Since the World Cup will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, De Lille announced a regional tourism presentation for these countries, similar to regional marketing promotion. South Africa will emphasize its wildlife, culture, wine routes, and beaches, and will also create regional tourism packages. The main message they want to convey is 'the friendliest country in the world and home of the ICC Cricket World Cup.'

Professor Sukhlal noted that the lack of a direct flight to India is a drawback for South Africa, especially considering the market presence. He stated that the business sector constantly insists on the need for a direct flight, as transit time poses a serious obstacle to trade. Direct flights are necessary to maximize both business efficiency and tourism, as travelers prefer convenient direct connections over layovers.

The airline Air India Express is expanding its route network from Abu Dhabi to India, offering new options for frequent travelers.

The expanded schedule includes the launch of new direct flights to Navi Mumbai, Indore, and Lucknow. Furthermore, next month the airline will begin offering direct flights to Guwahati, scheduled for August 7, providing a direct link to northeastern India.

This expansion comes amid sustained growth in demand for passenger transport in both business and leisure sectors. The addition of these destinations improves opportunities for passengers traveling between the UAE capital and major Indian urban centers, strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a strategic global hub for aviation and tourism.

Ahmed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, noted that 'the addition of these new routes by Air India Express underscores our commitment to expanding the network of destinations at Zayed International Airport and meeting the growing demand between the UAE and India.'

With the inclusion of Abu Dhabi, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai, connecting the airport directly with Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, and Delhi. The airline's presence in Maharashtra continues to grow: over 95 weekly flights depart from Mumbai, more than 100 from Pune, and 14 from Nagpur.

Additionally, the airline supports one of the largest India-West Asia networks, connecting various Indian cities with destinations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.