In what is set to be a spectacular own-goal for a tourism industry that has been on the rise over the past decade, Namibia is planning to introduce a mandatory visa-on-arrival for passport-holders of 31 countries that were previously on the list of visa-exempt nations.
In a statement issued in May, the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security announced that citizens of 31 countries would now need to apply for a visa on arrival. These countries include many of Namibia’s most important inbound source markets, the likes of Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and the US. And if you have a passport for Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan? Well, you’re on the list too.
Sowing further confusion is the fact that no firm date has been announced for implementation of the new regime. When it comes into force, passport holders from the 31 newly-affected countries will be issued visas on arrival, but will need to make an online visa application and pay a fee.
The crux of the matter is the issue of reciprocity when it comes to visas.
According to the statement: “In recent years, the Republic of Namibia has extended gestures of goodwill and favourable treatment to nationals of various countries. However, despite these efforts, certain nations have not reciprocated. In light of these disparities, the government has deemed it necessary to implement a visa requirement to ensure parity and fairness in diplomatic interactions.”
It’s a tit-for-tat measure that is unlikely to make any difference to Namibians being able to travel to the United States or Europe without a visa. What it may well do is discourage travellers from adding a Namibian safari onto their time in the Mother City. And for a country where tourism contributes close on seven percent of GDP, it’s no surprise that the local tourism industry is less than thrilled at the changes.
In a report by The Namibian, the chief executive of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Nangula Uaandja, called the new regime 'ill-timed' and said: 'Given the unemployment challenges we are facing as well as the need to fast track the recovery of our tourism sector from the impact of Covid-19, the timing of this decision is definitely less than ideal.'
'The new requirement for visitors from almost all our main source markets to obtain visas sends an unfortunate message to those markets suggesting that Namibia is not as welcoming to visitors as we have been indicating,' Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), told Tourism Update.
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