Five Southern African nations have agreed to expand the scope of a regional visa to boost tourism and streamline travel across borders. Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all part of the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, announced their commitment to enhancing the “univisa” system. This initiative, currently allowing easy entry between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and facilitating short visits to Botswana via Kazungula, aims to simplify travel across these countries.
During a recent KAZA summit held in Livingstone, Zambia, leaders from the member nations reached a consensus to broaden the visa’s coverage to include more countries within the conservation area and the larger Southern African economic community.
Botswana’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane, confirmed his country’s full support and adoption of the univisa, signalling a unified effort to promote regional tourism.
In addition to the visa expansion, KAZA member states have agreed to advocate for changes to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regarding elephant and ivory trading. Established to regulate and control wildlife trade, CITES has banned the commercial trade of African elephant ivory since 1989 due to severe population declines.
The KAZA nations argue that lifting the ban would enable them to sell accumulated ivory worth approximately $1 billion, with the proceeds directed towards conservation efforts. This proposal underscores their commitment to balancing wildlife protection with sustainable economic development.
I am an enthusiastic travel consultant who is passionate about travel and tourism. I love to convey the wonder and "whoa's!" of places I go, and I am always eager to share relevant tips to people like me, mainly etiquette and emotions.
Southern Africa Introduces Unified Visa for Enhanced Tourism
Five Southern African nations have agreed to expand the scope of a regional visa to boost tourism and streamline travel across borders. Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all part of the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, announced their commitment to enhancing the “univisa” system. This initiative, currently allowing easy entry between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and facilitating short visits to Botswana via Kazungula, aims to simplify travel across these countries.
During a recent KAZA summit held in Livingstone, Zambia, leaders from the member nations reached a consensus to broaden the visa’s coverage to include more countries within the conservation area and the larger Southern African economic community.
Botswana’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane, confirmed his country’s full support and adoption of the univisa, signalling a unified effort to promote regional tourism.
In addition to the visa expansion, KAZA member states have agreed to advocate for changes to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regarding elephant and ivory trading. Established to regulate and control wildlife trade, CITES has banned the commercial trade of African elephant ivory since 1989 due to severe population declines.
The KAZA nations argue that lifting the ban would enable them to sell accumulated ivory worth approximately $1 billion, with the proceeds directed towards conservation efforts. This proposal underscores their commitment to balancing wildlife protection with sustainable economic development.
Post author
Updated on June 4, 2024 by TravelNinja
Enthusiastic Travel Consultant
I am an enthusiastic travel consultant who is passionate about travel and tourism. I love to convey the wonder and "whoa's!" of places I go, and I am always eager to share relevant tips to people like me, mainly etiquette and emotions.Comments
More posts