Maravi

New visa fees have affected tourism sector, says Kaingu

New visa fees have affected tourism sector, says Kaingu
By Kabanda Chulu and Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Thursday October 16, 2008 [04:00]

TOURISM Council of Zambia (TCZ) chairman Jacob Sikazwe yesterday urged the government to make policies that will ensure the country moves away from wildlife-based tourism to other related sub-sectors.

And tourism minister Michael Kaingu has confirmed that tourist arrivals into Zambia have been affected by the new visa fees introduced in February this year.

Sikazwe said the tourism industry in Zambia had many products to offer apart from wildlife, which has a huge potential to bring development when fully exploited.

“But in the absence of enabling policies, this poses challenges hence government should make policies to ensure that we start moving away from wildlife based tourism to other related sub sectors and we can do better especially if we put in place a better aviation industry,” he said.

And Sikazwe has challenged stakeholders in the industry to address the lack of skilled manpower and the insufficient bed capacity for the country to meet the 2010 target of recording over one million arrivals.

He said the approval of the hospitality and tourism Act would stimulate growth of the sector, especially in the area of having skilled manpower and ensuring quality standards.

And Kaingu said Cabinet would soon meet to discuss the new visa fees for possible inclusion in next year’s national budget.

He however said the government could not review the controversial visa fees now because it was towards the end of 2008.

Kaingu also said the seemingly return of political stability to Zimbabwe might put pressure on Zambia’s ability to attract tourists if the country continues to be perceived as an expensive tourist destination.

The new visa fees implemented by the government early this year were seen by industry as a hindrance to the sector’s growth and tourist arrivals into the country. For example, British nationals are now required to pay 75 pounds and 240 pounds for single and multiple entries respectively. The Immigration Department justified the increase saying it was in tandem with the fees paid by Zambians for a British visa.

Labels: JACOB SIKAZWE, TOURISM, VISAS

posted by MrK @ 3:59 PM