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Kaza UniVisa to include Angola, Botswana and Namibia

Source: Tourism Update, 01/01/1970

The Kaza UniVisa project has once again been extended into 2016.
Zambia and Zimbabwe will once again issue the Kaza UniVisa at their
respective borders.

The UniVisa was launched in late 2014 as a pilot scheme, initially for
six months and later extended for another six months, which ended in
December. However, the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has advised tour
operators and lodge owners in the country that the project has once
again been extended into 2016.

The ZTB has further advised that the current non-availability of the
visa is due to the fact that visa stickers are out of stock. New visa
stickers have been ordered and should be available shortly at the
borders once again.

According to a joint statement released by Zambia and Zimbabwe, the
two countries are currently addressing challenges faced during the
pilot phase in preparation for inviting the other Kaza partner
countries, such as Angola, Botswana and Namibia, to join the UniVisa
project.

The governments of the two countries have appealed to stakeholders to
promote and publicise the UniVisa as it will facilitate easy movement
across the five partner countries for all travellers, as well as
increase length of stay in the region.

Ross Kennedy, CEO Africa Albida, calls the development a win-win for
Southern African tourism. He says: "This is a wonderfully positive
initiative by the two governments and the addition of neighbouring
countries in our tourism hub will be extremely well received by many
source markets. Hats off to all involved in getting this fully
launched and working efficiently and smoothly...as soon as
possible."

Jayne Harley, Marketing Manager Sunway Safaris, explains all of Sunway
Safaris` tours visit multiple countries. She says: "A multi-country
UniVisa will only make Southern Africa more accessible through a
simpler visa process. The countries are then naturally easier to visit
as there is less hassle and border crossings could be less
arduous."

Wilderness Safaris Chief Sales Officer, Dave Bennett, explains
travellers will increasingly opt for single itineraries that offer a
diversity of experiences in the different countries thanks to the
univisa. He says: "The UniVisa will do much to promote hassle-free
cross-country combinations. It is also an opportunity for joint
marketing between these southern African countries, as they each have
unique and complementary offerings for travellers."

Botswana Footprints` Tara Flory argues however that although quicker
processes at border posts are a positive development for the tourism
industry, the cost will need to be contained. She explains that
Botswana currently issues visas free of charge at the border for
passport-holders from most countries. She warns that the cost for the
unvisa should therefore not increase to cover Botswana.

Andy Raggett, owner of Drive Botswana, argees and says the benefits to
tourism into Botswana would be small, as most countries don`t require
a visa into Botswana. Raggett is also concerned that the UniVisa could
be a source of frustration when it`s not available as has happened in
the past.

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