“Travel facilitation” was the phrase used in
reference to visas. This discussion
seemed the most unrealistic to accomplish as so many visa regulations are based
on reciprocity, meaning it becomes a “we won’t let you play with our toys
unless we can play with yours” argument.
For instance, only 14 African countries allow Chinese citizens to enter
their borders without a visa. Those 14
countries are actually quite generous. The remaining countries in Africa
require Chinese citizens to have visas to enter simply because China requires visas
from nationals of ALL African nations. In
order for the UNWTO to truly accomplish their goal of easier travel
facilitation someone, or more accurately, some country, will need to blink and
open it’s borders first. Perhaps when
that happens things will become a bit easier.
Speaking of cross-border travel, this week was a
first for Zambia and Zimbabwe. Since
both countries were hosting the UNWTO conference they suspended visa
regulations this week for conference attendees only. Typically the border between the two
countries is closed, thus anyone entering either country must carry a passport
and possess a valid visa. That may
actually change soon. The Kavango
Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is an organization sponsored by
the World Bank and incorporating Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. In addition to the
environmental and wildlife initiatives, KAZA is attempting to make travel
between the five countries easier. In an
effort to do so the Victoria Falls border is scheduled to be “opened” in
January 2014 to encourage travel to national parks in both countries. If that pilot test is successful KAZA
anticipates within the next year one visa will be issued and encompass all five
countries.
Overall the UNWTO conference as an event was quite
successful, by African standards. I say
that because as a person who lives here my standards are a little different
from those of outsiders. I don’t believe
I attended a single session or event which actually began, or ran, on time; but
that’s normal here.
The same can be said for some of the organization. Exiting the closing ceremony I had to leave
the hotel in Zambia where it was being held and get transportation back to my
hotel in Zimbabwe. I was instructed to
take a shuttle to a neighboring hotel where a bus was allegedly waiting. After arriving at the second hotel the staff
put me back on the shuttle and sent me to the entrance gate of the property
where I was told I could catch a ride.
When I arrived at the gate there was a group of about 8 press
correspondents who had been walked to four different buses and still couldn’t
get anyone to help them. I joined them as we were taken to yet another
bus. The bus driver refused to take us
anywhere. As we walked back to the main
gate all 8 press correspondents (none of which were from Africa) voiced their
frustration and exasperation at the lack of organization. When one of them asked what I thought all I
could respond was, “TIA. This is Africa.”
Despite these challenges, I would have to say Zambia
and Zimbabwe certainly made a valiant effort.
Back in April Zimbabwe was facing serious financial trouble and there
were talks that it was soliciting other African countries for a bailout. I asked several representatives from neighboring
countries whether any of them had provided the money Zimbabwe needed and they
all said, “No.” But you know who did? Who else? China. China gave Zimbabwe a
$150 million loan.
And I can tell you exactly where that $150 million
went. When I arrived at the Zimbabwe airport last week there was a full sized
bus specifically for UNWTO delegates to transport us to our hotels. It looked brand new. I mention full sized and brand new because
the few buses you see in southern Africa are often old, without air
conditioning, smaller than what we are accustomed to in the West and generally
filthy. As I entered the bus I noticed indeed
it was brand new, as evidenced by the fact the plastic seat coverings from the
factory had not yet been removed. A few days later I saw a police convoy. The motorcycle officers were on BMW
motorcycles, while again, I saw 6 police cars, all with the plastic seat
coverings still intact. If Zimbabwe has
nothing else to show from the conference, they now have a fleet of vehicles
other African countries will no doubt be jealous of.
Despite Zimbabwe’s recent money troubles,
accusations of human rights violations and alleged election rigging, I think
they did the best job they could with the resources they had. The one aspect I think they did excel at was
human resources. Both countries brought
in hundreds of temporary workers for the two weeks surrounding the
conference. All these temporary workers
were Zambian and Zimbabwean citizens who came to Livingstone City and Victoria
Falls, respectively, and were responsible for assisting the conference
attendees. Some were elementary school
teachers from Harare who were earning a little extra money before starting the
new school year next Tuesday. A few were
business owners who took time off to “see all the excitement” and one I spoke
to was a mother. I just hope once the
last UNWTO delegate leaves they use those shiny new buses to take them all
home.
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