Tourists Should Blame Themselves

I’VE read the letter by would-be tourists [Dermot Hanway from Dar es Salaam, Friday June 19, The Namibian] complaining how they were mistreated and refused visas to enter the country, thus ending up sleeping at the airport.

I felt really sorry for them but I just want to point out a few points they seem to have missed by answering some questions they raised in their letter.I will start by posting the Ministry of Home Affairs link where you can see who needs and doesn’t need a visa to enter Namibia http://wwwmfa.gov.na/frame.htm.They obviously didn’t check it otherwise they won’t be crying foul.Now let me answer their questions by quoting what they wrote.’We were told that there were no visa restrictions to travel to Namibia as we were all EU citizens. Why do citizens of the EU require a visa in the first instance?’ Who told you this if you clearly stated that there is no Namibian embassy in Dar es Salaam? It only takes a few clicks to find that out. The thing is, this is Namibia and not Bulgaria or Ireland. Being a EU citizen may automatically guarantee you entry to some countries but not to Namibia, countries have different laws and I am sure you know that. What makes you think just because you are an EU citizen you don’t require a visa to Africa particularly Namibia? Not all EU member countries have diplomatic relations with Namibia, that is why a Bulgarian requires a visa but not an Irish citizen, even though you are all EU citizens.’Is it normal to treat visitors to your country in such an unhelpful and, frankly, uncaring and hostile way?’No, Namibians are very welcoming, peace loving and helpful. We are proud of our country and its diversity. You obviously feel mistreated and presumably think Namibians are not welcoming but just for the record, that was due to your ignorance.In conclusion, I just want to encourage them to obtain all the necessary documents and come to Namibia, it is a very beautiful country and everyone is welcome. It wasn’t because the Namibian High Commissioner didn’t want you to enter Namibia but it was simply because one of you didn’t have the necessary documents and this doesn’t apply only to Namibia but to all countries.Peter ‘The Boss’Via e-mail