Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have announced the operationalisation of the East Africa Tourist Visa, which is operational since 1st January 2014 and officially launched by the Heads of States of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on the 20th February 2014 in Kampala.
Up to 31st December 2013, tourists travelling between the neighbouring East African countries must obtained a separate visa for each nation, therefore Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have partnered in order to simplify travel arrangements for holidaymakers, as well as creating a new brand for the whole region in turn opening up opportunities for joint marketing campaigns.
Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda are three countries famed for their wildlife, which is, through the introduction of a joint visa, boost regional travel, adding value to the tourism product offerings of these countries and highlighting the diversity of East Africa.
Our three Presidents are strong believers in Regional integration, including in the management of our tourism assets. The introduction of the single tourist visa is a result of a joint initiative and decision made by the Heads of State of the respective countries.
Tourism in East Africa region is a cornerstone of our economy. The political will has allowed us today to launch the implementation of a single visa and subsequently one destination in a record time of the previous six months.
As a Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda we believe that we will benefit from increase travellers to the region as well as intra regional movement.
The Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda joint visa costs ONLY USD $100 (approximately £60.00). The previous cost of a single entry visa for Kenya was USD $50 (approximately £30), for Uganda was USD $50 (approximately £30) and Rwanda was USD $30 (approximately £18).
The cross-border visa will support intra-regional travel between the participating countries through new joint marketing and trade opportunities.’
We are proud to invite our future tourists to experience a more accessible eastern Africa region.
Since January 1st 2014, Visitors to our region are benefiting from the new, more convenient multi-nation visa and seeing the improvements in security, immigration systems, infrastructure and capacity building that this system brings.’
With the introduction of our cross-border visa we unite to promote the dramatic and varied landscapes, species and experiences that our nations offer.
Through this new partnership our USPs will be highlighted from Kenya’s lions and Rwanda’s Gorillas to Uganda’s waterfalls while we work as one to add value to the regional tourism product overall.’
Today, we celebrate another milestone in East African Tourism, the impending transformation of our three markets into one seamless tourist offering through the issuance of a single tourist visa for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda – Single visa, one destination.
We believe the introduction of a single visa strengthens our value proposition as a region, allowing us to eventually promote our dramatic and varied, flora and fauna, our varied landscapes and cultural experience.
On a single visa, a tourist can enjoy Kenya’s sandy beaches and majestic lions, Uganda’s waterfalls and magic music, or Rwanda’s rolling hills and rare mountain Gorilla’s. Under this initiative the Tourist is the winner.
We seek to provide a smoother and cheaper process that gives you pass to a better banquet of touristic experiences.
At this ITB we are calling upon our ongoing partners and invite for the new ones to make use of this East Africa Tourist Visa which is coming as additional USP in the promotion of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda as must see destination. We are ready to welcoming and taking care of you.
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