Namibia’s New Visa Rule Faces Criticism from the Tourism and Economic Sectors
Namibia has introduced a new visa regime which has sparked widespread concern across the tourism and economic sectors of the country. A recent announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security revealed that Namibia’s cabinet decided to revoke visa exemptions for visitors from 31 countries, many of which are significant contributors to Namibia’s tourism industry. This decision was made on the grounds of a lack of visa reciprocity from those countries.
The Economic Policy Research Association (EPRA) in Namibia has expressed strong opposition to this policy change, advocating for the Namibian government to engage in constructive discussions with the affected countries. Eben de Klerk from EPRA’s management committee emphasized the importance of adopting a pro-business and evidence-based approach to policy decisions, highlighting the potential adverse effects of the new visa regime on the country’s economy and tourism industry.
“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,” De Klerk stated.
A survey by EPRA involving 500 businesses revealed that a significant majority view the visa restrictions negatively, predicting harm to the tourism industry and the broader economy, as well as an increase in unemployment.
De Klerk further criticized the government for not acknowledging the intricacies behind visa reciprocity issues, sharing an example where Canada revoked Namibian visa exemptions due to a high number of asylum claims from Namibian nationals.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Business Council Tourism Alliance, which represents various private sector entities, also voiced their concerns. They highlighted the negative implications such a visa regime could have on multiple economic sectors, including tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail.
Natalia Rosa, the project lead for the alliance, described Namibia’s move as a puzzling decision, especially considering Namibia’s earlier initiatives to attract international tourists, such as introducing a remote working visa and launching the Air Connect Namibia strategy to increase flight options and connectivity.
Rosa pointed to Rwanda and Zambia as examples where visa liberalization resulted in significant boosts to tourism, foreign investment, and economic growth. She urged Namibia to consider aligning visa policies with air access strategies to attract more visitors and stimulate economic development.
With countries in the SADC region moving towards more liberal visa policies, Rosa warned that Namibia risks losing its competitive edge as a tourist destination. She advocated for alternative measures to restrictive visa policies, such as implementing efficient visa processing systems like e-visas, targeted visa waivers, or enhanced security at borders.
Rosa emphasized the importance of analyzing and addressing all barriers to international visitors to promote longer stays and increased spending within the economy, aiding the recovery of the tourism sector.
In conclusion, both EPRA and the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance remain committed to supporting Namibia’s tourism industry and advocate for policies that foster sustainable growth and development. They call on the Namibian government to reconsider the restrictive visa measures and to engage in productive dialogue with stakeholders to find a balanced solution.
