Africa’s aviation and tourism industries face a growing demand-side challenge as immigration requirements discourage more than half of surveyed passengers in the region from visiting destinations, raising concerns about the commercial cost of complicated visa procedures and entry restrictions.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey found that 52 per cent of passengers in Africa had been discouraged from visiting a destination because of immigration requirements, the highest proportion among the regions covered by the survey.
The figure compares with a global average of 43 per cent, highlighting how visa procedures, documentation requirements and uncertainty around entry approvals can influence travel decisions before passengers book flights, hotels or other tourism services.
Released on October 28 at the World Passenger Symposium in Macao, China, the survey drew more than 10,000 responses from over 200 countries.
The findings point to an increasingly important factor in international travel demand: beyond airfares, route availability and accommodation costs, the ease or difficulty of entering a destination is becoming a consideration in whether travellers choose to visit.
For airlines, the commercial implications extend to passenger volumes and route performance, particularly on markets where complicated immigration procedures discourage prospective visitors. Hotels, tour operators, ground transport companies and other tourism businesses also risk losing customers when potential travellers abandon or redirect their trips because of entry requirements.
The survey showed that the proportion of passengers globally discouraged by immigration requirements increased to 43 per cent in 2026 from 33 per cent in 2025, indicating a widening concern about the accessibility of international destinations.
Among passengers deterred by entry requirements, 53 per cent identified the complexity of the process as their main obstacle. Privacy concerns and cost were each cited by 17 per cent of respondents.
The results suggest that administrative friction is a significant part of the problem, rather than visa fees alone. Complicated application procedures, multiple documentation requirements and uncertainty over processing times can make destinations less attractive, even where travellers have the financial means and willingness to visit.
Africa records highest travel deterrence
The regional breakdown shows that immigration requirements are a particularly strong deterrent to travel in Africa.
Africa’s 52 per cent was followed by Asia-Pacific at 49 per cent, while the Middle East recorded 43 per cent. Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 41 per cent, Europe at 38 per cent and North America at 35 per cent.
The gap between Africa and the global average underscores the importance of visa accessibility and border-processing efficiency in the region’s efforts to attract international visitors and strengthen air connectivity.
For African carriers, the implications are not limited to inbound tourism. Difficult entry procedures can affect demand from international visitors, business travellers and passengers making decisions about where to spend money or conduct commercial activities.
A destination that is perceived as difficult to enter may lose prospective visitors to competing markets with simpler application processes, more predictable approval timelines or more convenient digital immigration services.
The potential impact also runs through the wider tourism value chain. Lower visitor numbers can weaken demand for hotel rooms, tour packages, airport transfers, restaurants, leisure services and local transport, reducing the economic benefits associated with international arrivals.
Travellers favour digital visa applications
IATA’s survey also points to a clear preference for digital immigration processes.
The association found that 60 per cent of respondents preferred applying for visas online, compared with 25 per cent who favoured applying in person at an embassy or consulate.
It also found that 45 per cent would prefer to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, suggesting that passengers increasingly want travel documentation and border formalities handled in advance.
The preference for online applications reflects the convenience of completing procedures remotely, reducing the need for embassy visits and allowing travellers to manage requirements before departure.
However, the expansion of electronic visas does not automatically eliminate difficulties for passengers or airlines. IATA said more than 100 countries issue electronic visas, but differences in how governments verify them can create challenges for carriers.
Of voodoo economics, ad-hocism and Nigeria’s 90-day plan