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Kenya, Rwanda collaborate to drive intra tourism in the region
In a bid to promote tourism in the region, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, and the East Africa Tourism Platform have signed a partnership agreement that will see both parties work together to conduct joint-marketing activities that will drive visitors to the countries’ attractions and experiences. Yves Ngenzi, Technical Advisor at East Africa Tourism Platform joins CNBC Africa for more.
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:34:21 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The partnership agreement aims to enhance regional tourism competitiveness through joint marketing activities and knowledge exchange.
- Efforts are being made to address the high costs of flights within the region and promote more affordable travel options.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of regional and domestic tourism for sustaining the industry amidst global crises.
In a move to bolster tourism in the region, the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, and the East Africa Tourism Platform have come together to sign a partnership agreement. The aim of this agreement is to collaborate on marketing activities that will attract more visitors to the countries' attractions and experiences. Yves Ngenzi, the Technical Advisor at the East Africa Tourism Platform, shed light on the details of this partnership in an interview with CNBC Africa.
The agreement, signed by key players in the tourism industry such as the East Africa Tourism Platform, Rwanda Development Board, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, and Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, marks a significant step towards promoting regional tourism. The partnership seeks to address the various challenges faced in facilitating regional tourism, particularly amidst the ongoing pandemic. Through this collaboration, the parties involved aim to enhance the competitiveness of the region as a tourism destination.
One of the key aspects of this partnership is the joint marketing and promotional efforts that will be undertaken to showcase the tourism offerings of both Kenya and Rwanda. By working together on marketing initiatives, the two countries aim to attract both business and leisure tourists. The activities planned under this partnership include familiarization trips for operators from Kenya to Rwanda, as well as business-to-business engagements to explore potential opportunities. This concerted effort is expected to increase tourist flows between the two nations and promote knowledge exchange and best practices in the travel industry.
One major hurdle in intra-region tourism within Africa has been the high cost of flights. It is often more affordable for individuals to travel from Rwanda to destinations like Dubai than to local destinations within the East African region. Addressing this issue is crucial for promoting tourism within the region. Discussions are ongoing with various stakeholders, including governments and regional bodies like the East African Community (EAC), to explore ways to lower the costs associated with air travel. Initiatives such as air liberalization and reducing levies and taxes on flights are being considered to make travel within the region more accessible and affordable.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector has been profound, leading to a significant drop in international tourism bookings and revenues. Operators in the region have been forced to reevaluate their strategies and look towards local and regional markets for sustainability. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of diversifying tourism offerings and building stronger public-private partnerships to weather such crises. Domestic and regional tourism have emerged as critical sectors for sustaining the industry in the face of challenges such as border closures and travel restrictions.
Yves Ngenzi emphasized the need for a collaborative approach in revitalizing the tourism sector, stating that up to 75% of tourism revenues in the region were lost due to the pandemic. The partnership between Kenya and Rwanda signifies a proactive effort to drive tourism recovery and stimulate economic growth in the region. By focusing on joint marketing activities, knowledge exchange, and addressing key challenges like flight costs, the collaboration is poised to create a more conducive environment for tourism growth and development in East Africa and beyond.
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