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Namibia’s restrictive new visa regime faces rising criticism of main tourism and financial our bodies.
It’s warning that the brand new coverage might severely hamper the nation’s tourism trade and financial development.
In a shock announcement on Could 24, the southern African nation’s Ministry of Dwelling Affairs, Immigration, Security and Safety made public that Namibia’s cupboard had authorised the elimination of 31 international locations, together with the vast majority of Namibia’s high abroad tourism supply markets, from visa-exempt standing, citing an absence of reciprocity.
Namibia’s Financial Coverage Analysis Affiliation (EPRA) has strongly opposed the transfer, calling upon the Namibian authorities to ‘have interaction in constructive dialogue with non-visa reciprocating international locations to resolve underlying points’.
“By working together to address concerns and fostering a more cooperative approach, Namibia can protect its vital tourism sector and maintain its strong ties with key source markets. EPRA therefore strongly urges government to adopt a pro-business, best practice, evidence-based approach when it comes to policy formulation and implementation,” stated Eben de Klerk, a member of the EPRA’s administration committee.
A snap survey performed by EPRA amongst 500 companies discovered that 91% believed the restrictions would hurt the tourism trade, 87% believed they might hurt the economic system normally, and 80% believed they might improve unemployment.
De Klerk stated that authorities had didn’t acknowledge the legitimate causes behind an absence of visa reciprocity from different international locations.
In 2012, Canada revoked visa-free entry to Namibian nationals, with probably the most urgent concern being an unacceptably excessive variety of asylum purposes.
“Namibia had the highest immigration violation rate of all African countries, with 78% in 2011. Seventy-one per cent of travellers from Namibia made asylum claims in 2011,” De Klerk identified.
In July 2023, the UK Authorities revoked visa-free entry for a similar motive.
“It isn’t clear what Namibia has executed to alleviate these issues.
Reciprocity is a sophisticated course of that includes many elements. It isn’t merely a matter of introducing visa restrictions, and different international locations in response lifting theirs. It may result in a unfavourable financial influence, with out bringing about visa reciprocity,” De Klerk stated.
SADC alliance weighs in
In a press assertion, the Southern African Improvement Group (SADC) Enterprise Council Tourism Alliance, comprising high non-public sector our bodies throughout the area, urged Namibia’s authorities to rethink the coverage, stating it might have a detrimental influence on varied sectors of Namibia’s economic system together with tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail, all of which rely closely on worldwide guests.
“A restrictive visa regime can negatively influence the whole tourism worth chain. It hinders not solely leisure journey but in addition enterprise journey, conferences, occasions, training, and commerce, thereby limiting total financial development and growth,” stated the alliance’s venture lead Natalia Rosa.
Describing the transfer as a ‘puzzling U-turn’, in mild of the truth that Namibia was one of many first international locations to introduce a distant working visa, the alliance stated the proposed coverage additionally appeared to contradict Namibia Airports Firm’s recently-launched air entry technique, Air Join Namibia, geared toward growing worldwide flights and connectivity.
Rosa additional identified that proof from throughout Africa, together with success tales from Rwanda and Zambia, demonstrates that visa liberalisation considerably boosts tourism, overseas funding, and total financial development.
“Aligning visa policies with the air access strategy is essential to maximise the benefits of increased flight options and attract a larger influx of travellers. Namibia could look to successful examples like Rwanda, which has seen significant growth in its MICE tourism sector due to visa liberalisation and investment in infrastructure,” stated Rosa.
Contemplating that international locations in SADC are transferring in the direction of extra liberal visa insurance policies, Rosa cautioned that Namibia dangers falling behind its regional friends and dropping its aggressive edge as a vacationer vacation spot.
“We urge the Namibian government to reconsider these restrictive measures and engage in dialogue with stakeholders to find solutions that balance security concerns with the need for economic growth and regional competitiveness,” Rosa added.
Rosa steered that Namibia might discover various options corresponding to implementing extra environment friendly visa processing programs like e-visas, focused visa waivers for particular teams, or enhanced safety measures at borders.
“All barriers to entry for international visitors must be critically examined and addressed to encourage longer stays, increase spending in the economy, and accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector,” stated Rosa.
Rosa said that the alliance “remains committed to supporting Namibia’s tourism industry and advocating for policies that promote sustainable growth and development”.
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