SENIOR chief Mukuni says the stringent travel rules introduced by South Africa are a wake-up call for Zambia to reposition itself as a flexible travel hub in the region.
Commenting on the new travel regulations, mostly affecting children travelling through South Africa, senior chief Mukuni said Zambia should not cry about difficulties being faced by travellers through South Africa but take advantage of the situation.
“The new regulations being added on the yellow fever requirements should serve as a wake-up call for us. We need to assert ourselves as a hub for air connectivity in the region. We need to get direct international airlines to land in Lusaka and Livingstone,” senior chief Mukuni said.
He said although the regulations seemed to be aimed at reducing issues of child trafficking, they were rather harsh.
Otto de Vries, who is the chief executive officer of the Association of Southern Africa Travel Agents (ASATA), said advance notice should be given to stakeholders such as travel agents, airlines, tour operators and airport staff worldwide so that they are educated on such changes in regulations.
Vries noted that until recently, unabridged birth certificates being required by the South African government for travelling children were not issued automatically and that people had to apply for them.
“This can be a lengthy process, and this is a major concern for our travellers,” Vries said.
He said ASATA was aware that this new regulation was related to the global issue of child trafficking, which the association supports greatly…
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