Indaba glimpses triple visa

HERE IT IS: Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda tourism ministers flank Rwanda High Commissioner to South Africa, Vincent Karega at the launch in Durban.

DURBAN, South Africa - Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda ministers, High Commissioners, Heads of Tourism Boards, tour operators and well-wishers officially launched of the new cross-border visa at the Indaba Fair.

“This Single Tourist Visa is a benchmark in our journey and commitment to making the three countries the best and competitive destination and putting our region on the world travel map,” the Rwanda Ambassador to South Africa, Vincent Karega said.

Karega said such an initiative was a success story and great signal that the three Heads of State are conscious that tourism is at the forefront of economic development.

“We are confident and proud of this integration endeavour that comes at the right time and will benefit tourists by eliminating multiple visa process thereby boosting tourism revenues and investments in the region,” he said.

The Indaba Fair is Africa’s top tourism and travel show held annually in Durban South Africa.

Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda made an announcement on the East Africa single joint visa, which took effect on 1st January 2014 and therefore the tourist cross-border visa between the three countries will cost $100.

Guests at the function were reminded that before the coming of the single entry visa, a visa to Kenya cost $50, Uganda $50 and Rwanda $30.

“The launch of the East Africa single tourism visa at the Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya tripartite meeting is a strong signal of the East Africa commitment to the integration process and marketing East Africa as a single destination, ” Dr. Maria Mutagamba, the Uganda Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques confirmed.

She said visitors from the source markets will be able to benefit from the Multiple Entry Visa provision to tour the three sister countries.

“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,” she said.

“The region will benefit from an increase of tourists and number of days spent in these countries that have a wide range of products,” Kenya’s Minister for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Mrs Phyllis Kandie

She said the region was bound to harvest a much larger share of the over 50 million tourists visiting Africa each year’

By Agnes Bateta, Saturday, May 17th, 2014


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