With the launch of the East African Community single tourist visa Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda governments, are promoting the East African Community (EAC) region as a single tourist location. At the ongoing Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB, Berlin) the three nations are sharing a porch to publicize the region’s tourism prospective.
The new cross-border visa concept is a mutual idea and decision made by the Heads of State of the three countries. Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer, Valentine Rugwabiza, stated that the project would help boost and attract more visitors to the region. Phyllis Kandie, Kenya’s Minister for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, said that the project would allow three countries to share the 50 million tourists that annually visit the continent. Dr Maria Mutagamba, Uganda Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques said the initiative would make the region more competitive and reduce the cost of doing business in the community.
Prior to the establishment of the single entry visa, countries charged various tariffs. A visit to Kenya or Uganda cost US$ 50. Rwanda charged USD $30.
The new visa, which allows the tourist to visit all the attractions in three countries, a progress that is predicted to produce more revenue for the member states.
