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SADC to pilot regional tourism univisa in 5 member countries
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Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Angola have been selected to pilot the new SADC Tourism Univisa, a regional travel permit aimed at simplifying cross-border movement and promoting tourism within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This announcement was made by SADC Executive Secretary Mr. Elias Magosi in a communique following the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare yesterday.
The Tourism Univisa is designed to allow foreign tourists to travel seamlessly between participating SADC countries, with expectations that it will significantly boost intra-regional tourism and stimulate economic growth across member states.
"The Summit commended five Member States, namely Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, for accepting to pilot the SADC Tourism univisa, a regional instrument which is expected to simplify travel and promote regional tourism within SADC countries to boost intra-regional tourism," said Mr. Magosi.
The Summit also reaffirmed the importance of Transfrontier Conservation Areas as key symbols of regional cooperation, peace, and sustainable development. Leaders acknowledged the foundational work of regional pioneers such as former Botswana President Dr. Festus Mogae and former South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki, who championed the creation of these conservation zones to preserve biodiversity and foster collaboration.
Mr. Magosi stressed the need for ongoing cooperation among member states, partners, and practitioners to maximise the benefits of TFCAs. This includes engaging rural communities and youth meaningfully and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing to foster inclusive conservation efforts.
Addressing challenges like human-wildlife conflict, the Summit urged member states and partners to develop tailored strategies, including appropriate legislation, to mitigate such conflicts effectively. The implementation of the SADC Law Enforcement Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy was highlighted as critical to combating wildlife crime and reinforcing multi-level cooperation.
The international community was called upon to support the SADC region's successes in conservation and influence global decisions, particularly through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to promote sustainable wildlife use.
The Summit also emphasized the need for innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs. It encouraged diversifying funding sources through carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, eco-tourism, bonds, and public-private partnerships to ensure continued socio-economic and environmental benefits.
Additionally, member states were urged to promote the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by implementing the SADC Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan. This framework aims to enhance fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, energy, and biodiversity conservation, thereby generating tangible benefits for communities and regional economies.
The development of a Regional Carbon Market Framework was recognized as a promising avenue for economic development, job creation, and climate finance access, with Zimbabwe already making notable progress in this area.
SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa received commendations for his leadership in hosting the TFCA Summit and advancing regional integration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.
President Mnangagwa expressed appreciation to all participating Heads of State and representatives for their commitment to conservation and eco-tourism, as well as to international partners for their continued support of the SADC TFCA Programme.
The Summit also celebrated the successful hosting of the SADC TFCA International Conference in Zimbabwe, which attracted over 500 delegates and more than 30 exhibitors, including government officials, NGOs, community leaders, academics, and conservation experts.
The SADC Tourism Univisa pilot marks a significant step towards fostering a more integrated and sustainable tourism sector across Southern Africa, promising increased visitor numbers, enhanced regional cooperation, and economic growth for participating countries.
The Tourism Univisa is designed to allow foreign tourists to travel seamlessly between participating SADC countries, with expectations that it will significantly boost intra-regional tourism and stimulate economic growth across member states.
"The Summit commended five Member States, namely Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, for accepting to pilot the SADC Tourism univisa, a regional instrument which is expected to simplify travel and promote regional tourism within SADC countries to boost intra-regional tourism," said Mr. Magosi.
The Summit also reaffirmed the importance of Transfrontier Conservation Areas as key symbols of regional cooperation, peace, and sustainable development. Leaders acknowledged the foundational work of regional pioneers such as former Botswana President Dr. Festus Mogae and former South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki, who championed the creation of these conservation zones to preserve biodiversity and foster collaboration.
Mr. Magosi stressed the need for ongoing cooperation among member states, partners, and practitioners to maximise the benefits of TFCAs. This includes engaging rural communities and youth meaningfully and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing to foster inclusive conservation efforts.
Addressing challenges like human-wildlife conflict, the Summit urged member states and partners to develop tailored strategies, including appropriate legislation, to mitigate such conflicts effectively. The implementation of the SADC Law Enforcement Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy was highlighted as critical to combating wildlife crime and reinforcing multi-level cooperation.
The international community was called upon to support the SADC region's successes in conservation and influence global decisions, particularly through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to promote sustainable wildlife use.
Additionally, member states were urged to promote the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by implementing the SADC Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan. This framework aims to enhance fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, energy, and biodiversity conservation, thereby generating tangible benefits for communities and regional economies.
The development of a Regional Carbon Market Framework was recognized as a promising avenue for economic development, job creation, and climate finance access, with Zimbabwe already making notable progress in this area.
SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa received commendations for his leadership in hosting the TFCA Summit and advancing regional integration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.
President Mnangagwa expressed appreciation to all participating Heads of State and representatives for their commitment to conservation and eco-tourism, as well as to international partners for their continued support of the SADC TFCA Programme.
The Summit also celebrated the successful hosting of the SADC TFCA International Conference in Zimbabwe, which attracted over 500 delegates and more than 30 exhibitors, including government officials, NGOs, community leaders, academics, and conservation experts.
The SADC Tourism Univisa pilot marks a significant step towards fostering a more integrated and sustainable tourism sector across Southern Africa, promising increased visitor numbers, enhanced regional cooperation, and economic growth for participating countries.
Source - online
