Rwanda to host East Africa Tourism Platform secretariat

Rwanda has recently been named as the newest host for the secretariat of the East Africa Tourism Platform, a significant milestone for the country's tourism industry. The announcement, made on June 30th, marks a pivotal moment for Rwanda as it seeks to enhance tourism linkages and promote regional tourism business deals. This decision comes as an important step towards revitalizing the struggling tourism industry in the region, which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The East Africa Tourism Platform, established in 2011, has received a $250,000 financial boost as part of a two-year partnership deal with Trademark East Africa. This funding will play a crucial role in supporting the operations of the platform and strengthening tourism linkages across the East African region. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Frank Gisha Mugisha, the Director General of the Rwanda Tourism Chamber, shed light on the significance of this partnership and its potential impact on the regional tourism industry. One of the key themes highlighted by Mugisha is the importance of strengthening tourism linkages as a recovery response to COVID-19. He emphasized the enormous contribution of the tourism sector to the economies of countries in the region, with tourism playing a significant role in GDP and employment generation. By focusing on enhancing regional tourism business deals and capacity building, the partnership aims to drive growth and promote East Africa as a preferred tourism destination. The $250,000 funding from Trademark East Africa will be directed towards various initiatives aimed at building exporter tourism capabilities. This includes developing marketing materials for Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, the members of the East Africa Tourism Platform. Additionally, the funding will support efforts to expand continental markets and attract investment in the tourism value chain, further positioning East Africa as a leading tourism destination. In conclusion, Rwanda's appointment as the host of the East Africa Tourism Platform secretariat is a significant milestone that underscores the country's commitment to promoting tourism in the region. The partnership with Trademark East Africa and the financial support provided will play a crucial role in driving the recovery and growth of the regional tourism industry. With a focus on strengthening tourism linkages and expanding market opportunities, the future looks promising for tourism in East Africa.