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Questions are raised as to why Zambia is proceeding with the waiver of visa requirements for citizens of countries that are unwilling to reciprocate this gesture to Zambian citizens. The higher visa fee charged from Zambian citizens by these countries is also questioned
Questions are raised as to why Zambia is proceeding with the waiver of visa requirements for citizens of countries that are unwilling to reciprocate this gesture to Zambian citizens. The higher visa fee charged to Zambian citizens by these countries is also questioned.
Recently, the Zambian government has announced the waiving of visa requirements for about 17 countries for promoting tourist arrivals into the country. Zambia’s tourism minister Sikumba recently indicated that his country was looking at 3 million international tourist arrivals by 2024, from the existing peak of 1.2 million arrivals. In order to achieve that target, Minister of Home Affairs Jack Mwiimbu waived visas for 17 countries that include, including the United Kingdom – the UK, the United States of America – the USA, Canada, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand. Other countries are China, Japan, South Korea, the Gulf States, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – UAE.
This step was largely welcomed by the people and tourism industry since it would help boost tourist arrivals. Analysts feel that there is the possibility of higher arrivals of tourists from those countries for whom rules were relaxed. The immigration fee per visa, which presently stands at US$25.28 has been waived. The government feels that this would be compensated by the increased flow of tourists.
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However, experts want the government to come out with the likely revenue loss from this measure and advise the likely gains from this decision. There are also questions being raised as to why offer citizens of a foreign country visa-free access and entry into their country when those countries impose stringent and expensive visa requirements for Zambian citizens.
