Only 1,560 people have applied for the East Africa single tourist visa since its launch in February. The Kenya Tourists Federation, which represents private players in the industry, said the anticipated enthusiastic uptake of the product was dampened by Kenya’s security situation.
“The uptake has been slow because Kenya, which is seen as a big brother in the region is struggling due to real and perceived security threats that have reduced our international tourist arrivals numbers,” said Ms Agatha Juma, CEO Kenya Tourism Federation.
Ms Juma also attributed the slow uptake to lack of awareness among tourism players in the three countries-Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda that already signed up to the single tourist visa. She said most of them did not know what they can sell within their own countries, let alone in the neighbouring ones. “The challege hampering the sale of a multi-country package is the lack of marketing,” she said.
To promote awareness, KTF has secured Ksh9 million from Trademark East Africa to educate tour operators about the opportunities available in the region. At the same time, stakeholders said they would lobby for diplomats and expatriates to be allowed to move within the region freely during the upcoming Heads of State meeting next week.
“If they are allowed to move around freely in the region like residents, then we stand to reap more benefits and grow the industry further,” said Mr Mike Macharia, CEO Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers.
The stakeholders have proposed 30 days for free movement.
