Regional tourist visa unveiled in Turkey

Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya this week extended marketing of the East African single tourism visa to Turkey. The diplomatic heads of the countries alongside the Chargé d’Affaires of South Sudan were present at the event in Ankara. “The events brought together representatives of travel agencies from various provinces of Turkey, press teams from both private and public media houses and businesses, especially in tourism and hotel industry,” said Eric Rugamba an official in the Rwandan embassy in Ankara. All three heads of missions explained the advantages the single tourism visa offers to tourists visiting the region. The three countries also exhibited some of their national produce, with Rwanda having its coffee and tea served alongside Kenyan coffee, among others. The new $100-visa, launched by the respective Heads of State early this year, allows tourists to visit Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda without paying additional charges. Tourism officials from the three countries have maintained that the visa will help market the region as a single tourist destination and attract more visitors to the region. Before the establishment of the single entry visa, each country charged its own fee.