Tourist operators welcome visa fees reduction
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
PROPOSED reduction of visa fees is a good move as it will result in increased tourist arrivals and investment which will also lead to job creation in the tourism sector, Tourism expert Rose Musonda as said.
Ms Musonda has also urged the tourism sector players to take advantage of the forthcoming AU Head of States Summit to market the country by offering attractive tourism packages to the foreign visitors.
Government has in the 2022 National budget proposed to reduce visa fees of all categories by 50 percent effective January, 1, 2022.
Ms Musonda said in an interview that the sector was excited that finally government has identified the tourism sector as a key sector in stimulating economic growth.
She said as the country gradually recovers from economic woes caused by the covid 19 effects, more relief measures are needed to grow the sector.
Ms Musonda said growing the tourism industry will require that the country works out measures that will result in the country to not only benefit from the touristsarrivals but also result in tourists spending more days.
She is hopeful that Government will honor its commitment to develop infrastructure to tourism sites in different parts of the country so as to attract more local and foreign tourists.
“As players in the tourism sector, we are excited by Government’s plan to launch tourism related projects such as the completion of the Kasaba Bay in the Northern Circuit, and the Liuwa National Park which had been abandoned for many years,” he said.
Ms Musonda also urged government to improve Air transport to tour sites by constructing new airstrips and aerodromes aimed at improving connectivity which she said was has remained a major hindrance in the growth of the tourism sector.
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