Attempts aimed at drawing in more visitors into the East African region have acquired momentum, with a number of officials promising to mutually market Rwanda, Uganda plus Kenya as a single destination for tourists at forthcoming expos plus major events within the East African Community – EAC and internationally.
Some of the key forthcoming events which this region plans to jointly promote include the Martyrs Day commemorated in Uganda on the 3rd of June, Kwita Izina held in Rwanda slated for 21st of June, the Magical Expo in Kenya scheduled in October as well as in November at the World Travel Market held in London.
This strategy was publicized by the tripartite initiative’s national coordinator Monique Mukaruliza, while updating on the advancement of the marketing initiative during the ministerial meeting held to talk about modalities of the execution directives of the projects on the Northern Corridor integration.
Mukaruliza informed the people at the meeting that the foreign missions of these 3 nations had already started marketing this region as one single tourist destination.
Just one month back, the 3 countries had a joint exhibition plus promotion in South Africa at the Indaba Fair, which is considered to be the biggest travel trade show on the African continent.
Mukaruliza went on to say that these 3 countries were as well taking on different campaigns to create knowledge about the not so long ago introduced single tourist visa to make easier the process of promoting this region as one tourist package destination.
The inter-country visa enables tourists to move between Rwanda, Kenya as well as Uganda at only $100. This comes as a result of a combined initiative as well as a decision by the presidents of these 3 nations to market tourism the 3 member countries.
Prior to the introduction of this single tourist visa, Uganda plus Kenya used to charge a fee of $50, whereas Rwanda charged $30 per entrance.
At the moment, Tourists can now enjoy various activities inside the 3 member countries at a reasonably priced fee rather than paying separate charges and also wasting time at the borders, thus making this region even more competitive and also attractive to several visitors.
The plan is anticipated to make certain that the three states have a large share of the estimated fifty million tourists that visit this continent every year.
Joe Ole Lenku who is the Interior Cabinet Secretary for Kenya said that through the combination of services like tourism, this region is going to boost its capacity to trade with other countries in the world.
Each of these countries prides in a rich cultural and historical back ground, offering you an opportunity to enjoy their thrilling and sad past such as the mass murder in Rwanda in the early 90’s during the Genocide, the region has a wide array of African tribes each with its unique language and amazing culture, explore the various wildlife parks and game reserves to see the different birds and animals among which are Africa’s Big Five, the mountain Gorillas plus the rare tree climbing lions.