Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania Tel Aviv, Israel


The East African Community (EAC) has launched the EAC regional and domestic tourism media campaign set to publicise national and regional tourism products and services, in a move aiming at stimulating intra-regional travel. Dubbed "Tembea Nyumbani", the campaign seeks to entice East Africans to travel in their specific countries and around the region, in an effort to revive domestic and regional tourism across the region, amid the pandemic.

The campaign is part of implementation of the EAC Tourism Marketing Strategy and EAC Recovery Plan supported by German Development Agency, GIZ. Tourism contributes significantly to the economies of EAC Partner States and pre-pandemic, contributing 10 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 17 percent export earnings and 7 percent in jobs creation. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the sector affected negatively with international tourism arrivals in East Africa dropping by about 67,7 percent, to an estimated 2,25 million arrivals in 2020 compared to 6,98 million in 2019.

Speaking during the media launch EAC Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki urged tourism private sector players to extend affordable packages to East Africans so as to entice them into taking advantage of the holiday offers available during the upcoming festive season. With preferential entry fees and rates now extended to EAC citizens, it is timely for East Africans to explore the diverse cultures, take on adventure safaris and visit exotic beaches amongst other opportunities the region has to offer.

Dr. Mathuki further noted that EAC has developed an EAC Pass that integrates and validates COVID-19 tests and vaccination certificates for EAC Partner States to ease entry across the region. The Tembea Nyumbani campaign is being undertaken by the EAC in collaboration with the East African Tourism Platform that represents the tourism businesses across the region. Through the campaign, hoteliers and other tourism service providers are being encouraged to promote affordable packages to the EAC citizens.

On his part, EAC Director in charge of Productive Sectors, Jean Baptiste Havugimana noted that the EAC was making strides in ensuring the Single Tourist Visa is adopted by all EAC Partner States. "The Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management, during their Extraordinary meeting held on July 15, 2021, recommended that the Secretariat convene a multi-sectoral meeting comprising key sectors such as Tourism and Wildlife, Immigration and Security to develop a framework for introduction of the Single Tourist Visa by all the Partner States," he said.

Mr. Havugimana noted that the meeting will be convened early 2022, adding that once fully adopted the Visa will ease travel by foreign tourists across the entire region. Further, EAC Principal Tourism Officer, Simon Kiarie, noted that EAC projects that with aggressive tourism efforts both at the regional and national levels, the region will be able to receive about 4 million tourists in 2022. "The tourism sector's recovery has been on an upward trajectory and we expect that by the year 2024, we will receive about 7 million tourists compared to 2,25 million tourists recorded in 2020, " he noted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania Tel Aviv, Israel.

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com


© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.