Togo and São Tomé and Príncipe have removed the visa requirements for citizens of one another in an effort to promote tourism and strengthen their bilateral relations.
The agreement on visa-free travel was signed during a meeting in Togo’s capital, Lomé, with the officials of the two West African nations suggesting that they now expect to see increased movement between Togo and São Tomé and Príncipe, VisaGuide.World reports.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Togo, Robert Dussey, explained, all citizens of the two countries will enjoy visa-free travel privileges.
However, he stressed that visa-free stays should be short and not exceed the 90-day limit.
Through the agreement signed today, holders of all types of passports will be able to travel reciprocally in both countries, visa-free for stays not exceeding 90 days.
This means that citizens of Togo and citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe who want to stay in each other’s territory for a period of over 90 days need to undergo the visa process to obtain a long-term visa.
Visa-Free Travel Will Promote More Frequent Travel
Since citizens of Togo and citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe will no longer need to worry about having to apply for a visa when planning to enter each other’s territory, shorter and more frequent travel is expected to take center stage.
Moreover, they can now make plans at the last minute without having to think of having to undergo the visa process and pay for the visa fee.
In addition, the move will also positively affect the bilateral relations between the two West African countries.
Visa-free travel will also promote cultural exchanges and provide new opportunities for businesses.
In order to attract more foreign visitors not only from the continent but also from all over the world, Togo authorities said that they plan to make significant investments in the travel and tourism industry this year.
The authorities said that they plan on setting aside a budget of 32.5 million to revamp the country’s tourism industry. This amount represents around 58 percent of the annual budget of the Ministry of Tourism.
As revealed, the majority of the money will be used to improve tourist sites that attract visitors. Moreover, the country also aims to restore some other complexes and cultural heritage sites.