Nearly two-thirds of Tourism Update readers (65%) have said that African countries should not revoke visa-free status to top source markets with non-reciprocal visa policies.

Only 27% voted that African countries should do this, whereas the remaining 8% were ‘unsure’.

This was in response to the Namibian Government’s decision to revoke visa-free entry for 31 countries. The decision risks undoing the progress made in the country’s tourism recovery, with the impacts expected to be most deeply felt in the price-sensitive European markets that keep the sector afloat.

Leading tourism and economic bodies have added their voices to the growing criticism of Namibia’s new visa regime, warning that the new policy could severely hamper the country’s tourism industry and economic growth.

Have you encountered bribery and corruption?

African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently facing the decision of whether to stand firm against bribery and corruption, with a large proportion believing that doing so could cost them their business.  

A new report from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants shows deep concerns about the damaging impact of bribery and corruption on SMEs, with 66% of SMEs in Africa and their advisers believing that standing up to bribery and corruption will cost them business opportunities. This is high compared with the global figure of 59%.

Tourism Update would like to know whether your business has encountered bribery or corruption in your daily operations.