EAST AFRICA TOURISM PLATFORM NEW VISA REGIME FOR UGANDA
TOURISM PUBLIC- PRIVATE SECTOR DIALOGUE BEARS FRUITS: Uganda’s Visa Fees Reduced To US $50 This month we have been treated to bounties of good news in the East African region. First, the 27th African Union Summit was held in Rwanda. Second, Rwanda’s first Convention Centre was launched by His Excellency President Kagame. Third, Radison Blu Hotel– Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s second property in East Africa opened its doors in the City of Kigali. Fourth, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 14) is currently being held in Kenya; spotlighting positive global attention on the region. Fifth, and most importantly, the Ugandan government has finally reviewed downwards its visa to US $50 as from 22nd of July, after years of intense lobbying by the Uganda private sector. EATP warmly welcomes this latest development by the Ugandan Authorities; given the fact that, visa fees are one of the contributing factors to the decline in tourist arrivals to the region. At EATP, we celebrate this milestone as it is part of our strategic advocacy and lobbying endeavours with numerous public-private engagements. We hope that reduction in visa fees will stimulate demand for not only Uganda but also the entire EAC region leading to inter and intra- regional tourism and expenditure. However, a lot needs to be done as pertains to the multiplicity of issues in need of our urgent attention and action. We need to read from the same script and keep the dream of a single EAC tourism destination alive by harmonizing tourism policies and standards across the region. Multiple visa requirements within the region may hinder the vision of a single destination and even the growth of regional tourism. There is enormous cost incurred in terms of time, money and paperwork, with visa requirements at all entry points in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan and Kenya. Simplifying visa requirements, pricing, accessibility and application should be our first priority. A joint tourist visa increases the region’s appeal and competitiveness. EATP urges full support for the adoption of the single tourist visa and appeals to Burundi and Tanzania to join other East African countries in adopting it. We need to harmonise the glaring differences in visa fees urgently. With Kenya charging US$ 50, Tanzania, US$ 50, Rwanda, US$ 30 and Burundi US$ 50; there is need for further visa reviews. In this celebratory mood, we need to refocus our attention on the big picture. There are more issues in need of proactive action, such as product development, marketing, investment in human capital and infrastructure, which are key pillars in the single EAC tourism destination. The current visa reviews provides evidence that publicprivate sector engagements yield enormous results and energizes our lobbying and advocacy spirit. Let’s keep the momentum going.
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EAST AFRICA TOURISM PLATFORM Kenya Tourism Federation – Secretariat| KWS Headquarters – Langata Road, P.O. Box 15013-00509, Nairobi| Tel: +254208001000/3/1| Mobile: +254724624538 Facebook: East Africa Tourism Platform| Twitter: @TourismEA| Skype: tourismea