Tourism grows in prominence as African governments position the sector in their agenda

Image by Sopotnicki (Image Supplied)

Following Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive after taking the oath of office for the second term on 28 November 2017, Africans visiting the country will henceforth receive a visa on arrival, in a move to further enhance collaboration between Kenya and her African counterparts.

“The freer we are to travel and live with one another, the more integrated and appreciative of our diversity we will become,” emphasised Uhuru during his inaugural speech.

Tackling the visa challenge

Kenya joins 21 other African countries that have scrapped or lessened visa restrictions for Africans - among them Ghana, Seychelles, Mauritius, Benin, and Rwanda. These efforts by African governments to adopt visa liberalisation policies are towards the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 policy document that outlines seamless borders and could increase Africa’s tourism revenue by about 25%.

“The visa challenge has in most cases hindered Africans who wish to tour the continent. Such a move by the Kenyan government as well as other African governments that have already implemented the policy is a major endorsement on the tourism sector. After a significant drop in performance during the electioneering period, we believe this will boost tourism numbers especially during this festive season,” says Jumia Travel Kenya’s country manager, Cyrus Onyiego.

East Africans will now only require an identity card to travel, do business, and live in Kenya. Like her East African compeer, Rwanda also recently announced that from 1 January 2018, travellers from across the world will receive a 30-day visa on arrival from the previous policy that was only open to Africans. This will no doubt enhance Rwanda’s trade relations with the rest of the world, but also further grow tourism’s prominence both in the country and within the East African region.

Welcoming the world: Rwanda to start issuing visas on arrival for all countries

Arthur Chatora  20 Nov 2017

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