ZTB asks Ministry of Home Affairs to simplify the visa processes for tourists

THE Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to simplify the visa processes for tourists coming from key source markets across the globe to attract more tourists to the country.

ZTB managing director Felix Chaila said some neighboring countries had already scrapped-off visas or reduced the visa fees for tourists coming from key source markets globally and hence his Board had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs for similar incentives.

Mr Chaila said studies conducted in the tourism sector indicated that more tourists were likely to visit countries which had simplified visa regimes.

He was speaking in Livingstone at Zambezi Sun Hotel on Friday night after a presentation on the newly launched Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) uniform visa (Univisa) pilot for Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“We made a request to the Ministry of Home Affairs through our parent Ministry of Tourism and Arts to make certain visa adjustments to key source tourism markets such as United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), France and Germany among others.

“When we studied the visas regimes, we have discovered that our neighboring countries have completed scrapped off or reduced visa fee to such countries while the Zambian fees are too high,” he said.

Mr Chaila said the launch of the Univisa was one of the milestones that facilitated tourist arrivals to Zambia.

“As you know, visas usually lower tourist arrivals and this launch will allow tourists from 40 countries across the globe to apply as they enter Zambia and Zimbabwe,” he said.

He said there was need to continue simplifying the visas to attract more tourists.

Mr Chaila said Zambia was also in the process of launching the electronic visa processing system to attract more tourists.

He noted that Zimbabwe and other neighboring countries had already implemented an electronic visa system.

“Besides the Kaza visas Zambia is also expected to launch the electronic visa processing system and preparations have reached an advanced stage.

“For example, India and China are some of the biggest countries worldwide but you can imagine how long it can take for tourists from these countries to process visas in the absence of the electronic system,” he said.

In a separate interview, Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Dr Walter Mzembi said the launch of the KAZA Univisa was a step in the right direction to attract more tourists.

Dr Mzembi said there was need to have a paradigm shift and change of mindset if Africa was to attract more tourists.

“We need to open our borders and remove restrictions which prevent trade and tourism activities to flourish. M

The major barriers to tourism in Africa is air connectivity and we need to improve in this area,” he said.

He also said there was need to make the Victoria Falls attractive like the case for Niagara Falls in United States of America (USA).

Dr Mzembi noted that Niagara Falls, which was smaller compared to Victoria Falls, was attracting many tourists.

Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) chairperson Alex Mutali said the KAZA Univisa was a good project but there was need to reposition the country to benefit from the initiative.

“Zimbabweans know what they want and so we must do the same. ZTB should make efforts and homework properly.

“Our Falls are dry at this time of the year while water is there on the Zimbabwean side. ZTB must work on the airlines so that they bring people to Livingstone cheaply and these are things which should be improved alongside the KAZA univisa,” Mr Mutali said.

He said there was no Ebola case in Zambia but wondered why tourists were not coming to the country.