Rwanda: EAC Has Been Beneficial

Rugwabiza Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza – Rwandan Minister of East African Community

As the East African community heads of state meet in Nairobi this week, Rwandans have no reason to wonder about the benefits of the body.

Among the many benefits Rwanda has achieved from EAC integration is the Single Tourist Visa use and the Single Customs Territory (SCT), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of East African Community Affair, Safari Innocent said while addressing the media.

The SCT allows Rwandans to cross over to Kenya and Uganda using identity cards which is supporting trade between the countries, and the Single Tourist Visa allows tourists to move within the three countries with payment of 100$ which is supporting the tourism sector not only of the country but also of the region.

2014 Africa Tourism Monitor focuses on the continent’s people

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrives at Speke Resort Munyonyo where he officially opened ATA’s 39th Annual World Congress

Tourism has enormous potential to transform lives, particularly in terms of job creation and human development.

In 2013 alone, the African continent welcomed 65 million visitors. By 2030, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) projects that Africa’s international tourist arrivals will rise to 134 million, an increase of 106%. In the latest issue of the Africa Tourism Monitor, a joint publication produced annually by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Travel Association (ATA), and New York University’s Africa House – the focus is on Africa’s greatest asset: its people.

Tanzania set to join East Africa single visa scheme

The East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc that also includes Burundi, is seeking to promote the region’s tourism potential and market member states as a single tourist destination.

Tanzania is ready to eventually join the single visa scheme – currently operational in the three East African countries of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda – amid efforts to promote the sub-region as a tourism destination.

“As a country, we are now doing our homework to look at some issues like security, once one tourism destination comes to operation,” Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Lazaro Nyalandu said.

Kenya, Tanzania to enforce tour operators’ deal

East African Affairs, Commerce & Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie says the two countries have agreed to create awareness among tour operators to ensure that the deal is respected and avoid any conflict

KENYA: The government has pledged to ensure smooth implementation of the 1985 bilateral agreement with Tanzania which allows tourist vans to drop tourists at convenient points between Kenya and Tanzania.

East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie says the two countries have agreed to create awareness among tour operators to ensure that the deal is respected and avoid any conflict.

Kenya to host the Africa Travel Association (ATA) world congress in 2015

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie

East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the conference will spur tourism business in the country.

Announcing the news during the 39th ATA Congress in Kampala, Uganda, Ms Kandie said the event will bring together close to 500 delegates from over 20 countries across the globe.

She said the event is among a number of key international conferences that the country has lined up next year, a sign of expected growth in conference tourism.

Kenya Tourism Federation destination update

Following the unfortunate events that took place in Mpeketoni in mainland Lamu, the Kenyan Government has embarked on increasing security in the region. The affected communities have and continue to receive support from the Government, Kenyans and friends of goodwill through the Red Cross and have started rebuilding their lives. There are reports of renewed hostilities and the situation is being closely monitored.

#KTF on the state of Kenyan Tourism in light of the Update Travel Advisories

The private sector in tourism wishes to state the following in light of the updated travel advisories from some our tourist source markets:

UGANDA: National identity card exercise, starts 13th April 2014

President Yoweri Museveni has stressed the importance of a digitalized national identity card saying it is a difficult document to fall prey to forgery.

Felix Mosha elected Chairman of the East African business Council

During the 15th Annual General Meeting held at the East African Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania, on 4th April 2014, the East African Business Council elected its new Executive Committee for the period of 2014/2015 with Mr. Felix Mosha elected as the Chairman taking over from Mr. Vimal Shah, who has served as Chairman since May 2013.

East Africa Single Tourist Visa – Things to Note

How will the single tourist visa be issued?

It will be issued upon application at any of the diplomatic representations of Uganda, Kenya &  Rwanda, at the Immigration offices of the respective countries or online, where applicable.