Single tourist visa: Is private sector up to the challenge?

At the beginning of this month, the single tourist visa, which aims at promoting the tourism sector across three East African Community countries Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, came into force. Uganda plans to implement the tripartite agreement next month. Rwanda and Kenya have already kick-started the project by issuing the single tourist visa stickers, according to Emmanuel Werabe, the Rwanda Development Board tourism quality and standards manager. Werabe said the remaining task was to sensitise the private sector on how they stand to benefit from the initiative in order for them to come up with suitable packages for tourists travelling within the three countries. “So far, visa stickers have been processed and distributed to the respective High Commissions and immigration offices of the three countries,” he said. “Uganda delayed because of some technicalities which we hope they will sort out soon. Otherwise, tourists can now apply for a single visa online or get them from our embassies,” he added. Under the tripartite arrangement, the multiple-entry visa that is valid for three months, costs $100 (Rwf67,000) and is paid for at the point of entry in a member country or foreign missions. This is decrease in fees from $150 (Rwf100,000) or more depending on how a country used to charge before the implementation of the initiative. The issuing country then takes $40 of the $100, including $10 for administration costs, while the other two states share the remaining $60 equally. A holder of a single tourist visa is able to move around the three countries without seeking any other travel document, which reduces costs of movement for tourists across the three countries and could attract more tourists into the three partner states. Charles Muia, the Serena Hotels Rwanda country manager, who doubles as the vice-chair of the Rwanda Hotels Association, said the hotel industry in the three countries need to standardise rates to further make the package more attractive to tourists. He urged tours and travel agents to put in more effort and market the region as a single tourist destination, which he said will also link more tourists to other service providers. “We are discussing with travel and tours associations to plan on what packages to offer the tourists who want to visit the three countries,” he said. He noted that Tanzania would lose out as many tourists will prefer to visit wild game in Kenya and gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda on one deal. “I foresee Tanzania wanting to come on board in the future because the main game in Serengeti National Park, which tourists go to see is the wildebeest, but due to the reported drying up of Mara River they will reduce,” he explained. “At the end of the day, tourists will prefer to visit Kenya, “Uganda and Rwanda since the countries are now marketed as a single tourist destination with everything. The hotels are ready,” he said. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras annually migrate between Tanzania and Kenya. The animals’ stampede through the Mara River one of nature’s most spectacular events. But now the watercourse is drying up, this could put off some tourists. Tanzania, mid-this month ruled out joining the proposed East African single tourist visa, arguing that it is a threat to its security and economy. While Burundi, on the other hand was tasked to attain a certain level of political stability before joining the project. Manzi Kayihura, the chairman of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association and owner of a Thousand Hills Expeditions, was optimistic they will get more tourist bookings, adding that the new hotel projects being opened up will further enhance the region’s opportunities. “We were already marketing the East African Community as a one destination before, but with the single tourist visa, it makes it easier for us to market the three countries, while tourists get much more convenient packages at same time,” he said.

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Single tourist visa: Is private sector up to the challenge?