Newyork,  May 4, 2022: The East Africa Tourism Platform Chairperson, Mr. Fred Odek, has addressed the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Thematic Debate on the theme "Putting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery."

The High-Level Thematic Debate provides the opportunity for Member States, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss strategies, share best practices and experiences in the tourism industry to stimulate the sector post COVID-19. It aims to renew political commitment to support tourism as a driver of a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On behalf of Tourism Practitioners in East Africa, Mr. Odek commended the work done by the United Nations on sustainable tourism and recovery through its agencies.

 "From Wildebeest over the savannah in the Serengeti-Massai Mara ecosystem, rhinos stand in the shade in Ngorongoro crater and Chimpanzees in Western Tanzania's Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains parks, to mention a few,” Mr. Odek said.

 "The hospitality sector has also suffered but is recovering. Currently, our estimations are that occupancy levels are is still below 40% in the region. COVID-19 vaccine uptake is still low in the region at less than 20% of the population however, infections have reduced tremendously.”

The tourism industry in East Africa is relying a lot on domestic and regional tourism to mitigate the consequences of the crisis, Mr. Odek said. The EATP, the EAC with the support of Trade Mark East Africa and GIZ, launched the Tembea Nyumbani campaign which has now reached 20 million people to encourage East Africa to visit their region.

"East Africa is safe and open to welcome you. As we say in Swahili, KARIBU SANA!

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