The Sunday News
Richard Muponde, Business Correspondent
THERE could be a boon for tourism in the country after Zambia, Zimbabwe’s neighbour has introduced an e-visa, a situation expected to see improved tourist arrivals into the two countries which share the majestic Victoria Falls.
The two sister countries had for a long time been using a system where visitors apply for visas at the port of entry which was cumbersome and frustrating especially to tourists who intended to visit the two countries. Tourists can now apply online in their home countries and have them stamped at the port of entry to visit the two destinations which also have a UniVisa.
Zambia Tourism Agency last week announced that the e-visa was introduced last month in the neighbouring country.
The new development also comes in the wake of United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary-general Dr Taleb Rifai announcing that Zambia was one of the top three fastest growing tourist destinations in the world sharing the spot with China.
The situation will see both Zambia and Zimbabwe benefiting from this vote of confidence as tourists who flood to see the Victoria Falls from Zambia cross to the Zimbabwean side using the same visa. In 2013 the two countries co-hosted the UNWTO general assembly which put them on the world map as safe tourism destinations.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs Mr Sugar Changonda said the developments happening in Zambia were a boon for Zimbabwe tourism too.
“As you know Zambia and Zimbabwe are Siamese twins. The introduction of an e-visa is a positive development as they have followed in our footsteps as we also recently introduced the same facility. You are also aware that we introduced a UniVisa between our two countries. It’s good that tourists apply for visas online in their home land and have them stamped at the port of entry,” said Mr Changonda.
He added: “For Zambia to be ranked one of the fastest growing tourism destinations is also a bonus for the two countries as the same was said of Zimbabwe by the same UNWTO secretary general, Dr Rifai when we attended the 21st UNWTO general assembly in Colombia.”
He said the vote of confidence in the two countries also led to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi unanimously re-elected chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), during the 57th meeting of CAF, which was presided over by Dr Rifai.
“So seeing Zambia growing like this is good for the growth of our regional tourism which has been on the agenda of our Honourable Minister Mzembi as the chairman of CAF. It’s really a compliment to Zimbabwe and the whole region,” he said.
