Home » Travel News Pick » Africa’s New Schengen-Style Single Visa System Set To Surge Tourism And Attract Travellers From The US, Turkey, Australia, And Russia
Saturday, August 17, 2024
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The KAZA UNIVISA is a multiple-entry visa designed to boost tourism across several countries in Southern Africa by allowing travelers to explore multiple destinations within the region with a single visa. It is currently available for travelers visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe, with plans to potentially expand to other countries in the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, including Angola, Botswana, and Namibia. Africa’s new unified visa system, modeled after the Schengen visa, is poised to significantly boost tourism and draw travelers from key markets such as the US, Turkey, Australia, and Russia.
What is the KAZA UNIVISA?
The KAZA UNIVISA is a special visa initiative that allows tourists to enter both Zambia and Zimbabwe with a single visa. It was introduced to facilitate the movement of tourists between these two countries, making it easier for them to explore the region without the hassle of applying for multiple visas. This visa is valid for 30 days and allows multiple entries between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Additionally, it permits day trips to Botswana, specifically to visit the Chobe National Park, from either Zambia or Zimbabwe, returning on the same day.
Ports of Entry for KAZA UNIVISA
| Zambia | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Kenneth Kaunda International Airport | Harare International Airport |
| Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport | Victoria Falls International Airport |
| Victoria Falls Border | Victoria Falls Border |
| Kazungula Border | Kazungula Border |
Online Application Availability:
You can apply for the KAZA UNIVISA online (e-Visa) if you are arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, Victoria Falls Border, or Kazungula Border Control on the Zambian side.
Eligible Nationals for KAZA UNIVISA
The following is a list of countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for the KAZA UNIVISA:
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Japan | Austria | Luxembourg |
| Argentina | Kazakhstan | Belarus | Mashall Islands |
| Australia | Latvia | Belgium | Moldova |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | Liechtenstein | Brazil | Monaco |
| Britain (UK) | Lithuania | Burundi | Netherlands |
| Brunei | Luxembourg | Canada | New Zealand |
| Cape Verde | New Caledonia | Comoros Islands | Norway |
| Cook Islands | Poland | Croatia | Portugal |
| Cuba | Puerto Rico | Czech Republic | Russia |
| Denmark | Rwanda | Estonia | Samoa |
| Finland | Sao Tome | France | Serbia |
| French Polynesia | Slovakia | French West Indies | Slovenia |
| Georgia | South Korea | Germany | Spain |
| Gibraltar | Sweden | Greece | Switzerland |
| Haiti | Turkey | Hungary | Ukraine |
| Iceland | United Arab Emirates | Israel | US |
| Italy | Uruguay |
This visa initiative is designed to promote tourism by simplifying travel within the region, making it easier for visitors to explore the diverse landscapes and attractions of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and potentially expanding to other countries in the KAZA area.
How Will the KAZA UNIVISA Surge Tourism?
- Simplified Travel Process: By reducing the need for multiple visas, the KAZA UNIVISA simplifies the travel process for international tourists. This ease of access is likely to encourage more visitors to plan multi-country trips within the KAZA region, boosting tourism for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Increased Accessibility: The visa’s multi-entry feature makes it convenient for travelers to move freely between Zambia and Zimbabwe, allowing them to experience major tourist attractions in both countries. For example, tourists can easily visit Victoria Falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides without worrying about additional visa costs or bureaucratic delays.
- Boost to Regional Tourism: The KAZA UNIVISA is part of a broader initiative to promote the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area as a prime tourist destination. By making it easier for tourists to explore multiple countries in the region, the KAZA UNIVISA enhances the attractiveness of the entire area, leading to increased tourist arrivals and longer stays.
- Economic Growth: As more tourists visit the region, the increased tourism revenue will support local businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the economic growth of the participating countries. The KAZA UNIVISA is therefore not just a tool for boosting tourism but also a catalyst for regional development.
- Environmental and Cultural Preservation: By promoting eco-tourism across the KAZA region, the visa initiative helps fund the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats. Moreover, it encourages the preservation of cultural heritage sites, providing tourists with a richer, more immersive experience.
AFRAA And Its Links
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) represents 56 airlines across the African continent, which play a crucial role in facilitating tourism and connectivity through initiatives like the KAZA UNIVISA. Some of the notable airlines under AFRAA’s umbrella that could benefit from and support the increased tourism flow due to the KAZA UNIVISA include:
- Ethiopian Airlines: One of Africa’s largest and most prominent airlines, Ethiopian Airlines connects various African countries with international destinations. It could potentially offer more flights and better connections to Zambia and Zimbabwe, capitalizing on the ease of travel provided by the KAZA UNIVISA.
- South African Airways (SAA): As another major African carrier, SAA has the potential to increase its regional flights, especially to key tourism hubs like Victoria Falls, further boosting the tourism sector in Southern Africa.
- Kenya Airways: Known as “The Pride of Africa,” Kenya Airways serves many destinations across Africa and beyond. The airline could see an increase in passenger numbers to Zambia and Zimbabwe, given the streamlined visa process under the KAZA UNIVISA.
- Air Zimbabwe: As the national carrier of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe is directly poised to benefit from increased tourist arrivals facilitated by the KAZA UNIVISA. This could lead to an expansion of its routes and services within the region.
- Proflight Zambia: A significant player in the Zambian aviation sector, Proflight Zambia could capitalize on the increased tourist traffic between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offering more domestic and regional flights to cater to the growing demand.
- Air Botswana: While Botswana is not yet a part of the KAZA UNIVISA, the potential expansion of this visa initiative could benefit Air Botswana, allowing it to offer seamless travel experiences across the KAZA region.
- TAAG Angola Airlines: As Angola is one of the KAZA member states, TAAG Angola Airlines could potentially increase its regional connectivity, linking more tourists to the KAZA region.
- LAM Mozambique Airlines: Although Mozambique is not currently part of the KAZA region, LAM could benefit from potential collaborations and expanded tourism in the neighboring regions facilitated by the KAZA UNIVISA.
These airlines, along with others under AFRAA’s network, stand to gain from the increased passenger traffic driven by the KAZA UNIVISA, which encourages multi-country tourism within Southern Africa. The initiative supports AFRAA’s broader mission to improve intra-African connectivity and promote African airlines on the global stage.
