Zimbabwe mulls visa relaxation for Chinese tourists

HARARE - Zimbabwe's tourism minister Walter Mzembi on Wednesday revealed that his government is negotiating with Beijing to arrange visa-on-arrival for Chinese tourists to visit the southern African nation.

Zimbabwe boasts of rich tourism resources including the mighty Victoria Falls.

Mzembi told journalists and ambassadors at a tourism workshop in Harare that plans were underway to ensure that Chinese nationals will be issued visas on arrival.

Currently, the Chinese must obtain their Zimbabwean visas before traveling.

Mzembi also announced the launch of a uni-visa regime between Zimbabwe and Zambia next week which will allow tourists from 40 foreign countries, including the United States, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Britain, Russia and Rwanda to visit both countries for $50 within 30 days.

The uni-visa can be obtained by eligible foreigners, from countries on the category B lists on both Zimbabwe and Zambia's immigration paper, at their ports of entry into Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The benefit of the uni-visa is that tourists would save money and time as they will be issued with one visa for both countries.

The minister said the uni-visa is also likely to benefit travelers to Botswana through the Kazungula border post that separates Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.