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The Namibian government recently introduced visa entry requirements for countries that have not reciprocated its visa exemption gestures. This means that foreigners from over 40 countries will not be able to enter Namibia without a visa if those countries do not reciprocate visa exemptions for Namibians, says Cirrus Capital economist Tannan Groenewald. Countries such as Germany, France, the United States and the United Kingdom are included. Since January 2015, over 70% of tourists have come from affected countries. The affected countries have also increased their contribution to the total number of tourists visiting Namibia.Unaffected countries mainly consist of African nations, with South African tourists making up over 60% of visitors from these nations. However, as a percentage of total tourists, South Africans have, over time, made up less of the total tourist arrivals as relatively high inflation in recent years has tightened their travel budgets more so than for those in affected countries.The increased proportion of overseas tourists in the past few years means we are increasingly reliant on easy, hassle-free access for foreigners. Adding visa requirements acts as a barrier to tourists and may disincentivise travel to Namibia, possibly leading them to opt for other countries without visa requirements.Should the ministry of home affairs ensure the process for obtaining a visa is efficient and hassle-free, the negative impact on tourism numbers could be reduced.Tourism provides a significant number of jobs in the country. According to the 2018 Namibia Labour Force Survey, the accommodation and food services sector made up 11% of all employed persons in the country at the time. Tourism typically creates more formal jobs in outlying areas where other formal employment opportunities may be scarce. Additionally, tourism benefits the nation by earning foreign currency, and the sector has large multiplier effects given its linkages and reliance on other domestic economic sectors – including the effect on indirect employment.

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