Visa exemption could boost Chinese tourism

Namibia will receive a huge boost in tourism from China should visa exemptions be granted to Chinese nationals.This is according to Loren Yan from the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, who spoke about Africa-China cultural experiences at the Tourism Expo during a tourism networking session.He said the average spending of a Chinese tourist in Namibia is N$70 000 per year.In 2019, before Covid-19 brought tourism to a standstill, 18 411 Chinese tourists visited Namibia, Yan added.He provided useful tips for Namibia to attract more Chinese tourists, suggesting that tour operators should consider including SIM and data packages so that tourists do not have to spend time buying these at the airport.He suggested hotels provide slippers, Chinese adaptors, hot drinking water and Chinese menus to cater for their needs.He suggested offering Chinese food cooked their way, Chinese-speaking tour guides and later check-out times.Transfrontier partnershipThe networking session also included discussions about the Kavango-Zambezi Transfortier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) region,Kaza executive director Dr Nyambe Nyambe said the area faces many challenges, including human-wildlife conflict, poaching, climate change, inadequate research, poverty, the capacity to engage countries, the role of the local authorities to push the agenda of KAZA, and financing.Nyambe said that KAZA is a multi-million-dollar investment consisting of 520 000 square kilometres with about 2.5 to 3 million people living in the area.It includes 19 national parks, 60 forest reserves, three World Heritage Sites, three Ramsar Sites, and 50% of the African elephant.The goal of KAZA is to establish a world-class transfortier conservation tourism destination in the Okavango and Zambezi River Basin regions.“The mission is to sustainably manage the Kavango Zambezi ecosystem, its heritage and cultural resources based on the best conservation and tourism models for the socio-economic well-being of the communities and other stakeholders in and around the eco-region through the harmonisation of policies, strategies, and practices," he said.WinnersMeanwhile, the Tourism Expo Gold winners were Enjoy, Namibia Tourism Board, Bushtec Sales and Distribution, Lefa Transportation Services, Africa Commercial Vehicles, Urban Massage Concept, and the Embassy of Indonesia.

Visa exemption could boost Chinese tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Visa exemption could boost Chinese tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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