More than half of African travellers have been discouraged from visiting a destination because of immigration requirements, exposing a growing barrier to tourism growth as countries compete for international visitors.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey found that 52 per cent of African respondents had been deterred from visiting a destination because of entry requirements, the highest proportion of any region surveyed. Globally, the figure stood at 43 per cent, up from 33 per cent in 2025.
The findings, released on October 28, highlight how visa procedures, documentation requirements and processing costs are increasingly influencing destination choices, sometimes before travellers even make a booking.
Complexity was the biggest concern among affected passengers, followed by cost. Globally, 53 per cent of respondents who had been discouraged by immigration requirements cited complexity, while 17 per cent identified cost and another 17 per cent cited privacy concerns.
For African tourism markets, the implications extend beyond immigration administration. A traveller comparing destinations may ultimately choose a country with simpler entry procedures over one requiring lengthy applications, extensive documentation or uncertain processing timelines.
This places immigration accessibility alongside air connectivity, accommodation costs and destination experiences as a factor influencing tourism competitiveness.
The survey also revealed strong African passenger interest in digital travel solutions that could simplify international journeys.
Some 87 per cent of African respondents expressed interest in using digital passports for online check-in, compared with the global average of 84 per cent. Additionally, 82 per cent were willing to share biometric information if it meant avoiding repeated presentation of passports and boarding passes at airport checkpoints.
Globally, 86 per cent of passengers said they would be likely to share immigration information digitally before departure to accelerate processing. Meanwhile, 60 per cent preferred applying for visas online rather than visiting embassies or consulates.
The findings suggest that passengers are increasingly willing to embrace technology, but immigration systems have yet to deliver the seamless experience they expect.
For African countries seeking to expand international arrivals and intra-African tourism, simplifying entry procedures could become an important competitive advantage. Electronic visa systems, predictable processing times and interoperable digital travel credentials could reduce friction for visitors while improving the efficiency of border operations.
Kenya has already moved towards digital entry processing through its Electronic Travel Authorisation system, introduced in January 2024 to replace the previous visa application process for most foreign visitors. However, the wider challenge remains ensuring that digital procedures are straightforward, accessible and predictable.
The findings also create an opportunity for travel agencies to strengthen their documentation advisory services. Visa requirements increasingly influence destination selection, making accurate entry information and assistance with applications valuable additions to travel planning. However, governments remain responsible for simplifying immigration procedures.
IATA’s survey, based on more than 10,000 responses from over 200 countries, points to a fundamental issue for the continent’s tourism industry: improving connectivity alone will not be enough if travellers find destinations difficult to enter.
With 52 per cent of African respondents reporting that immigration requirements had discouraged them from visiting a destination, easing border formalities could be as important to attracting visitors as expanding flights and promoting tourism products.
Source: International Air Transport Association (IATA)