By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –

THE launch of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) uniform visa (Univisa) and removal of yellow fever cards requirement will enable Zambia’s tourism to grow by 30 per cent this year.
Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) chairperson Felix Mulenga  predicted that Zambia tourism sector would this year record 30 per growth following major developments affecting the sector.
Mr Mulenga said the removal of yellow fever requirement from tourists travelling into Zambia through South Africa and the launch of Univisa and removal of some barriers that had made Zambia unpopular was likely to boost the tourism industry in Zambia.
“Following the launch of Univisa and removal of certain barriers that have made our country unpopular, we anticipate a 30 per cent growth in the tourism industry.
“And also because Ebola has been manage, we will see an increase in the number of international arrivals,” Mr Mulenga said in an interview.
In November last year, Zambia and Zimbabwe officially launched the KAZA TFCA uniform visa (Univisa) pilot project to promote uninterrupted movement of tourists between the two countries.
Tourists are now expected to 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, 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.
He also said the council was working with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Ministry of Tourism to remove some of the barriers making Zambia unpopular destination.
Mr Mulenga said the council was working with both Government and other Government institutions to have them relax some regulations such as taxes among other barriers making Zambia unpopular.
Mr Mulenga said ZRA should relax some taxes, while  ZDA should also relax some investment requirement to attract more investments in the industry.
Zambia’s goal since 2012 has been to achieve a total of 1.5 million tourists arrivals into the country but that has not been achieved due to some barriers that have been making it impossible for tourists to visit the country.