Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda
Joint Visa Launching at ITB
6th March, 2014
Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda made an announcement on the introduction of the East African single joint visa, which took effect
on 1st January 2014.
The Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda Ministers and
High Commissioners and Tourism Board Heads officially graced the launch
of the new cross-border visa today at Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda common
pavilion at this year’s Internationale Tourismus-Börse
(ITB) held annually in Berlin.
The tourist cross-border visa between
Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda
costs USD $100.
The single tourist visa resulted from a joint initiative and decision made
by the Heads of State of the respective countries. Before the establishment of the single entry visa for Kenya was USD $50 (approximately £30), for
Uganda was
USD $50 (approximately £30) and
Rwanda
was USD $30 (approximately £18).
Kenya’s
Minister for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Mrs Phyllis
Kandie applauded the joint tourist
move, ‘This will enrich the tourist product offering in Kenya, Rwanda
and Uganda. The region will benefit from an increase of tourists and
numbers of days spend in these countries that have a wide range of
products. The region is bound to harvest a much larger
share of the over 50 million tourists visiting Africa each year’.
The
Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board Amb. Valentine
Rugwabiza said: “The launch of the cross- border visa is
a huge milestone in our regional integration efforts that will continue
to largely benefit tourists. We have already felt its positive impact,
since January 1st, 2014, as we are noticing an increasing number of travellers to the East African region.
With this partnership, our unique selling point as a region is highlighted as we have a wide range of experiences to offer.”
“The
launch of the East Africa single tourism visa at the Rwanda, Uganda and
Kenya tripartite meeting is a strong signal of the East
African commitment to the integration process and marketing East Africa
as a single destination. The visitors from our source markets will be
able to benefit from the Multiple Entry Visa provision to tour the
sister countries.” Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, the
Uganda Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques confirmed.
Uganda
is delighted to join her neighbours in providing greater value for the
tourists and facilitating the movement of people through
the Great Rift Valley states that share much commonality but provide a
diverse range of natural and cultural attractions. The minister further
notes that this initiative will make the region more competitive and is
bound to reduce the cost of doing business
in the region.
The introduction of the Joint tourist visa has so far boosted regional travel, adding value to the tourism product
offerings of these countries and highlighted the diversity of East Africa.
-Ends-
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