. Kapata

By BRIAN HATYOKA –
ZAMBIA and Zimbabwe have officially launched the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) uniform visa (Univisa) pilot project to promote uninterrupted movement of tourists between the two countries.
Tourists will now save time and money because they only have to obtain one visa for US$50 to visit both countries for a period of 30 days.
The points of entry where the KAZA Univisa will be available are Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, Harare International Airport as well as Kazungula and Victoria Falls borders.
KAZA TFCA is potentially the world’s largest conservation area, spanning five Southern African countries namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, centred on the Caprivi-Chobe-Victoria Falls area.
Zambia’s Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata, Zambia’s Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula, Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi and Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs Deputy Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi officially launched the Univisa during a colorful ceremony at Victoria Falls Bridge yesterday.
She said the KAZA Univisa pilot project had numerous opportunities for the growth of the tourism sector not only for Zambia and Zimbabwe but for the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Dr Simbyakula reiterated the commitment of his Ministry through the Immigration Department in ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
He said tourism was key to accelerated growth and development because of its high potential for rapid employment growth and invariably, poverty reduction.
“We cannot afford to let down our Heads of State and Government’s unwavering support to this project. For this pilot project, failure is not an option,” Dr Simbyakula said.
Dr Mzembi said the KAZA Univisa project, which would run up to May 2015, would be piloted in Zambia and Zimbabwe before being extended to three other countries in phase two which include Mozambique, Botswana and Angola. He said the product was intended to provide seamless travel for tourists across international borders of the five KAZA partner countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Namibia.