Kenya in joint tourism deal with Rwanda, Uganda

Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have recently agreed to collaborate in setting up a joint marketing stand to boost tourism in the region. This decision follows the successful launch of the tourist single visa in 2014, a significant step towards implementing borderless tourism in East Africa. The sixth edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo launch highlighted this partnership, aiming to leverage the unique attractions of each country to attract more visitors and promote regional tourism. The tourism sector in Kenya showed promising signs of recovery with a 14% growth in the first quarter of 2016, with hopes of welcoming 1.5 million tourists by the end of the year. Jimi Kariuki, Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board, joined CNBC Africa to discuss this exciting initiative and shed light on the sector's progress and future prospects. Kariuki expressed optimism about the sector's performance, citing a significant increase in arrivals from key markets such as Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, India, and China. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in promoting East Africa as a unified tourism destination and encouraged other countries in the region to join the agreement. The tripartite agreement between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda aims to capitalize on the individual strengths of each country to collectively showcase the diverse offerings of the region, including iconic attractions like the Great Migration in Kenya, the Murchison Falls in Uganda, and the gorillas in Rwanda. The introduction of a single visa allowing seamless travel between the three countries has further facilitated tourism in the region, promoting ease of movement for visitors. While Burundi and Tanzania opted not to participate in the joint marketing initiative, Kariuki remained optimistic about the potential for future collaboration and stressed the benefits of unity in driving tourism growth. The focus on domestic tourism has also been crucial for the sector's recovery, with local travel accounting for a significant portion of bed nights in Kenya. Kariuki highlighted the increasing emphasis on promoting domestic travel and the positive impact it has had on the industry. Additionally, the growing interest in South Africa as an emerging market has led to enhanced connectivity and increased visits between the two countries. Kariuki underlined the importance of strategic partnerships and targeted promotion to attract visitors from diverse markets and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Despite challenges such as security concerns, the Kenyan government's efforts to enhance safety and promote the country as a tourist-friendly destination have yielded positive results. The strong participation and positive feedback received at events like the Magical Kenya Travel Expo signal a shift in perceptions and a growing confidence in Kenya's tourism sector. As East Africa looks towards a future of collaborative marketing and regional integration, the partnership between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda sets a promising precedent for driving tourism growth and showcasing the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region.