Various ministers and high commissioners of the East Africa held a joint exhibition and promotion of the new tripartite initiative- Destination East Africa in a campaign to create awareness of the single tourist visa and the implementation of marketing East Africa as a single travel region.
The cross-border visa enables tourists to travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda at . It is a result of a joint initiative and a decision by the Heads of State of East African countries that aims to increase tourism among these nations. Tourists are now able to enjoy variety in the three partner states at an affordable fee instead of paying different charges at borders, making the region more competitive and attractive to visitors. I personally haven't yet traveled to other East African countries but with the implementation of this momentous initiative, I have every reason to tour East Africa! I hope you will too
The integration of services in tourism can also be deemed as a decisive and exigent move at a crucial time in the global travel and trade market amid recent negative impact of the security threat on tourism in Kenya. This move will certainly increase East Africa region trading capacity and is expected to ensure the countries have a significant share of the more than 50 million tourists who visit the continent annually.
Speaking with trade exhibitors at the Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania stands, the consensus was the same, excitement at the prospect of potential of the initiative to widen the tourism market for the region, the benefits of the tripartite agreement for each country and a great sense of unity within the East African countries.
To culminate East Africa stand held a celebration to mark the ongoing coalition of the East Africa Region in an elaborate ceremony and celebration of diversity, cultures, exotic foods, heritage. All in all the event was a massive success, I was honoured to partake as the Face of Kenya UK, but mostly to make a positive contribution in the affairs of our nation and in the engagement of the diaspora as the Face of Kenya UK 2014!
My next post feature will cover my day at the Commonwealth Fair!
Yours Truly
Laviniah