Sadc single tourist visa expected in 2013

2013, an official in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has revealed.
This means a Sadc Univisa will coincide with the co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly conference by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Acting director for Domestic Tourism Directorate in the Ministry Mr Douglas Runyowa said notwithstanding complications inherent with coming up with a multi-nation visa, players in the region were targeting to have a Univisa in the next couple of years.
“The tourism sector believes that a single visa (Univisa) for Sadc will considerably improve ease of travel and the flow of visitors to and within the region.
“Despite the complexities that come with opening up markets of sovereign countries to unhindered tourist flow, the region is targeting to have the Univisa by 2013. In terms of its establishment, we will also draw lessons from experiences from other regions where such initiatives have been set up,” he said.
Mr Runyowa, however, added that if the 2013 deadline is missed there would at least be (by then) a provisional tourist visa for the transfrontier park between Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Botswana.
Southern Africa’s tourist drawcards include wildlife, a rich variety of wilderness areas and natural wonders of the world, sandy beaches, mountain ranges and a rich historical and cultural heritage which straddle across national borders.
To this extent, tourism players in the region believe that the Univisa can facilitate the entry of international and domestic tourists to the region, hence positively benefiting the respective economy member countries in terms of job creation, financial impact (revenue to the tourism sector and balance of payments improvement), fiscal revenue and growth in national Gross Domestic Product.
The Sadc Univisa initiative is being driven by the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa), a body that brings together the 14 Sadc members including Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Retosa’s 47th ordinary board meeting began in Bulawayo yesterday.
Zimbabwe is the outgoing chair of Retosa while Mozambique is the incoming chair.
Acting Director for International Tourism Directorate in the Tourism Ministry Mr Douglas Mavhembu last week said the Retosa meeting would help the country in engaging regional support for the country’s hosting of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly conference.
“The 47th ordinary Retosa board meeting is being held at a time when Zimbabwe and Zambia have just won their bid to co-host the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.
“What this means is that the forthcoming General Assembly is a regional affair, and both Zimbabwe and Zambia would like to leverage on expertise, solidarity and support from every single member of Sadc/Retosa to ensure the success of the event,” he said.