Kenya in joint tourism deal with Rwanda, Uganda

Kenya has entered into a joint tourism marketing agreement with Uganda and Rwanda to sell the region as a single tourist destination.

The move is aimed at attracting more tourists by leveraging on the diverse offering in the three countries.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said that the marketing strategy will ease tourist movement in the region.

This follows agreement by the three partner state in 2014 to use the cheaper single entry visa to allow free movement of tourists within the region to flourish the tourism industry.

Mr Balala noted that the use of the UNI VISA has however not gained popularity due to lack of awareness among the tourist and poor marketing strategy.

During the opening of the 6th Magical Kenya Tourism Expo, The CS said the joint marketing is expected to kick off in November with respective tourism boards working under the East African Tourism Platform.

“We have resolved that we are going to work together as the three countries to become one tourist destination,” Mr Balala said.

He added that the three states will jointly market the east African community in the upcoming London expo as one destination in a bid to boost the flow of tourists into the EAC region.

Mr Balala said this will speed up of the East African Visa that allows tourists to get just one visa to access the three countries.

“The three countries have agreed that in a bid to increase tourism in the region, citizens will use their ID through member state countries and issue one UNIVISA to international visitors visiting the countries the rate of 100 dollars instead of 150 dollars,” the CS said.

The removal of visa barriers allow the tourists to use the same visa they acquire at the point of entry into the EAC region, to access all the three countries without paying any extra fees or stopping into other embassies.