EDITORIAL: Govt’s bold visa decision under scrutiny
Government’s decision to introduce entry visa requirements for countries that have not reciprocated its visa exemption goodwill has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters, with some holding the view that the move might cripple key economic sectors.
Under the new regime, people from more than 30 nations will no longer enjoy visa-free access to Namibia because the countries have not reciprocated Namibia’s visa exemption benefit.
The tourism sector is particularly fearful that the move could adversely impact the lucrative tourism industry, more so because many of the targeted countries are source markets for Namibia’s tourism sector.
Just last year, the tourism ministry released a tourists’ statistical report for 2022, which indicated a 98.1% increase in tourist arrivals from around 232 700 in 2021 to over 461 000 in 2022.
Many have attributed the country’s friendly visa regime to the ever-increasing tourism numbers, but now they fear the new changes might make Namibia a less attractive destination.
Government should be commended for taking this bold step, which will surely send a strong message to other states that on the global diplomatic front, all countries should be treated equally.
It is our hope that before this decision was taken, government widely consulted all stakeholders in order to source input on how best any unwanted impacts could be handled or avoided.
Under the new regime, people from more than 30 nations will no longer enjoy visa-free access to Namibia because the countries have not reciprocated Namibia’s visa exemption benefit.
The tourism sector is particularly fearful that the move could adversely impact the lucrative tourism industry, more so because many of the targeted countries are source markets for Namibia’s tourism sector.
Just last year, the tourism ministry released a tourists’ statistical report for 2022, which indicated a 98.1% increase in tourist arrivals from around 232 700 in 2021 to over 461 000 in 2022.
Many have attributed the country’s friendly visa regime to the ever-increasing tourism numbers, but now they fear the new changes might make Namibia a less attractive destination.
Government should be commended for taking this bold step, which will surely send a strong message to other states that on the global diplomatic front, all countries should be treated equally.
It is our hope that before this decision was taken, government widely consulted all stakeholders in order to source input on how best any unwanted impacts could be handled or avoided.
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Namibian Sun
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